Recruitment and HR Operations Assistant London 2024

SOAS is the leading Higher Education institution in Europe specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East. We are uniquely positioned to play a leading role in reimagining higher education globally, with a strategic plan in place as the basis for the renewal and revitalisation of the university which commits SOAS to both student responsiveness and research intensity. SOAS is moving towards a new model of international partnerships which is responsive to the transnational character of our global challenges.

About the department

With a new and energetic People Director in post, the HR team is embarking on a programme of modernisation, upgrading our systems and processes, becoming a high performing and modern people team, enabling SOAS to meet the challenges ahead and realise our mission. Now is a perfect time to join a welcoming and supportive team, contributing, not only to the usual day to day work but also playing a key role in shaping our future. This is a growth opportunity for SOAS as well as for the successful candidate.

About the role

The Recruitment and HR Operations Assistant will provide an excellent proactive recruitment and operational HR administrative support to the Recruitment and HR Operations team within the HR Directorate.

They will be responsible for providing a comprehensive and customer focused HR administration service and demonstrate a commitment to excellence and improving employee experience. They support the delivery of their operational function, entering information onto the HR systems, drafting template letters, upholding service standards, audit checks, and support of FOI and Data Protection request responses. They provide staff and managers with information and guidance on statutory requirements, HR policies, procedures and practices and identify and implement improvements to current working methods.

The Recruitment and HR Operations team is part of the SOAS HR Directorate and has responsibility for all recruitment and operational HR administration across the university. The team works in partnership with managers and HR colleagues to provide expert guidance and administration on all aspects of recruitment, selection and contractual changes. In addition, the team administers the full employment lifecycle for every SOAS employee, working with SOAS’ systems and processes to effectively manage the administration process between the Recruitment and HR Operations team and the Payroll and Pensions team.

Person specification

  Training and qualifications

• A good standard of numeracy and literacy as demonstrated by two GCSE qualifications or equivalent level of expertise gained through relevant work experience.
• Currently studying for, or a completed CIPD qualification would be an advantage.

  Knowledge and experience

• Good knowledge and experience demonstrated from working in a similar HR role.
• Previous experience of administering recruitment exercises and/or operational HR work.
• Knowledge and experience of using a comparable HR database or e-recruitment system to input information, run reports and manipulate data e.g. ResourceLink.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering effective customer service, providing advice about processes and policies, resolving issues where possible and recognising when to escalate queries.
• Demonstrable experience organising own workload, prioritising multiple tasks and meeting deadlines in a busy office environment.

   Skills and abilities

• Excellent attention to detail for both numerical and written information; able to input and check information effectively (e.g. training records, invoices, pay records, contracts of employment).
• Demonstrable ability to work with people at all levels within the organisation and to build effective working relationships with external stakeholders (such as candidates, referees, and suppliers).
• Proven experience working as part of an effective team, supporting colleagues, sharing knowledge and committed to promoting an inclusive working environment.
• Demonstrable ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing the ability to use your own initiative and be proactive in solving problems.
• Proven ability to use Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• The ability to use your own initiative and be proactive in solving problems.

We would particularly welcome applications from candidates from working class, first generation Higher Education, the Global South, Black, Asian or other minority ethnic and underrepresented groups. All appointment decisions will be made on merit, following a fair and competitive process.