People and Organisational Development Manager

Summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a People and Organisational Development Manager to enhance our People Services team based at our Service Headquarters. You'll join us on a Permanent contract working 37 hours per week, in return you will receive a competitive salary starting at £51802.00 rising to £55636.00 (gross) per annum. 

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is the largest non-metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England. We provide prevention, protection and response services across the counties of Devon and Somerset. 

Our vision is that together, we will work to end preventable fire and rescue emergencies, creating a safer world for you and your family. Keeping people safe is what we do, and we owe our fantastic reputation to our highly skilled and motivated workforce. 

About the role: 

As our People and Organisational Development Manager you will lead on and oversee the development and implementation of best practice people and organisational development strategies through the design and delivery of Organisational Development (OD) interventions to support Performance, Culture, EDI and Psychological Safety to enable DSFRS to meet its goals, objectives and People Strategy. 

You will be an innovative leader, developing and implementing key cultural change and service improvement strategies to drive forward our people improvement journey. 

You will lead, drive and embed people and organisational development across all levels of the organisation; being an equality and inclusion champion, challenging non-compliance with the Service's equality, diversity and inclusion policies, procedures and core values. 

You will also lead on collaboration with the Academy to support and advise on the design and delivery of L&D interventions to deliver key Service improvement actions.  

Find out more:

Key responsibilities of our People and Organisational Development Manager: 

• To lead Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service in the development of a People and Organisational Development strategy and roadmap, and an EDI strategy and roadmap in liaison with appropriate departments, agencies and other organisations. 
• Lead the continued people improvement and cultural journey at the organisation driving improved cultural experiences to address key areas of challenge and required development. 
• To lead, research, develop and implement policies, practices and government recommendations on people, organisation and EDI development requirements. 
• Act as key liaison between People Services and the Academy team, ensuring clear communication of strategic and practical aims and ensuring seamless collaboration between the teams. 
• To develop the people development training strategy in collaboration with the Academy and promote best practice through training and development of workshops / courses. 
• To manage the People, Organisation and EDI development budget and monitor and maintain accurate records on FIMS.
• To lead the Service in the development of positive action campaigns in relation to recruitment, retention and progression of women, people of black, Asian and minority ethnic heritage and other diversity groups. 
• To lead the Service in working towards the Equalities Framework for Fire and Rescue Services and similar standards. In addition, ensure that the Service meets the best practice recommendations of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. 
• To provide information and advice for individuals and managers on all relevant people and organisational development topics - Provide OD capability in designing, developing and delivering cultural improvements relating to Human and Organisational Performance, Culture and Psychological Safety. 
• To provide appropriate challenge to Service leadership to ensure a 'people first' approach, fully embedding people impact assessments at all levels. 
• To support and advise on the alignment and delivery of the people element of the Fire Standards including ethics, learning and development. 

Closing date: 1200hrs Noon 31 March 2025

For more information, or for an informal discussion about the role, please contact Chris Howes - Assistant Director of People, via chowes@dsfire.gov.uk

If you feel you have the skills and experience to become our People and Organisational Development Manager please click 'apply' today, we would love to hear from you. 

The successful candidate must, by the commencement of employment, have the right to work in the UK. 

How to apply:

You will be required to complete an application form and submit a document detailing how you meet the following essential criteria taken from the job description and person specification. 

1. Significant and demonstrable experience of leading and advising in People, Organisational Development and EDI development. 
2. Significant and demonstrable experience in leading and advising in cultural change and service improvement. 
3. Significant and demonstrable experience of developing people and organisational development strategies and roadmaps. 
4. Significant and demonstrable experience of working with leadership teams to build awareness of the strategic importance of equality, diversity and inclusion. 
5. Proven evidence of developing and delivering people and organisational initiatives at an organisation level. 

To help you complete this part of the application form please find below the word document "Essential Criteria for my People and Organisational Development Manager Application" for you to download and complete with your evidence for the above criteria. You can then upload this document where requested when completing your application. 

Please note the evidence that you need to upload to your application should not exceed 2000 words in total (excluding titles). 

Evidence submitted in relation to the essential criteria above will be used to shortlist any applications received. 

Our values

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment and adhere to the Services' Safeguarding Policy. 

Fire and Rescue Authority roles are listed in Schedule 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and as such it is our policy to require all applicants to disclose any criminal convictions (both spent and unspent) including driving offences, cautions and reprimands. 

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority are committed to the Rehabilitation of offenders, as such any positive disclosures will incorporate a reasonable and proportionate response. 

As a Service and as individuals:

• We are proud to help.
• We are honest.
• We are respectful.
• We are working together.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service recognise and celebrate the vast diversity of the local communities that we serve, and we aspire for this to be reflected in our workforce. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, experience and beliefs, who share our values to consider working for us.