[ref. u39557318] **INTERNAL MPFT APPLICANTS ONLY** Workforce Investigations Officer - Stafford

Job overview

**INTERNAL MPFT APPLICANTS ONLY**

This post is advertised initially as a 2-year secondment. The post may be extended or become permanent depending on demand.

These investigations can be complex due to the highly sensitive nature of the allegations, where external parties are involved or where it is agreed that the investigation requires an IO that is external to the service due to conflicts of interest.

The successful applicant will have extensive experience in commissioning and carrying our HR investigations and will have a sound knowledge of the following MPFT policies:

• Bullying and Harassment
• Disciplinary
• Grievance
• Managing Attendance

The post holder will be expected to manage their time to ensure all investigations are completed in a timely way to avoid unnecessary delays which can cause distress to all involved.

The post holder will follow the NHS just culture principles that ensures fair treatment of all NHS staff, supporting a culture of openness and learning that supports people to speak up without fear of blame. They will be expected to act in a fair and unbiased way to establish and present the facts of the case.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will demonstrate experience of effectively completing the following:

• Planning an investigation: this will include working with the commissioner of the investigation and HR to understand the allegations; confirming the information and evidence that needs to be gathered (through interviews, policies, legal documents, records etc.); confirming who needs to be interviewed and setting a timeline.
• Effective Interview Techniques: this will include preparation of key questions in advance; using open and closed questioning appropriately; an understanding of interview question models e.g. the PEACE model or cognitive interviewing, ensuring interviews are carried out in a suitable and confidential environment and using active listening.
• Documenting Findings: This will include a record of all interviews, any documents that are used to support the findings and producing a factual summary report of all key findings and recommendations.
• Communicating Results: The IO may be expected to present their findings at a formal panel hearing, this will involve a clear and concise presentation of the facts of the case and the outcome in reference to the allegations.
• Sharing Lessons Learned: The IO will collate any trends and themes and will share any learning to reduce the risk of reoccurrence.

Working for our organisation

• Supporting your career development and progression
• Excellent NHS Pension scheme
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Options for flexible working
• Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) and the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
• If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
• Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
• Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
• Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
• Free car parking at all trust sites
• Free flu vaccinations every year
• Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)

And more. We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This post will not replace the need for existing leaders and managers to act as IO’s for HR investigations, the post holder will provide support and supervision to any less experienced IO’s to support them to develop their skills in findings and presenting their findings.

The post holder will also work with HR on the delivery of formal and informal IO training and development and will act as an expert by experience in supporting the review and development of new policies and processes that are relevant to the role.

The successful applicant will be expected to demonstrate strong leadership skills and have recent experience of managing HR cases for community services. They must be self-motivated and flexible, be able to demonstrate effective communication skills and have a sound knowledge of HR policies and procedures.

Person specification

Training

• Completed MPFT Investigating Officer Training

• Knowledge of employment law

Qualifications

• Masters Degree Level Qualification in relevant field (or equivalent experience)
• Evidence of continued professional development (relevant to this role)

• Formal training on root cause analysis, NCAS or MHPS

Experience of commissioning HR investigations

• Documents that they have commissioned an investigation

• Explains process of commissioning an investigation

Experience

• Experience of completing HR investigations
• Experience of preparing for and participating or chairing employee relations hearings
• Experience of receiving, analysing, and presenting complex information (verbal and written)
• Experience of successfully working with a range of external and internal partners and with people at all levels of an organisation

• Experience of conducting MHPS investigations