HR Adviser (Headquarters, Chelmsford)

Location of Role: Chelmsford 

Advert Closing Date: 17/11/2026 

Job Grade/Rank: £40,383

Part/Full Time: Full Time 

Contract Type: Secondment/Temporary 

Working Pattern: Mon-Fri 

Weekend/Evening Working: No

An exciting and challenging opportunity has arisen to join the Operational Humam Resources (HR) Team as a project based Human Resources Adviser (HRA) based at Essex Headquarters, Chelmsford. This is a full-time position (37 hours per week) for a period of six months, providing additional support for a range of exceptional projects and business priorities.

Working closely with the Head of Employee Relations and the Senior HR Business Partner, you will undertake a variety of bespoke HR project work while providing professional HR support across the organisation, as required.

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about delivering an excellent customer experience to both internal and external stakeholders. You will demonstrate personal drive, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and a commitment to adding value to the delivery of a HR service across two forces. You will have experience supporting managers with change, attendance and performance-related matters and be able to use your experience to support the development of our HR functions.

The role involves providing expert HR advice, guidance and development of projects and processes covering a wide range of generalist HR matters. Responsibilities will include supporting the development of formal employment processes such as grievance, discipline and capability cases, coordinating attendance management activities, and supporting the HR governance processes.

A key aspect of the role is developing management capability through coaching, guidance and training. As such, you will be confident in building effective relationships and knowledge and skills requirements across a broad range of HR disciplines.

Applicants must have previous experience in a similar HR role and hold, as a minimum, a CIPD Level 3 Certificate in Human Resources Practice, NVQ/SVQ Level 3, or be able to demonstrate equivalent recent and relevant HR experience. A sound knowledge of employment law and its practical application is essential, together with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You will be capable of influencing and challenging constructively, presenting clear and persuasive advice, and supporting managers through complex people matters.

This is a demanding and rewarding role that requires the ability to work effectively under pressure, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines while contributing positively as part of a collaborative team.

When completing your application, you should clearly demonstrate:

• Experience of working in an HR role at a similar level.
• Knowledge and practical application of employment law.
• Knowledge and understanding of HR policies and procedures.
• Achievement of a CIPD Level 3 qualification, NVQ/SVQ Level 3, or equivalent experience.
• Experience of influencing and managing difficult conversations.
• Evidence of taking personal responsibility and ownership for delivering outcomes.

The base location for this role will be Essex Headquarters, Chelmsford. However, the successful candidate will be required to travel occasionally to other locations across Essex and Kent.

For the full job description please click here. 

Your application for this role will be shortlisted on the content you provide within the “reason for application” question, within the application form itself. CV’s, covering letters or attachments are not included in the shortlist. Within your “reason for application” answer, please refer to any experience, skills, and abilities you feel you have that will make you suitable for this role, based on the role criteria stated in the job advert or job description. Please provide as much detail as possible as insufficient content may mean you do not meet the shortlisting criteria, however please note this question is limited to 9000 characters and this system will count spaces and blank lines as characters. This count may differ from the Microsoft Word word count function therefore you may wish to use a different online character counter to check the characters used.

Depending on your current vetting level and security clearances, you may be required to complete additional vetting information during the recruitment process.

Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, or employment status.

Please let us know if you require extra support at any stage of the application process, or for further information regarding this position, please email us at recruitment.business.services@ecis.police.uk stating ‘Application Support and Adjustments’ in the title of your email. Alternatively, you can call us on 01245 452833. Where appropriate we will make adjustments to the selection process, working arrangements and/or the working environment provided it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.

If you’re not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. If you’re from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesn’t apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.

As a Disability Confident Leader we:

• have subjected our Disability Confident self-assessment to external challenge and validation
• are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion are central to the values of our organisation. At Essex Police we value and embrace the unique experiences, identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work.

Through the dedicated commitment of our support networks, DE&I team and wider HR departments, we are on a journey to embed our DE&I commitments, ensuring Essex Police is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included.

Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes.