HR Policy and Employee Relations Advisor

European Southern Observatory; Garching bei München; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Pension

Medical benefits

Education support

Job summary

ESO is seeking an experienced HR professional to bridge policy development and employee relations within a dynamic, international science organisation. The role blends strategic design with hands-on advisory work, leading a team and guiding a future-focused people strategy.

You will shape policy frameworks, support governance conversations, and partner with managers, staff representatives and HR colleagues to deliver high-quality HR services in a changing environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of HR experience in international or complex organisations.
• Proven track record in developing, reviewing and implementing HR policies.
• Experience in Employee Relations, advising on cases and engaging with staff bodies.
• Strong knowledge of employment frameworks and staff regulations.
• Ability to balance operational delivery with strategic thinking.
• Analytical mindset and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Manage and drive HR policies and frameworks aligned with organisational needs.
• Collaborate with staff representation bodies on dialogue and actions.
• Provide expert HR advice to managers and staff on policies and employment conditions.
• Lead HR projects such as Organisational Development and policy reviews.
• Prepare HR proposals, reports and governance presentations.
• Research HR trends to inform decision making.
• Represent HR in internal groups and committees.
• Improve HR processes, systems and services.

Skills

HR policy development

Employee relations

Policy implementation

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Analytical mind

Communication skills

Team leadership

Education

HR/Law/Business degree

Tools

HRIS

Policy frameworks

Job description

(re-issued Vacancy - previous candidates need not reapply)

ESO is building the world's biggest eye on the sky. This role helps build the people strategy behind it. This is a genuinely blended role. ESO is looking for a person who can move between HR policy development and employee relations casework, not a policy specialist or an employee relations specialist alone. Candidates should be drawn to both areas in their HR career journey and have demonstrable, hands-on experience.

Human Resources plays a central role in supporting ESO's strategic objectives by providing a comprehensive, high-quality service to staff and management. This position is a great opportunity for an experienced HR professional to influence how policy and employee relations are practiced across a scientific organisation entering a period of significant change. Rather than administering an established framework, the successful candidate will help design one, working at the intersection of day-to-day HR advice, policy development in the framework of the recently established People Strategy, and some of the most consequential governance conversations happening inside ESO today. You will work closely with managers, staff representatives and other HR colleagues, and you will be line manager of an HR Policy Officer, giving you scope to build not just policy, but a team.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

You will:

• Manage and drive the development, review and implementation of HR policies and frameworks, ensuring alignment with organisational needs and best practices.
• Collaborate with staff representation bodies, supporting constructive social dialogue and follow-up actions.
• Provide expert HR advice and guidance to managers and staff on policies, procedures and employment conditions.
• Actively support and, where appropriate, lead HR projects and strategic initiatives, such as: Organisational Development; reviews of Staff Regulations and internal policies; benchmarking of employment conditions.
• Prepare HR proposals, reports and presentations for internal governance bodies and senior management.
• Conduct research and analysis on HR trends and best practices to inform decision-making.
• Represent HR in internal working groups and committees.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of HR processes, systems and services.

The role requires flexibility and the ability to operate across a broad range of HR topics in an evolving organisational context.

Reports to:

Programme Manager - People Strategy (a role which also acts as HR Policy and Employee Relations Team Leader).

This reporting line reflects the central role that HR policy and employee relations expertise plays in delivering significant strategic objectives under the People Strategy. The postholder will be fully integrated into the broader HR function in the HR Business partnering group under the overall leadership of the Head of Human Resources.

Key competences and experience:

Essential

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in Human Resources is required, ideally in an international or complex multi-national organisational environment.
• Proven experience in developing, reviewing and implementing HR policies.
• Experience in Employee Relations management, including advising on and managing individual employee cases, interpreting HR policies and employment frameworks, and engaging with staff associations/unions or other staff representative bodies.
• Strong knowledge of employment frameworks, policies and HR practices (experience with staff regulations or similar frameworks is an asset).
• Ability to balance operational delivery with strategic thinking.
• Confidence to challenge and improve existing practices.
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under time constraints.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and build trust.
• Collaborative approach, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Desirable

• Project management in a leadership capacity.
• Change management experience.
• Familiarity with HR in international organisations.
• Familiarity with HR information systems.
• Supervisory skills.

Qualifications:

• University degree in Human Resources, Law, Business Administration or a related field. Candidates with a degree in an unrelated field who have significant relevant professional experience will also be considered. Evidence of continuing professional development in HR or management will be a strong asset.

Language skills:

An excellent command of the English language both oral and written, is required (note: drafting skills are tested as part of the interview process). A working knowledge of Spanish is an asset.

Remuneration and Contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (free of income tax for applicants from ESO member states), comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family and support to place your child/children in daycare.

Our Salary Structure:

ESO's salary structure is based upon a range of career paths which reflect the nature and level of our jobs. Each career path is made up of two or three grades which are used to further reflect experience.

Please follow this attached link for more details https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/salary-structure/

The post is allocated in Career Path: IV

Working Conditions:

ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#work-life-balance between their professional and private life. ESO is also committed to offering family-friendly support https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#family-friendly-support, creating a work environment and policies which allow staff to balance their professional and private responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families.

The contract is for a fixed term duration of three years and is subject to medical clearance and successful completion of a six-month probation period. There may be a possibility of extension(s) subject to individual performance and organisational requirements, and as defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations. (Please note that the contract policy and in particular the regulations concerning fixed-term and indefinite contracts are under review which may lead to changes in the contractual conditions applicable to this position).

Duty Station:

The duty station of the post will be Garching near Munich, Germany. The role is based on-site at ESO and relocation to the duty station area is required (as applicable). Please note staff at ESO benefit from a mobile working policy that allows for some hybrid working for work-life balance purposes.

ESO Values

An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.

The ESO Values are:

ESO strives for excellence through innovation.

ESO provides outstanding services to its communities.

ESO fosters diversity & inclusion.

ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.

Achieving the above are recognized as only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes that we expect from our employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear & open communication.

Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for interview.

Diversity

ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Please visit https://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/sustainability/dei-at-eso/ for further details.

Nationality

No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of our Member States, host states and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.