Interim Senior HR Policy Consultant

About the Department

We are seeking a Senior HR People Policy Consultant to support a high-profile and time-critical piece of work within the Church of England’s Safeguarding Structures Programme. This role will focus on the development of people-related policy frameworks and the implementation of organisational change processes, including the potential transfer of Safeguarding staff across the Church.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a critical programme with significant cultural and structural implications. The successful candidate will have strong research and analytical skills, experience in drafting policy or governance documents, staff transfers (e.g. TUPE or equivalent) and the ability to work flexibly across a wide range of tasks in a complex, ambiguous organisational environment.

About the Role

This role will focus on the development of people-related policy frameworks and the implementation of organisational change processes, including the potential transfer of Safeguarding staff across the Church.

Responsibilities

Policy Development

• Conduct comparative research and benchmarking into safeguarding and organisational models in other sectors (e.g. NHS, local government, shared services, charities) to ensure alignment with employment law, best practice, and Church specific governance.
• Develop case studies and summaries of best practice to inform programme decision-making.
• Maintain clear audit trails of research and evidence used in policy proposals.
• Draft high-quality, technical policy papers for senior stakeholders, including detailed briefing and advice.
• Lead on the development of people-related policy frameworks, including those supporting staff transfers and organisational change.
• Collaborate with legal, financial, and safeguarding experts to ensure policy proposals are robust and implementable.
• Produce at least one comprehensive policy paper per month covering multiple themes during the development phase.

Staff Transfer & Organisational Change

• Assess the feasibility of transferring safeguarding staff from dioceses and cathedrals to an external employer.
• Support the design and implementation of staff transfer processes, including consultation, engagement, and due diligence.
• Advise on TUPE-equivalent protections and develop supporting documentation and guidance.
• Contribute to the delivery of change management activities in line with General Synod decisions.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Present complex information in accessible formats to governance boards and senior Church leaders.

Programme & Administrative Support

• Draft and format briefing papers, consultation documents, and supporting reports.
• Provide practical support to the Development Manager and Programme Director in balancing workload and meeting deadlines.
• Help coordinate information flows across HR, legal, safeguarding, and governance teams.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to conduct research, analyse information, and produce clear, well-structured written outputs.
• Proven track record in HR people policy development within complex or regulated environments.
• Experience leading or advising on staff transfers, including TUPE or equivalent processes.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities and deliver to deadlines.
• Strong background in organisational change, ideally in scrutinised or greenfield programmes.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and persuasive policy papers.
• Comfortable working at pace, with ambiguity, and across multiple stakeholder groups.

Required Skills

• Chartered CIPD membership or equivalent professional experience.
• Familiarity with governance structures in the Church of England or similar organisations.

Preferred Skills

• Researching safeguarding practice and organisational design in other organisations; identifying concepts and learning which are relevant for the Church context.
• Providing evidence-based and technical advice about governance and contractual arrangements required to support potential models for safeguarding in the Church of England.
• Providing technical advice about organisational transition, including regarding staff transfer, employment law, and the creation of legal structures.
• Developing organisational design and systems thinking models to conceptualise the changes required to Church safeguarding structures.

Remuneration

This is an initial 6 month contract and will be paying a day rate. The role has been assessed and falls in scope of IR35.

At the National Church Institutions, we are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

We welcome applications from all candidates, including those with disabilities, and are committed to providing any reasonable adjustments needed throughout the recruitment process.

If you require support to apply please feel encouraged to let us know.