Head (Human Resources)

Job Description
Vacancy for: Head (Human Resources)
Number of positions: 1 (One)
Jobsplus Permit No: 478/2021
Our Ref: SCSA 32/2021

Submission requirements:
1. Covering letter highlighting experience;
2. Curriculum vitae (CV) in Europass format;
3. Scanned copy of Qualifications and Certificates (including Transcripts);
4. Valid Police Certificate of Conduct (not more than one (1) month old).

Job Description:
The duties of Head (Human Resources) include:
The Head of Human Resources is responsible for the human resources (HR) duties of the Social Care Standards Authority (SCSA) and to coordinate the overall operations function of HR to ensure that the Authority is operating efficiently and effectively from an administrative aspect. The prospective candidate should provide support and assistance with regard to employee relations while keeping abreast with the latest relevant regulations in employment relations and other relevant policy developments within the Operations Unit of the Authority. The Head Human Resources reports to the Director of Operations.

Principal Responsibilities:
The Head Human Resources is responsible for:

• Supporting the Director of Operations in updating and maintaining strategic Human Resources duties; and
• Maintaining multi-task schedules and managing administrative support.

Essential Functions:

• Implementation and maintenance of HR strategies including talent acquisition and employment processing, training and learning development, records management, employee relations and processing monthly payroll.
• Identifying human resources issues and recommending changes where desirable, while keeping updated existing policies as appropriate in line with the Authority’s human resources objectives.
• Responsible for employee development and upgrading of employees’ skills through continuous professional development programmes to ensure high level of services to meet the Authority’s specific requests.
• Managing and processing the payroll of Authority’s employees in accordance with the internal policies and procedures.
• Organising and planning performance management procedures and regular human resource appraisal processes.
• Communicating with employees at all levels to facilitate the implementation of HR programmes while ensuring employee participation and involvement initiatives.
• Supporting and guiding employees by communicating and enforcing organisational procedures while determining HR strategies.
• Establishing good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with local and international training institutions, external consultants, Trade Unions and recruitment agencies for strategic HR programmes.
• Planning and organising external events and initiatives to promote staff well-being measures and corporate social responsibility.
• Updating job knowledge by participating in conferences and educational opportunities while maintaining personal networks.
• Keeping abreast with developments in the field of HR practices and developments and contributing to the preparation of the relative policies and procedures.
• Ensuring that the policies and procedures within the areas of operations responsibility are adhered to and constantly kept up to date.
• Working with any external consultants or parties in relation to HR and other administrative duties.
• Maintaining and assuming responsibility for the maintenance of the office equipment.

Business Skills:

• Assertive with strong ethical values and sound leadership skills.
• Strong collaboration, verbal and writing communication skills with very good drafting abilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to prioritise, coordinate and organise the work.
• A conscientious attitude, self-motivation and ability to work without close supervision.
• A level of accuracy under pressure and must be able to respond adequately to demands from internal and external contacts.
• Excellent negotiation skills.

Knowledge:

• Sound knowledge of HR regulations with high standard of work throughout.
• High proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications with expertise in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel and ideally Dakar payroll system.

Qualifications & Experience Required:
Eligibility Requirements:
Eligible applicants will be interviewed by a Selection Board to assess their suitability to carry out the duties mentioned above. The maximum mark for this selection process is 100% and the pass mark is 50%. Due consideration will be given to applicants who, besides the requisites indicated in this call, have proven relevant work experience.

By the closing time and date of this call for applications, applicants must be:
i. (a) citizens of Malta; or
(b) citizens of other Member States of the European Union who are entitled to equal treatment to Maltese citizens in matters of employment by virtue of EU legislation and treaty provisions dealing with the free movement of workers; or
(c) citizens of any other country who are entitled to equal treatment to Maltese citizens in matters related to employment by virtue of the application to that country of EU legislation and treaty provisions dealing with the free movement of workers; or
(d) any other persons who are entitled to equal treatment to Maltese citizens in matters related to employment in terms of the law or the above mentioned EU legislation and treaty provisions, on account of their family relationship with persons mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c); or
(e) third country nationals who have been granted long-term resident status in Malta under regulation 4 of the “Status of Long-Term Residents (Third Country Nationals) Regulations, 2006” or who have been granted a residence permit under regulation 18(3) thereof, together with family members of such third country nationals who have been granted a residence permit under the “Family Reunification Regulations”, 2007”
(f) persons in possession of a residence document issued in terms of the Residence Status of United Kingdom Nationals and their family members in Malta in accordance with the agreement on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community Regulations.

The advice of the Department of Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs with the Identity Malta Agency should be sought as necessary in the interpretation of the above provisions. The appointment of candidates referred to at (b), (c), (d) and (e) above would necessitate the issue of an employment licence in so far as this is required by the Immigration Act and subsidiary legislation. Jobsplus should be consulted as necessary on this issue.

(ii) proficient in the Maltese and English languages;
(iii) (a) in possession of a degree (at MQF Level 7) (subject to a minimum of 60 ECTS/ECVET credits, or equivalent, with regard to programmes commencing as from October 2008) in Human Resources / Business Management / Accounts, plus three (3) years’ experience preferably in people management;
Or
(b) in possession of a recognised Bachelor's qualification at MQF Level 6 (subject to a minimum of 180 ECTS/ECVET credits, or equivalent, with regard to programmes commencing as from October 2003) in, Human Resources / Business Management / Accounts or a related professional qualification, plus seven (7) years work experience in the area of people management and have proven ability to perform the tasks outlined in the job description will also be considered and shortlisted for the selection process.

• Experience in the Public sector is considered an asset.
• Be able to work under pressure with minimum supervision and to strict deadlines and budgets.
• A disposition to take initiative and provide support within the area of responsibilities beyond the call of duty to ensure the smooth running of the function.

Persons registered with the National Commission for Persons with a Disability (NCPD) may be given reasonable accommodation in terms of Section 7 of the Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disability) Act (Chapter 413 of the Laws of Malta), provided they can carry out, in essence, the duties related to the post applied for. Representations in terms of this clause should be attached to the application form and supported with relevant documents which must also include documentary evidence of registration with the NCPD. 

Qualifications at a higher level than that specified above will be accepted for eligibility purposes, provided they meet any specified subject requirements. A Master`s qualification at MQF Level 7, or equivalent, must comprise a minimum of 60 ECTS/ECVET credits with regards to programmes commencing as from October 2008.

Moreover, candidates who have not yet formally obtained any of the above-mentioned qualifications will still be considered, provided that they submit evidence that they have been approved for the award of the qualifications in question, or successfully completed the necessary ECTS/ECVET credits, or equivalent, taken as part of a recognised higher MQF level programme of study, as required in the afore-mentioned eligibility criteria, by the closing time and date of the call for applications.

Original certificates and/or testimonials are to be invariably produced for verification at the interview.
(a) With the exception of those qualifications referred to in paragraph (d) hereunder, applicants are required to produce a recognition statement by the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC) within the National Commission for Further and Higher Education (NCFHE), which is to be obtained by submitting an online application for the recognition of qualifications at https://services.ncfhe.gov.mt/CertificationApplication.aspx. Such statement should be attached to the application and the original presented at the interview.
(b) Applicants who are not in possession of the recognition statement may still apply, provided that they submit a copy of the statement to the receiving entity as soon as it is available, and, in any case, by not later than one (1) week from the closing date of the expression of interest. Applicants who, for reasons beyond their control, fail to present the required statement within the one-week period stipulated above, may request the receiving entity to extend the time limit by a further period which, in any case, may not exceed one (1) week. Reasons for delay should be clearly stated.
(c) Prior to requesting recognition statements related to their qualifications as per paragraph
(a) above, candidates should first consult the ”List of Accredited Courses Offered by Licensed Institutions” of the NCFHE which can be accessed on http://ncfhe.gov.mt/en/register/Pages/register.aspx. Applicants are exempt from submitting a recognition statement as mentioned in paragraph (a) if they are presenting qualifications listed therein. A print of such list including the qualification is to be presented by the applicant together with the application. However, in cases of doubt, the Selection Board may set aside this exemption and direct an applicant to procure a recognition statement from MQRIC. In such instances, the applicant shall be given one (1) month to procure the statement, subject to the possibility of extension as provided for in paragraph (b) above.
(d) No recognition statement by MQRIC is required in respect of qualifications issued by Maltese self-accrediting institutions, these being the University of Malta, Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) and the Institute for Tourism and Studies (ITS); or any Maltese qualification that has been accredited by the NCFHE, which on the certificate states: “The National Commission for Further and Higher Education deems this certificate to be MQF …”.

Salary:
The post of Head (Human Resources) carries the salary of €32,978.00 in 2021, with an annual increase of €808.00, annual increment of €640.67, annual Performance Bonus of maximum of 10% of salary, all inclusive annual Communication Allowance of €1,600.00 and an annual Expense Allowance of €1,500.00.

Submission of Applications:
Applications delivered by hand shall be time-stamped and acknowledged by a receipt issued by the HR Office of the SCSA. Applications sent via email will be acknowledged in writing within five (5) working days from date of receipt. If for any reason this receipt is not received, applicants are kindly requested to call the HR Office on 2549 4400 to confirm receipt of their application. SCSA will not be held responsible for applications which are not received due to an electronic failure, technical errors or other issues such as submission to an incorrect email address. SCSA reminds applicants that it is the applicants’ responsibility to check the status of their application.  Applications by post should be sent by registered mail and in sufficient time to ensure delivery by the closing date. These applications will be acknowledged in writing within five (5) working days from date of receipt. In the absence of an acknowledgment within five (5) working days from the closing date of applications, it is the responsibility of applicants concerned to confirm with the receiving entity whether the application was received by the closing date. Applications which are received after closing date and time (i.e. late applications) will not be accepted. The SCSA will not be held responsible for any late delivery of post from third parties. ​ Applicants are granted up to two (2) working days after closing date or up to two (2) working days from date of notification, whichever is the later, to submit any incorrect or incomplete documents. The chosen officer will be required to sign an undertaking signifying his commitment to the assignment for which he is selected.

Social Care Standards Authority:
The Social Care Standards Authority is a regulatory body set up by Act No. XV of 2018, the Authority is set to achieve its goal both through support and regulation, wherein the service user, as well as the service provider, will be actively involved in the ongoing process of standard development and improvement. SCSA aims in improving quality and standards in social welfare services to protect and enhance the dignity, safety, and welfare of all service users. SCSA achieves the above by Licensing social welfare providers; Establishing Social Regulation Standards in the Social welfare sector; Inspecting services and taking action to protect people who use services.