Job Description

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Salary: 18,900 per annum, rising to 22,011 per annum after 12 months

Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 18 months

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours

Location: Polaris House, North Star Ave, Swindon SN2 1FL

Closing Date: Sunday, 28th September 2025

Interview Date: w/c 13th October 2025

Start Date: w/c 10th November 2025

UKRI Research and Innovation (UKRI) is offering an exciting opportunity to join our HR Operations team as an HR Support Assistant apprentice. The HR Operations teams provide high-quality advice and support to people managers and employees on day-to-day HR queries, key HR processes, UKRI policies and employee relations cases as they arise. Working closely with the HR Advisors, and with interaction from the Centres of Expertise and UK Shared Business Services, you will be the first point of contact for many employees and managers. The role is busy and varied, with key activities required; therefore, good organisational skills are essential.


The role is ideal for someone starting their HR career who will be supported by HR Operations colleagues and will be encouraged to get involved with activities run by the UKRI Early Careers Network and UKRI Apprenticeship Team.

About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities

As an HR Support Assistant Apprentice, you'll provide essential support to the HR Operations department, including:


Provide advice to employees and managers on UKRI policy and processes Review and action staff change forms and provide advice on associated policy and completion of forms where appropriate. Act as gatekeeper for the HR inbox, ensuring queries are dealt with in a timely manner, managing day-to-day queries and escalating to the appropriate person/team if appropriate Champion the use of HR self-service options to aid line managers and employees on generic HR policy and process queries Handle and manage confidential data where required Deliver inductions for new starters and assist with any onboarding issues, including issuing of day one email/checklist to new starters and line managers. Support the occupational health referral process, including contact with employees, line managers and medical practitioners. Support casework, which includes providing routine advice and guidance and taking notes at meetings as and when required. Support HR initiatives and internal projects, as appropriate Look for opportunities to continuously improve in-house HR related processes, also in conjunction with UK SBS Support activities such as Instant Award and In-Year/ End-of-Year Award schemes and Training Workshops.

What You Will Learn

As an apprentice, at least 20% of your contracted working hours will be dedicated to undertaking professional development and training as part of a cohort of apprentices with Babington , completing the Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship . This professional development programme, delivered over 15 months, covers essential themes that are designed to develop your knowledge and experience to become a well-rounded, proficient HR professional. Sessions will be delivered online through workshops, small group study sessions and self-guided study. You will also be supported on a 1:1 basis throughout your apprenticeship by a dedicated Coach.


Throughout the course, you will build a portfolio of work, demonstrating your application of HR Support tools and techniques.


Towards the end of the programme, you will be supported on a 1:1 basis to prepare you for your End Point Assessment. The End Point Assessment will include the completion of a Workplace Project to enable you to demonstrate the required Knowledge, Behaviours and Skills required to pass.


To support your development, you will receive:


A dedicated line manager and mentor Regular progress reviews with the training provider and line manager Opportunities to work alongside experienced HR professionals Time and guidance to build a portfolio of evidence aligned to the apprenticeship's knowledge, skills, and behaviours Involvement in real-world work that contributes directly to supporting UKRI's workforce
Upon completion of this apprenticeship, you will achieve:


Nationally recognised Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship CIPD L3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice Opportunity to apply for Associate CIPD membership upon completion

Person Specification

The following criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I), or both (S&I).

Essential:

Committed to working towards the Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship (S&I) Achieved - or predicted to achieve by August 2025 - 2 GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) in Maths and English (S) Excellent presentation and written communication skills as demonstrated within your CV and Covering Letter (S&I) - the successful candidate will be required to construct clear and grammatically correct emails, meeting notes and draft simple reports Strong organisational and time management abilities (S&I) Good attention to detail and levels of accuracy (S&I) Good verbal communication and interpersonal skills (I) Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) (S&I) Ability to work both independently and as part of a team (S&I) An understanding of handling sensitive and confidential information appropriately (S&I)

Desirable:

Experience using collaboration tools (e.g., SharePoint, Teams) (S&I) Experience of working in an administrative and customer-focused role (S&I) - this role requires a high level of customer care Demonstrable experience of working within a busy team (S&I)

Employee Benefits:

30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days). Flexible working hours. An excellently defined average salary pension scheme. Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking. Excellent learning and development opportunities. Cycle to work scheme. Discount vouchers for high street stores and attractions
A full list of our benefits, can be found here: https://www.ukri.org/about-us/work-for-us/working-at-ukri/


As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y

Important Information

To complete the apprenticeship, you will need to provide evidence of Maths and English GCSE grade A-C / 9-4 or equivalent
You will need to have been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years prior to the start of the apprenticeship, or fit the criteria of eligible residency status in the Apprenticeship Funding Rules. Apprenticeship funding rules, 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK You cannot already hold the same or similar qualifications, i.e. CIPD Level 3.

Application Guidance

Please note, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early; therefore, we strongly encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

As part of your application, you will need to submit both a CV and a cover letter.


Your cover letter should clearly outline how you meet each of the essential criteria listed in the advert. Please ensure you provide specific examples where possible. In addition, candidates must include their GCSE grades or predicted grades in their CV. Applications that do not include this information may not be progressed.
As part of our shortlisting process, we may be required to determine your eligibility to undertake the programme based on the information provided within your application. By applying for this apprenticeship, you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider. The training provider will also ask you to complete an initial assessment during the application process.


We will be in touch after the closing date; however, please email Apprentice Recruitment at apprenticerecruitment@ukri.org quoting the vacancy title and reference number if you have any questions.