HR Assistant (Maternity Cover)

Joseph Rowntree Foundation; York and North Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Part time

Job summary

Joseph Rowntree Foundation in York is seeking a part-time HR Assistant on a 12-month maternity cover contract to join the People Shared Services team. You will provide a high-quality HR administration service across the employee lifecycle, supporting recruitment, changes, absence, learning and development and benefits.

You’ll maintain confidential employee records, process starters and changes on our HR and payroll system, prepare contracts and respond to queries from colleagues and managers.

Qualifications

• Experience in HR administration within a busy environment.
• Understanding of employment legislation and HR processes.
• CIPD Level 3 is advantageous but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality HR administration across the employee lifecycle.
• Support recruitment, changes, absence, learning and development and benefits.
• Maintain confidential employee records and process contracts.
• Handle pre-employment checks and DBS checks.
• Respond to queries from colleagues and managers.
• Support HR projects and process improvements.

Skills

HR administration

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

CIPD Level 3 (advantageous)

Tools

HR software systems

MS Office

Job description

We are built on trust

We show we care

We make a difference

Salary£24,839.36 per annum (FTE £31,049.20 per annum)

LocationYork/Hybrid

This is a Temporary, Part Time vacancy that will close in 23 days at 23:59 BST.

The role

12 Months Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover), Part Time (28 hours per week)

We're looking for an organised and proactive HR Assistant to join our People Shared Services team on a 12-month maternity cover contract.

About the role

Working as part of a busy People Team, you'll provide a high-quality HR administration service across the employee lifecycle, supporting areas including recruitment, employee changes, absence, learning and development and employee benefits.

You'll maintain accurate and confidential employee records, process new starters and changes on our HR and payroll system, prepare contracts and other HR documentation and respond to queries from colleagues, candidates and managers. You'll also support pre-employment and compliance checks, including right to work, references and DBS checks, as well as Occupational Health referrals and regular data audits.

As a first point of contact for general HR enquiries, you'll provide straightforward guidance on policies and processes, escalating more complex matters where appropriate. You'll also have the opportunity to support wider People Team projects and identify ways we can continue to improve our systems and processes.

This is a varied role where accuracy, organisation and great customer service are key.

About you

You'll have solid experience of HR administration within a busy environment and a good understanding of employment legislation and HR processes. Highly organised and able to manage competing priorities, you'll have excellent attention to detail and be confident working accurately to deadlines. You'll be a strong communicator who can build positive relationships with colleagues at all levels and provide a friendly, professional and responsive service.

You'll be comfortable using Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel and Outlook, as well as HR software systems, and will be confident handling sensitive and confidential information. You'll be proactive, flexible and willing to use your initiative to solve problems and improve ways of working.

A CIPD/Level 3 qualification would be advantageous but are not essential.

Closing date for applications is 8th November 2026

Interviews will take place on tbc

We reserve the right to bring the closing date forward should enough quality applications be received prior to the current closing date.

Additional Information

Applications are welcome from all, regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or socioeconomic background.

We positively encourage applications from people from marginalised backgrounds, including but not limited to those with experience of living in poverty.

We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and operate an anonymised recruitment process so that bias is eliminated from the shortlisting process.

In support of our approach to flexible working, we are happy to receive applications from those seeking full-time employment, as well as those who may want to share the role on a part-time basis.

At JRF we're at our best when we're continually building on trust, showing we care and making a difference - and hope others will do the same. So, for those roles which allow it, we're developing a more blended approach to how and where you work. This means you can expect to work flexibly between the office and home with an expectation of one day in the office a week.

About us

We are an independent social change organisation, working to support and speed up the transition to a more equitable and just future, free from poverty, where people and planet flourish.

JRF leads a wide range of work across the UK, including policy development, advocacy, campaigns, impact investment, funding for pioneers and grassroots movements, and research. Our team of around 150 permanent staff is based in York, London, Glasgow and Belfast.

We are passionate about our mission and believe that meaningful work drives engagement. JRF is a place where people are proud to work, collaborate, and support one another.

We foster an inclusive environment where curiosity is encouraged, and different perspectives are valued. We know that some communities are disproportionately affected by economic inequalities, and we are committed to learning, advocating for change, and becoming a more equitable organisation ourselves.

We believe in trust and accountability. Our people have autonomy in their roles while working within broad organisational frameworks that keep us aligned with our values. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do.

Benefits

• Mental Wellbeing
• Physical Wellbeing
• Social Wellbeing
• Financial Wellbeing

What we offer

For the full list of the JRF benefits, please click here.

We encourage you to read our EVP, which is located here.

We are a Disability Confident Employer. This means that we are committed to the recruitment, progression and retention of disabled individuals. We shall also offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the job. If you have a disability, please tell us if you would like to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

If you have any additional needs and need reasonable adjustments to be made to the interview process, please let us know.