HR Support in Salisbury

On behalf of the DSTL, we are looking for a HR Support (Inside IR35) for a 12 month contract based 3 days in Salisbury. PLEASE NOTE: SC Clearance is essential for this role.

DSTL is the Ministry of Defence (MOD)’s science and technology organisation, providing unique expertise, crucial insights and delivering battle-winning solutions for the benefit of the nation and allies. DSTL is one of the principal government organisations dedicated to science and technology in the defence and security field. DSTL supplies specialist and sensitive services to MOD and wider government, working collaboratively with external partners in industry and academia and worldwide, providing expert research, specialist advice and invaluable operational support.

As a HR, your main responsibilities will be to:

• Provide 1st and 2nd line HR support to employees and managers across a range of HR policies, procedures and processes.
• Respond to HR queries relating to leave, payroll, benefits and employee services, escalating complex matters where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee records, HR documentation and query logs.
• Prepare HR reports, management information and metrics to support management decision-making.
• Support recruitment activity, including drafting job descriptions and adverts, coordinating interviews and assisting with onboarding.
• Provide HR administrative support across the employee lifecycle.
• Support Learning & Development activity, including processing requests, liaising with relevant teams, monitoring budgets and preparing reports.
• Contribute to employee engagement initiatives and activities that support a positive employee experience.
• Provide HR support to organisational projects, programmes and wider people initiatives.
• Ensure HR processes comply with relevant legislation, data protection requirements, organisational policies and Civil Service frameworks.
• Keep up to date with changes to HR legislation, policy and best practice.
• Work collaboratively with HR colleagues, managers and stakeholders to deliver a consistent and high-quality HR service.

Essential:

• SC Clearance is essential for this role.
• Strong understanding of HR policies, procedures and processes.
• Experience providing 1st and 2nd line HR support and responding to employee and manager queries.
• Working knowledge of employment law, data protection, confidentiality and HR compliance.
• Understanding of Civil Service HR frameworks and practices.
• Experience using HR information systems and maintaining accurate employee records.
• Strong administrative, organisational and attention-to-detail skills.
• Ability to produce accurate HR reports and management information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to explain HR policies and processes clearly to employees and managers.
• Experience supporting recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Experience working collaboratively with HR colleagues, managers and wider stakeholders.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• CIPD Foundation Diploma or equivalent relevant HR experience.

Desirable:

• Experience compiling and analysing HR metrics and management information.
• Experience supporting recruitment campaigns, including drafting job descriptions or adverts and coordinating interviews.
• Experience supporting Learning & Development activity, including training requests, budget monitoring and reporting.
• Experience contributing to employee engagement initiatives.
• Experience supporting HR projects, organisational change or wider people initiatives.
• Experience working within a Civil Service or public sector HR environment.
• CIPD qualification or membership.
• Additional relevant HR training or qualifications.
• Evidence of continued professional development in HR, employment law or HR policy and practice.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas. Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, DSTL guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

DSTL guarantees to interview veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge that this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.