People Management Officer (Maternity Cover)

People Management Officer (Maternity Cover)

Contract: 7-month fixed term contractReporting to: Managing DirectorHours: Full-time position (40 hours per week) (would also consider a part-time 80% role)Salary: £35,000 - £37,000 FTE depending on experience (salary will be pro-rated for part-time working).Location: Preferably office based in Moreton-in-Marsh (direct train link to Oxford), Gloucestershire (with some flexibility for hybrid working).Benefits: We offer a flexible, inclusive, and supportive work environment. Our benefits include 25 days of annual leave (FTE), plus the days off between Christmas and New Year, and public holidays. We also offer enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with flexible working arrangements to help staff maintain a healthy work-life balance. We are an equal opportunities employer and value collaboration, diversity, and the unique contributions of each individual, and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

About Forest Peoples Programme

Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) is an international NGO that has been working with Indigenous Peoples and forest peoples for 35 years since it was established in 1990. As of 2026, we work in 18 countries across South and Central America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, with over 50 partners based in the tropical forest belt. We work directly and in solidarity with communities and peoples, supporting them to secure their rights to their traditional lands, territories, and resources, protect their forests and ways of life, and choose their own futures.

Working at local, national and global levels FPP supports indigenous peoples and forest peoples to effect change from the bottom up – grounded in struggles to advance the enjoyment of their rights and seek remedy for violations. At the same time, we work to ensure the voices and priorities of indigenous peoples and forest peoples shape national and international law and policy – e.g. relating to business and human rights, climate, and biodiversity – so that resulting regulatory and market reform better serves and respects their rights.

We have 70 people on the team including human rights lawyers, anthropologists and social scientists working with communities and local organisations around the global tropical belt. Up to half of the team live and work from their homes around the world.

Role Summary

The People Management Officer will provide professional people management and HR advisory support to FPP, working closely with the Managing Director and wider FPP team across a range of people matters while the current People Management Officer is on maternity leave.

This is a 7-month fixed-term maternity cover position, commencing on 1 January 2027. The maternity cover for the current People Management Officer will have an initial 1 month’s hand over period before she goes on leave in February and will focus on maintaining key people management activities, providing advisory support to managers and ensuring continuity across core people processes during this period.

There is a possibility, depending on funding available, following the maternity cover period, the successful candidate could be retained to join the People Management team at FPP to continue supporting FPP’s People Management function, with responsibilities evolving according to organisational priorities.

The post holder will provide a combination of operational support and people advice, contributing to a positive working environment while ensuring FPP’s policies, procedures and practices remain effective, inclusive and aligned with organisational values.

Initial priorities during maternity cover period

• During the maternity cover period, the post holder will prioritise:
• Maintaining continuity of core HR operations, including recruitment, onboarding, contracts, HR system, payroll liaison and employee records.
• Providing HR advice and support to managers and staff on day-to-day people matters.
• Supporting employee relations and more complex HR matters, escalating where appropriate.
• Providing support on safeguarding-related matters, working collaboratively with relevant colleagues to ensure appropriate processes and practices are followed.
• Supporting the Managing Director during a period of reduced HR capacity.

Possibility of Longer-Term Role Development

Following the maternity cover period, there is a possibility, funding dependant, that the role could continue to contribute to FPP’s People Management function, working alongside the Managing Director and People Management Officer to provide effective people support across the organisation. The balance of responsibilities will evolve according to organisational priorities, team capacity and the continued development of the People Management function.

Key Responsibilities

People Management Support and advice

• Act as a first point of contact for managers, providing practical HR advice and guidance across a range of people matters.
• Support managers in managing employee relational matters, including attendance, performance, conduct, wellbeing and other sensitive staff issues.
• Advise on the application of employment policies and procedures, ensuring consistency and compliance with employment legislation.
• Liaise with our external HR support provider, Citation, as required, to seek guidance and support on employment matters, HR processes and the interpretation of policies and procedures.
• Support the review and development of HR policies and procedures.
• Provide HR advice and support on international employment matters, including liaison with payroll providers and consideration of local employment requirements.
• Support the management of consultant and contractor arrangements, ensuring appropriate processes and documentation are maintained.

Recruitment, Onboarding and Employee Lifecycle

• Recruitment – advertising roles with a lens on diversity and inclusivity; receiving and collating applications; assisting with long-shortlisting; preparing the interview schedule; and inviting applicants for interview; managing the interview schedule on the day; and following up on recruitment outcomes.
• Prepare contracts of employment, contract amendments and monitor contract renewal dates.
• Coordinate onboarding and induction programmes for new staff.
• Provide advice and support to staff on maternity, paternity, adoption, sickness, compassionate leave and other employment-related processes.

Safeguarding

• Provide support and advice on safeguarding-related people matters, recognising that safeguarding concerns may involve staff, partners, consultants or communities where FPP operates.
• Support the implementation and ongoing review of FPP’s safeguarding policies, procedures and practices.

People Operations

• Maintain the Citation Atlas HR system, ensuring employee records remain accurate and up to date.
• Monitor annual leave, TOIL and other employee records.
• Coordinate the Annual Review process, including scheduling, record keeping and follow-up of agreed actions and development needs.
• Liaise with Finance regarding payroll changes.
• Prepare HR information required for audits, reporting and funding applications.

Learning, Wellbeing and Continuous Improvement

• Coordinate staff learning and development activities, including monitoring the training budget and supporting agreed development plans.
• Coordinate welfare manager allocations and welfare meetings.
• Support initiatives that promote staff wellbeing and a positive staff experience.
• Identify opportunities to improve HR systems, processes and ways of working.

Support to Leadership

• Work closely with the Managing Director and People Management Officer to support effective people management across FPP.
• Provide information and advice to support organisational decision-making.
• Provide advice and guidance to the People Management subgroup of the Programme and Coordination Management Team (PCMT).

Person specification

Essential qualities

• Experience working in a people/HR advisory role.
• Experience providing advice and guidance to managers on people-related matters.
• Experience managing and supporting employee relational matters, including providing advice on sensitive and complex issues.
• Experience working with HR systems and maintaining accurate employee records.
• Demonstrable knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Understanding of safeguarding principles and experience applying safeguarding practices within an organisation.
• Personable and well organised
• Ability to both work collaboratively and independently, prioritise effectively and manage confidential information.

Desirable qualities

• Experience working within an NGO, charity, international development or similar values-led organisation.
• HR qualification.
• Experience supporting employees across different countries and advising on international HR processes and employment requirements.
• Experience working with safeguarding issues involving partners, communities or external stakeholders.
• French and/or Spanish language competencies

Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK as visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.

FPP is an equal opportunities employer and registered charity (No. 3868836).

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