View Vacancy – MNL – Deputy Head of HR Hub Asia Pacific (HR Advisory and Recruitment), C4 (L)

The British Embassy Manila is a large diplomatic mission delivering a dynamic and rapidly expanding programme of activity in support of the UK’s objectives on prosperity, security and consular matters. The Embassy is a modern, diverse and inclusive employer where everyone contributes to the Embassy’s CORE Values of Collaboration, Opportunity, Respect and Excellence.

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy Manila has a vacancy for a Deputy Head for the Asia Pacific Regional Human Resources Hub.

The Regional HR Hub based out of the British Embassy Manila serves the Asia Pacific region, covering 36 British Embassies and Consulates General. We work with Corporate Services Teams and Senior Leaders at posts to ensure HR best practices, to support operationally, and to advise strategically.

The role of the Regional HR Hub is to provide key HR services (including recruitment, job evaluation, pay and reward, talent and performance management, and HR enquiries) to customers across the region. We provide a strategic and professional HR capability to support Regional Senior Leaders in delivery of business objectives. The Regional HR Hub forms an integral part of the global HR offer to staff working in the overseas network for the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), leading on all region-specific HR issues in collaboration with the London-based HR Directorate.

The Deputy Head reports to the Regional HR Head and will oversee the HR Hub’s day to day operations. It is a HR generalist role responsible for the oversight and delivery of key HR services and processes for Country Based Staff working at British Embassies, Consulates General, and other Offices located in the APAC Region. You will work closely with the Corporate Services Hubs, the HR Business Partner (based in London), and with HR policy leads to develop and manage HR policies and processes which are globally consistent but locally appropriate. You will also be responsible for leading and managing high-level engagement with senior stakeholders and partners in the region. 

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:

HR Operations Management (40%):

• Oversee the operations of the regional recruitment team and HR advisory team.
• Oversee delivery of HR processes including HR Direct, end-to-end recruitment, performance management, and continuous improvement in each of the process streams, scoping and implementation of new technology or systems in the Hub as required.
• Function as the HR liaison between the HR Directorate and the region on their portfolio of activity, ensuring all new HR policies are communicated and implemented within the network.
• Responsible for providing HR advisory and consulting support across the HR life cycle.
• Manage escalations and complex HR casework on recruitment and advisory.
• Provide professional and expert advice on organizational restructuring and workforce planning.
• Provide strong support to Posts and line managers on employee relations, misconduct, managing poor performance, and employee welfare.
• Review and provide recommendations to the Country Based Staff terms and conditions of service ensuring regional consistency and implementation of Global Minimum Standards (GMS).
• Maintain overview of labour relations and employment law requirements across the region.
• Keep professional knowledge up-to date, following trends, ideas and innovations occurring within the HR sphere, to ensure services standards are met and a culture of improvement grows within the hub ensuring regional consistency where possible.
• Work closely with the Deputy Head of Pay and Benefits to ensure consistency in process improvement, data handling, incident management and reporting accross all strands driving a cohesive team oriented culture within the HR Hub.
• Work closely with the Regional HR Head to ensure consistency and sharing of best practices.

Stakeholder Management (20%)

• Outreach and management of HR hub stakeholders, including Deputy Heads of Mission, Corporate Services Managers, and staff from Other Government Departments (OGDs). This will include frequent communication, both written and verbal, facilitating regional video conference and teleconference calls.
• Conduct regional bite-size learning sessions on HR trending topics.
• Provide feedback and input into Country Based Staff policies with particular reference to recruitment and advisory best practices.

Information Management and Reporting (20%)

• Establish a support service to senior stakeholders in London by analysing recruitment and advisory data and compiling reports that provide reliable information to drive decision making on Country Based Staff policy in the region.
• Develop management information (MI) & reporting dashboards and create HR knowledge database (i.e. FAQS, trending topics, terms and conditions of service inventory, APAC labour laws).
• Review team productivity against SLAs and make strategic recommendations on resourcing strategy.
• Oversee quarterly post reports and provide write-ups in the HR quarterly newsletter.
• Provide assistance to Posts in analysing employee survey results and provide advice on areas for improvement and employee intervention programs, advising Posts on their implementation plans and monitoring progress. 

Project Management and Process Improvement (10%)

• Oversee project milestones and provide tactical input to ongoing team initiatives including leading on action plans based on customer feedback.
• Manage a quality service through regular quality checks, random audits, continuous review of HR processes, services and performance measurement for the recruitment and advisory teams.
• Maintain customer satisfaction levels by gathering regular customer feedback and implement measures to improve services. 

Line Management (10%)

• Line manage HR Leads, providing guidance, feedback on performance and development, and effective delegation of work. Countersigning Officer for HR Officers.
• Work closely with Regional HR Head in business continuity planning and arrangements. Take part in the Embassy emergency planning and any response to a crisis situation.
• Deputise for Regional HR Head when necessary.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or Social Sciences.
• Minimum 8 years HR experience preferably in a HR generalist capacity.
• With at least 3 years HR operations and people management experience in a shared services environment. With strong background on employee relations and recruitment.
• Proven ability to influence senior managers in HR project rollout and implementation activities.
• Excellent organisational ability, with proven ability to manage, plan, and prioritise tasks and workload.
• Resourcefulness in solving problems and demonstrates good judgement. Ability to respond quickly and flexibly to meet multiple and changing priorities.
• A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills, proven ability to engage and influence at all levels internally and with external contacts, and collaborate effectively across Embassy teams.
• Self-motivated, team player, and results driven. Keenly aware of customer requirements.
• Excellent IT skills and office administration skills, with good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Teams).