Defence Business Services (DBS) HR Caseworker (HEO) Bristol

Are you a dedicated person who is passionate about making a difference?

Would you like to work for the Ministry of Defence? 

Defence Business Services (DBS) is one of the largest shared service organisations in Europe that provides a wide range of corporate services, to over 1.2 million end users, including serving and past military and families, as well as MoD civil servants and industry. DBS delivers large scale administration and smaller specialist services to enable the wider MOD to focus on its core aims, maintaining the UK’s Defence and Security. Services include Human Resources, Pay, Veterans, Finance and Procurement. 

• Our Vision - To support UK defence customers with outstanding service every time.
• Our Mission – Together we will proudly support Defence, continuously improving and delivering flexible, timely, sustainable and value for money services that underpin the whole force and enhance operational capability. 

DBS is committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues. We are building an inclusive culture and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society. 

We want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us through opportunities to develop your skills and experience. We also offer a range of flexible working patterns and support to make a fulfilling career accessible to you and offer a Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%. Where your role permits, we support a blended working approach alternatively known as hybrid working.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.  

Come and join the DBS community today! 

Job description

The MoD is one of four main suppliers of HR casework across the Civil Service through Civil Service HR.

Our Teams of HR Caseworkers provide specialist HR advice to support Employees, Line Managers and other responsible managers across on a full range of issues in accordance with HR policies and guidance.

The ACS Team is fast paced, busy and a demand lead environment. You will need to be resilient and motivated and have excellent Customer Service skills. You will predominantly be supporting customers over digital channels, therefore the ability to build rapport and trust quickly is essential however, we remain committed to travelling for business need where and when required. 

You will provide expert knowledge of the Department’s HR policies and procedures and their practical application, to include but not limited to:

• Attendance Management.
• Conduct and Discipline.
• Grievance.
• Bullying, Harassment, Discrimination, and Victimisation
• Performance, 
• Capability.
• Probation. 
• Employment Tribunals.

Person specification

Responsibilities:

You will sit within one of the Advisory and Casework (ACS) teams and report to a Senior Casework Leader. 

Your duties will include:

• Managing a range of complex HR cases effectively providing advice and guidance to managers, employees, and other responsible stakeholders in accordance with HR policy. Areas of advice will include: Attendance Management/Occupational Health, Conduct & Discipline, Performance and Capability, Grievance and complaints, including Bullying, Harassment, Discrimination and Victimisation cases, Redundancy case management, Workplace adjustments.
• Managing a full caseload, prioritising work, and working to strict timescales whilst ensuring the quality of advice and work remains high.
• Preparing effective and professional case packs for submission to Decision Makers and/or Appeal Managers for complex HR decisions, up to and including dismissal.
• Ensuring cases are handled consistently and appropriately, escalating concerns to Line Managers when necessary.
• Improving manager and business confidence and capability by coaching through workplace issues.
• Advising all MOD employees on HR policy, particularly supporting employees in resolving workplace issues, including options for formal and informal resolution.
• Supporting employees and managers with any Workplace Adjustments that are needed.
• Supporting Employment Tribunal claims, liaising with relevant internal and external stakeholders, representing MoD at Employment Tribunals as required.
• Understanding and interpreting legal requirements to develop a range of options and associated risks in respect of HR issues.
• Updating internal systems to ensure all information and details of decisions are accurately recorded.
• Participate in continuous improvement of professional delivery to enhance the service.
• Taking responsibility for your own learning and development to ensure advice is compliant with policy and employment legislation.
• Facilitating workplace dispute/meditations.
• Proactively resolve cases in line with agreed momentum model whilst reinforcing Business accountability, escalating high profile case work as appropriate through management chain. 
• Seeking to improve customer engagement whilst building customer confidence, knowledge and capability through continuous coaching and advice on suitable resolution options. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,290, Ministry of Defence contributes £9,528 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• An environment with flexible working options Monday-Friday 
• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service (pro rata). In addition to 8 public holidays per year, you will also receive leave for HM The King’s birthday
• Hybrid working where role permits
• An opportunity to be considered for Reward & Recognition- £250-£5000 per year. 
• Family-friendly policies including- parental leave and adoption leave
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• Professional and personal development of skills
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• Minimum of 15 days special leave in a rolling 12 month period for volunteer reserve commitments
• Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days per year