Mediator / Conflict Coach
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Job overview
Are you an experienced mediator keen to work in a dynamic and supportive team? Are you passionate about supporting people to create realistic and manageable ways through conflict and relationship breakdown?
We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and compassionate mediator and conflict coach to join the UCLH Staff Psychology & Welfare Service (SPWS). SPWS is well-established within the Trust and the post-holder will join a friendly multi-disciplinary team of clinical and counselling psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors and mediators.
This is an exciting and critically important time to work in this area, helping to support our diverse hospital workforce to cope with the impact of, and recover from the pandemic as well as the ongoing nature of healthcare work in acute hospital settings.
Our award-winning Mediation team (National Mediation Awards 2024) has expanded in response to the NHS People Plan and Staff Survey results to incorporate more informal resolution pathways for hospital staff. Our aim is to provide increased mediation, conflict coaching and conflict resolution interventions in a proactive and timely way to enable staff to manage emerging relational difficulties quickly and reduce pressure on workforce teams; helping our staff thrive at work.
Main duties of the job
The Mediator and Conflict Coach’s main role is to provide mediation and conflict coaching sessions and support to Trust staff as part of the SPWS conflict resolution service and delivered in line with the service processes and protocols.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced mediator and conflict coach with a background in providing effective workplace conflict resolution between people from diverse backgrounds and with a variety of communication styles and needs. They will be able to work autonomously and with a high degree of self-motivation, prioritising tasks effectively to provide conflict resolution support in a complex and busy environment, and in accordance with professional and best-practice guidelines.
As a member of the Staff Psychology & Welfare Service team the postholder will attend relevant meetings, CPD training and regular supervision. They will contribute to the SPWS and Mediation Service training programmes as required to support the development and promotion of constructive communication skills among staff.
They will provide information to the SPWS team and the Trust to enable colleagues to inform and signpost staff to relevant conflict resolution services, making appropriate onward referrals to other support services if needed.
Working for our organisation
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas.Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
- University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
- Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
- University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
- Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
- University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
- University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women’s health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
At UCLH, we have a real ‘One Team’ ethos, and our values – safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The SPWS team is a well established and respected service. We are friendly team that works closely together to meet the support needs of our colleagues in the Trust, their teams and the organisation as a whole.
The team has grown significantly to meet these needs and we continue to welcome new members to our service. This post would suit someone with a wide range of skills who has experience of undertaking this work in the NHS or large organisations.The successful candidate will be well supported but expected to work proactively, autonomously with a diverse population of staff from all areas of the Trust. The role has some flexibility for hybrid working. This provision aligns with our Civility and Respect initiative across all areas of the Trust.
The post-holder will sit within the Staff Psychology Service and will conduct mediations and conflict coaching sessions as well as supporting the promotion and general running of the Mediation Service.
They will also support and run briefings for managers and contribute to an education programme to support all staff at UCLH.
The Mediation Service is part of the wider recovery programme and long-term health and wellbeing agenda at UCLH. We work closely with our workforce colleagues in Staff Experience, Staff Development and alongside our Staff Networks to encourage long term and sustainable cultural change within the organisation.
Our team aims to represent the diverse workforce we support and is dedicated to promoting equity and embracing inclusion as core values. We aim to reduce stigma, increase engagement in self-care and organisational support to help our staff thrive at work and in their personal lives.
This is a specialist role within the service that requires the post-holder to be confident to work independently within their own team as well as closely with multi-disciplinary teams across the Trust. The post holder will be required to attend and support training and supervision for mediators and those working in conflict resolution teams.
There is some flexibility in the role to work remotely, however the successful applicant will be able to move between all areas and UCLH sites offering proactive support and mediation. Candidates must be an accredited mediator with a wide range of experience and a track record of successfully supporting people to resolve conflict.Experience in team mediation is desirable.
Supervision and line management will be via by the Mediation Coordinator.
The Mediator and Conflict Coach’s main role is to provide mediation and conflict coaching sessions and support to Trust staff as part of the SPWS conflict resolution service and delivered in line with the service processes and protocols.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced mediator and conflict coach with a background in providing effective workplace conflict resolution. They will be able to work autonomously and with a high degree of self-motivation, prioritising tasks effectively to provide conflict resolution support in a complex and busy environment, and in accordance with professional and best-practice guidelines.
As a member of the Staff Psychology & Welfare Service team the postholder will attend relevant meetings, CPD training and regular supervision. They will contribute to the SPWS and Mediation Service training programmes as required to support the development and promotion of constructive communication skills among staff.
They will provide information to the SPWS team and the Trust to enable colleagues to inform and signpost staff to relevant conflict resolution services, making appropriate onward referrals to other support services if needed.
The SPWS team is a well established and respected service. We are friendly team that works closely together to meet the support needs of our colleagues in the Trust, their teams and the organisation as a whole. The team has grown significantly to meet these needs and we continue to welcome new members to our service.This post would suit someone with a wide range of skills who has experience of undertaking this work in the NHS or large organisations. The successful candidate will be well supported but expected to work proactively, autonomously with a diverse population of staff from all areas of the Trust.
The role has some flexibility for hybrid working.
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
UCLH is located in central London with easy access to the West End and major transport hubs.The nearest train stations are Euston, St Pancras and Kings Cross with a range of underground stations including Euston Square, Warren Street and Euston.
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*- UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England – for the third year in a row.
To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?
Person specification
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential criteria- Degree level qualification or equivalent
- Accredited Mediator to OCN L3 or equivalent
- Conflict Coaching qualification
- Post-qualification training in conflict resolution for areas relevant to NHS service provision e.g. trauma, safeguarding, difficult conversations, team mediation
- An understanding of the principles of conflict resolution and Nonviolent Communication
- On the Civil Mediation Council or College of Mediators register of Affiliated Mediators
Experience
Essential criteria- Demonstrable experience of working as a mediator and conflict coach with experience in the NHS or other large organisations
- Experience of conducting workplace mediation and other conflict resolution interventions
- Maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse, and the threat of physical abuse.
- Experience of managing and prioritising an independent and specialist caseload.
- Experience of liaising with and referring clients to a variety of people and organisations
- Experience of working in a multi-cultural setting
Communication
Essential criteria- Excellent oral and written communication skills with all levels of staff
- Able to provide written management information reports of a high standard
- Ability to identify and overcome barriers to change
At UCLH, we have a real ‘One Team’ ethos, and our values – safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.
At UCLH we take equality of opportunity seriously and are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer, with a culture that creates a real sense of belonging and trust. It is our fundamental aim, to recruit, retain and promote a diverse mix of people who are representative of our local communities.Applications are encouraged from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to support our world class research, innovation and creativity.
UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff and has a dedicated policy which allows staff to apply for flexible working right from the beginning of employment. For more information please go to: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/work-with-us/why-choose-uclh/flexible-working.
We offer our permanent staff an interest free season ticket loan for travel, all our staff have access to free independent and confidential support, large retail discounts, a staff discount platform, cycle to work scheme and on-site accommodation to name a few.
Additionally, UCLH Arts and Heritage’s staff wellbeing programme, Creative Comfort, offers a variety of ways to engage with the arts as a member of UCLH staff. You can try out the weekly choir, weekly art club and join the Culture Club for exclusive access to free and discounted tickets for opera, exhibitions, theatre and more.
We recognise, reward and thank colleagues by nominating them for our annual Celebrating Excellence Awards, which are funded by UCLH Charity.
We are also members of www.mytrustbenefits.co.uk/ which offers discounts on high street retail stores, offers on travel deals, and also to take advantage of cash back schemes.
This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.
Please note that all correspondence regarding your application will be via email. The emails will be sent to you via TRAC.jobs and not via NHS Jobs, we encourage you to check your inbox regularly.
Please note that if you are at present in a training position on the 2016 new junior doctor’s contract and are applying for a Trust doctor role your salary will not be pay protected.
You will be placed on the appropriate point of the Trust Doctor pay scale based on your previous experience.
Please note that if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date of the advert to assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.
The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.