My experience as a business manager for Directorate Management Teams has provided me with an understanding of the importance of the process for recruiting, managing, deploying and retaining an organisation’s human resource.

Whilst I have not worked in an international HR department, I am not deterred from applying for this post as I have experience working as a PA for an international insurance company director, albeit in my early career.   I have an understanding of the different requirements and restrictions that need to be met in order to ensure, the safe and timely passage of staff to the required areas.  I know that the restrictions vary depending on the areas you are traveling from and the passport/visa you hold. I know that I have to be aware of the requirements for obtaining a visa and that the conditions need to be monitored.

When working in the capacity of a PA to an International insurance company director.  I kept an index of the required information relating to passport/visa immunisation requirements, currency and currency rates, health and safety warning etc.  When another PA’s covered for me, I was able to give this to them to ensure a seamless service to the director.  My own index became quite extensive as each time I covered for another PA, I would collect similar information.

As a manager, I have had HR support but I have often had to carry out many HR tasks myself. I have direct experience of calculating long service leave,  annual leave, arranging secondments, making acting-up arrangements, managing the sickness process to dismissal and ill-health retirement to name a few HR processes.

To this role I will bring my expertise of identifying required skills for specific roles, drawing up job role profile and person specifications, drafting job adverts, managing the shortlisting and assessment process, carrying out pre-application or appointment checks, obtaining references and other supporting documentation, managing starting processes, coordinating organisation/department/team inductions, carrying annual performance reviews and job supervision, managing sickness, leave, disciplinary and leaving processes.

I  have gained many transferable skills from the roles I have undertaken.  One of my key strengths is that my skills are supported by proven methodologies rather than just trial and error. My people management and HR support skills are enhanced by my training as an Investors in People Internal Assessor. My ability to review, implement and maintain administrative processes is enhanced by my ISO9000 (Quality Management/internal auditor training). My project management skills owe a lot to my Prince2 Project Management training. I use my CIPD skills to design and staff briefings and training sessions.

With regards to supporting the International HR Adviser when it comes to deploying Emergency Response units, I feel I will be able to ‘level up” my skills. I will use my skills in managing customer services rotas to quickly gain an understanding,  not just of the specialist responsibility of the human resource teams to be deployed, but also of what strengths that make that team (and individuals) the best fit for the project and how they will work together to meet the requirements of the unique situation in that region.

I have experience of making improvements to increase the ability of teams involved in a planning application process to be able to respond more effectively to fluctuating workloads at different points in the process. You call this “surge capacity”.  In my experience, this can be achieved when all involved in the work, not only have a commitment to the shared goal, but also an appreciation of the specialist skills and expertise of those they work with. One of my most successful achievements in this area came when I had specialists in one team teach their specialism to a team with a different specialism.

My knowledge of Microsoft Word is advanced. I carried out advanced functions such as using macros, outline headings etc.

I describe by Excel skills as intermediate as I can and have used many of the functions e.g. to set up spreadsheets to automate calculations, manage and project budget expenditure.

I have advanced skill in PowerPoint and Microsoft Project

I have basic skills in Microsoft Publisher and Visio.

I have studied CIPD Training and Development module, though I have not renewed my CIPD Membership in recent years.

My most recent aware of international humanitarian issues is of the Syrian conflict, the cyclone that hit Zimbabwe not long ago and Pakistani and the floods. I know there are more but those are the ones that come to mind.

I have experience of working with and supporting directors and senior managers, this has required that I work to deadlines, providing and presenting briefings. Whilst this has not been overseas I have worked for a national organisation with managers across the country. My strengths are in problem-solving and improving system efficiency by maximising the use of technology.