Professional Standards Adviser

Post: Professional Standards Adviser
Salary: £45,485 per annum
Grade: FRS E
Salary range: £45,485 – £54,332 per annum
Contract type: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Application closing date: 4 PM on Friday 13 December 2024

London Fire Brigade (LFB) is London’s Fire and Rescue Service – one of the largest firefighting and rescue organisations in the world. We are here to make London a safer city.

We employ over 5,500 people, across our operational team (our firefighters), control (our call handlers who answer your 999 calls) and our non-operational team (our teams who work behind the scenes to support our front-line services, including HR, IT, Finance, Procurement, Communications etc.).

Earlier this year, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) introduced its Professional Standards Unit (PSU), the first of its kind across any Fire and Rescue Service in the UK. Since the Culture Review, the London Fire Brigade introduced a range of actions, including an external reporting line for staff to raise concerns with an independent organisation. LFB is looking to build on the learning from the past year, and ensure that we continue to work hard as an organisation to deliver an environment that supports all staff to be at their best, with zero tolerance for any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination.

The PSU will have an important role in upskilling the organisation and enabling all staff to understand and meet the high standards of behaviour required to represent LFB, and expected by the public we serve. Importantly, it will undertake proactive engagement across LFB and use data and insights to ensure that issues are resolved as early as possible and, in the long-term, prevent inappropriate and un-acceptable behaviour from arising in the first place. The PSU will act as the centre of expertise for queries relating to discipline, bullying, harassment and discrimination within LFB. Colleagues can contact the PSU directly for advice, to raise complaints, or seek guidance. The PSU will manage complaints and concerns, commission and undertake investigations, and support any formal hearing process within the organisation.

An opportunity has arisen to join the PSU as a Professional Standards Adviser. A strong knowledge of discipline (conduct), grievance, and harassment procedures, alongside good working knowledge of HR best practice is essential, as is providing advice on HR matters to staff at all levels. Maintaining positive relationships, data analysis and clear communication skills will be of vital importance.

Most importantly, we are seeking candidates who will ensure complete confidentiality to maintain the trust and confidence of LFB staff, and will demonstrate the highest levels of integrity. Full training will be provided to the successful candidate.

Further information about the main duties and responsibilities of the role are detailed in the job description. If you are unable to see the job description, salary range or the full advert, please visit our jobs pages at https://jobs.london-fire.gov.uk/alljobs/ to access the full advert.

We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across London. The London Fire Commissioner is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we positively welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people’s age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.

Assessment Overview
Stage 1

To apply, please complete the online application, upload a copy of your up-to-date CV and provide evidence to address the following selection criteria:

1. CIPD qualified or equivalent comprehensive knowledge of the application of conditions of service, good professional HR practice and current employment legislation, together with significant experience of providing high quality HR services.
2. Experience of producing detailed written work, particularly in relation to the drafting of reports and briefing papers.
3. Good interpersonal skills in order to develop and maintain effective working relationships at all levels and to demonstrate tact and discretion when dealing with sensitive issues.
4. An awareness of the importance of ensuring confidential information and security of sensitive information and an awareness of the principles of the Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

Please note that we will evaluate score the evidence you provide based on the competencies listed in the selection criteria above. The CV is for information purposes only and will not be marked.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend the stage 2.

Please ensure you give yourself enough time to complete and submit your application. Late or un-submitted applications cannot be accepted.

Please note any correspondence received from us will be via e-mail and sent to the address you provide on your application form.

Stage 2

Assessment for this role is due to take place week commencing 06th January 2025. Please be advised that if you are unable to make the scheduled assessment date, we may not be able to make alternative arrangements.

This will consist of an interview covering the key points within the job description and person specification. Candidates will be required to give a five minute presentation on the topic, which will be followed by five minutes of questions:

“How do you build the confidence of individuals raising concerns and complaints when they feel they have been let down by their employer previously?”

Additional Information
Benefits of working for the London Fire Brigade

• 26 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Flexi-time Scheme (which can result in an additional 12 days annual leave)
• Additional leave between Christmas Day and New Year
• Family (including maternity) leave and emergency support leave
• Flexible working including work from home 60%
• Free access to the Brigade gym
• Use of the Brigade’s Medical Adviser/physios/fitness advisers
• Free counselling
• Season ticket loans
• Join social networks including our Equality Support Groups
• Contributory pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff discount scheme including access to Blue Light Card retail and hospitality discounts
• Opportunity to access affordable accommodation

In line with the Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) employment checks will be completed by successful candidates, which will include a criminal records check. Successful candidate will be required to declare any convictions for offences which are not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and any offer of employment is subject to the LFC receiving a criminal records disclosure which it considers satisfactory. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced check will be undertaken on the successful person before an appointment is confirmed.