Learning & Organisational Development Business Partner in Lisburn

This role is vital in ensuring the successful delivery of the OD and learning function, aimed at enhancing the capacity of leaders, line managers, and the wider workforce. The post holder will lead in specific areas of the NIFRS People Strategy, aligning them with the priorities of the organisation. These areas may include leadership development, employee engagement, performance management, and coaching. The post holder will deliver an effective and efficient learning and OD function to achieve key strategic objectives and enhance the capacity of leaders, line managers, and the wider workforce. They will be part of a team that actively contributes to the delivery of the People Strategy and transformation agenda to support the achievement of NIFRS’ desired culture and behaviours. They will develop and manage large-scale, diverse, and complex OD initiatives and projects, providing a dedicated and professional learning and OD resource, supporting the management of the allocated budget for delivering L&OD services.

Main Roles and Responsibilities

• Partner with a number of defined business areas, providing expert L&OD advice to a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead the design, development and delivery of HR/L&OD objectives and projects as outlined in the NIFRS People Strategy.
• Provide expert L&OD advice and support the delivery of key strategic organisational change and learning objectives.
• Collaborate with a wide scope of internal and external stakeholders to design, develop, and implement learning and organisational development programmes.
• Supervise and manage performance of L&OD employees.
• Represent the L&OD manager as required and provide support and cover to ensure resilience as far as practicable.

Change Management/Service Improvement

• Design, develop and implement organisational change management initiatives from inception to delivery, minimising resistance and using influence to encourage buy-in.
• Conduct thorough assessments through external people frameworks, such as Investors in People, and create tailored frameworks for the organisation to measure Employee Engagement/Workforce Development, identifying complex issues and challenges within the organisation's culture and processes.
• Support the design, development and implementation of the NIFRS values and behavioural framework and code of ethics, acting as a change champion.
• Research, develop and generate recommendations for change and improvement, using a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, systems, data compilation and analysis, incorporating professional and industry best practice and benchmarking activities.
• Ensure that multiple change projects can progress simultaneously, applying project management methodology to meet agreed deadlines.
• Take a lead role in the design, delivery and management of OD&L initiatives, in line with organisational need.
• Champion, promote and embed new ideas, innovations, and ways of working.
• Influence key decision-makers and overcome resistance to promote the adoption of L&OD initiatives.
• Work closely with stakeholders in the design, delivery, development and implementation of strategies using fresh and innovative approaches.

Learning and Development & Leadership Development

• Carry out a learning needs analysis, developing strategies and plans to deliver against the same.
• Responsible for corporate compliance training against statutory obligations.
• Design and deliver training sessions, workshops, and seminars on various topics related to leadership, communication, team building, and other learning and organisational development areas.
• Act as lead assessor for leadership and management accredited qualifications, ensuring high standards in delivery and assessment in line with internal Centre requirements and UK awarding organisations.
• Design and deliver leadership programmes within the NIFRS leadership framework.
• Develop evaluation tools, reporting mechanisms, processes and metrics to assess and measure the effectiveness of learning and development initiatives.
• Co-ordinate, deliver and facilitate NIFRS leadership development conferences/masterclasses.

Essential Criteria:

• Possess a Degree or equivalent in a relevant subject.
• CIPD Level 5 qualification.
• Have Associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), with a view to reaching Chartered membership within 6 months.
• Have a minimum of 3 years’ experience of working in a Learning & Development/OD role providing specialist advice and guidance on Learning/Organisational Development matters.
• Demonstrate experience in the design and delivery/developing and implementing L&OD interventions.
• A detailed understanding of organisational dynamics, change management in the research, development and implementation of HR policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Strong facilitation, presentation, and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence diverse audiences.
• Demonstrate experience developing effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate organisational development and learning.
• Demonstrate experience in conducting Learning Needs Analysis and in the evaluation of training.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into actionable solutions.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously and effectively under competing deadlines.
• Demonstrate strong experience with IT and Digital Skills in a range of software to create tailored digital solutions to meet stakeholder requirements.
• Possess a full, current UK driving licence or have access to a form of transport which enables them to fulfil the full requirements of the job.