People Advisor

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide first-line advice and guidance to managers and employees on People policies, procedures and good employment practice.
• Support managers in the application of attendance, probation, performance management, flexible working, family leave and other routine employee relations processes.
• Respond to employee enquiries, providing clear, consistent and customer-focused advice, escalating complex or high-risk matters where appropriate.
• Support managers in resolving routine people issues, ensuring organisational policies are applied fairly and consistently.
• Signpost managers to appropriate policies, guidance, learning resources and specialist support where required.

• Coordinate administrative processes throughout the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, contractual changes and leavers.
• Prepare contracts of employment, offer letters and employment-related correspondence.
• Process changes to terms and conditions, salary amendments and contractual variations.
• Ensure all employee records are accurate, complete and maintained in accordance with organisational procedures and legislative requirements.
• Support probation, confirmation, contract renewal and exit processes.

• Coordinate recruitment activity from advertisement through to appointment, acting as the main contact for recruiting managers and candidates.
• Provide advice to managers on recruitment procedures, safer recruitment requirements and recruitment best practice.
• Arrange interviews and assessment activities, supporting recruitment panels with administration and logistics.
• Coordinate pre-employment checks, references, right to work documentation and employment offers.
• Support the process for obtaining and renewing staff visas as appropriate.
• Support the delivery of onboarding and induction activities, ensuring new colleagues have a positive employee experience.

• Provide day-to-day operational support across the wider People team, working flexibly to meet changing priorities.
• Maintain accurate electronic employee records and personnel files.
• Prepare standard correspondence, reports and employment documentation.
• Coordinate monthly payroll changes, ensuring accurate and timely submission of information relating to salary, contractual changes, allowances and employee benefits.
• Support the administration of pensions, benefits and other employee reward arrangements.
• Respond to routine payroll and benefits enquiries and liaise with payroll providers where required.
• Ensure confidential information is handled appropriately and in accordance with GDPR and organisational policies.

• Maintain accurate employee information within the HR Information System.
• Support managers and employees with routine HR systems queries.
• Produce routine workforce reports, management information and people metrics.
• Carry out data validation, system audits and quality assurance activities to maintain data integrity.
• Assist with maintaining organisational structures, reporting lines and workflows within People systems.
• Support the implementation of new technologies, digital processes and AI-enabled solutions that improve efficiency and enhance the employee experience.

• Provide operational and administrative support for employee relations casework, including preparing documentation, arranging meetings and maintaining confidential records.
• Monitor absence, probation, fixed-term contracts and other employee-related processes, identifying issues that require follow-up.
• Support consultation exercises, organisational change projects and policy implementation.
• Maintain accurate records relating to formal People procedures and contribute to ensuring legal compliance.

• Coordinate learning and development activities, including booking training, maintaining learning records and supporting organisational development initiatives.
• Support employee engagement, wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion and other employee experience initiatives.
• Assist with internal communications relating to People activities and organisational change.
• Support organisation-wide People events and initiatives.
• Provide organisational and administrative support in relation to Trade Union and staff liaison

• Identify opportunities to improve People processes, systems and ways of working.
• Contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidance notes and standard operating procedures.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance customer service, operational efficiency and the effective use of technology and AI-enabled processes.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and excellent customer service across the People Function.

• Maintain the highest standards of confidentiality and professionalism in relation to employee and organisational information.
• Build effective working relationships with managers, employees and colleagues across ODI Global.
• Contribute to departmental planning and the delivery of the People Strategy.
• Keep knowledge of employment legislation, HR best practice and organisational policies up to date.
• Undertake other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post.
• Work collaboratively as required across the Team to ensure an appropriate People Service is maintained

Person Specification Essential

• Hold CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent qualification / experience.
• A knowledge of UK employment law and best practice
• Experience of effectively providing HR advice to line managers on HR, procedure and practice
• Experience of supporting managers with HR processes, including in relation to conduct, performance, absence management and recruitment
• Experience of providing high-quality administrative support within an HR or People environment.
• Good understanding of employee lifecycle processes.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate records.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to provide professional and customer-focused support to managers and employees.
• Experience of maintaining confidential information appropriately.
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office and experience of using HR systems and databases.
• Ability to work independently whilst contributing effectively as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive working relationships.
• Ability to identify opportunities to improve processes and service delivery.

• Experience of recruitment administration.
• Experience of payroll administration.
• Experience working within the charity, research or international development sectors.
• Experience of working in a unionized enviroment
• Experience supporting organisational change or consultation processes.

• Director of People
• People Partner (Operations
• People Partner (Employee Experience)
• Systems and Data ManagerLine Managers across ODI Global
• Employees across the organisation
• External HR advisors
• Finance Team
• Technology Team
• Payroll provider
• Recruitment agencies and candidates
• Occupational Health and Employee Assistance providers
• External training providers

• Positively support equality of opportunity both within ODI and externally.
• Help maintain a safe working environment and take responsibility for own and colleagues' Health and Safety.
• Undertake such other duties within the scope of their post as may be requested by their Manager.

Why should you work for us?