Location: Lisburn
Hours: Full-time (36.25 hours per week)

About the Role:

MPA Recruitment is currently seeking an organised and customer-focused HR Administrator on behalf of our client.

This is an excellent opportunity to join the People and Culture Directorate, supporting the Employee Services Team in delivering a professional, confidential and efficient HR administrative service.

The successful candidate will provide administrative support across a broad range of HR functions, including employee records, payroll administration, recruitment, employee absence, leave management and HR reporting. You will work closely with colleagues across HR, Payroll, IT and other departments to ensure information is accurate, deadlines are met and employees and managers receive a high standard of service.

This role would suit someone with strong administrative skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities in a busy office environment.

Key Responsibilities:

HR Administration and Employee Services

• Provide confidential administrative support across a range of HR functions, in line with organisational policies, employment legislation and data protection requirements.
• Maintain accurate employee records, databases, spreadsheets and electronic HR systems.
• Process and update employee information relating to starters, leavers, maternity and paternity leave, shared parental leave, flexible working, career breaks, sickness absence and other leave arrangements.
• Administer and monitor probationary reviews, ensuring managers are supported and the required documentation is completed and recorded.
• Respond to employee and manager queries relating to annual leave, terms and conditions, HR procedures and employee services.
• Monitor shared HR inboxes, respond to routine enquiries and ensure more complex matters are escalated appropriately.

Recruitment and Resourcing Support

• Provide administrative support to the Resourcing Team and other HR functions as required.
• Assist with sourcing suitable agency workers through agreed recruitment frameworks.
• Issue job notifications to employees who are absent from work due to sickness, maternity leave, career breaks or secondments.
• Support recruitment exercises, including supervising candidate assessments and helping to ensure a positive candidate experience.
• Assist with HR-related events and activities as required.

Payroll and Leave Administration

• Support monthly HR and payroll processes, ensuring all relevant deadlines are met.
• Prepare accurate payroll instructions and notify Payroll of changes to employee terms and conditions.
• Work alongside Payroll colleagues to complete monthly checking processes.
• Maintain sickness absence records and process fit notes on the relevant HR systems.
• Administer annual leave entitlements, leave accrual calculations and year-end carry-over arrangements.
• Support employee exit processes and ensure relevant information is provided to Payroll within required timescales.

Systems, Reporting and Record Management

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date HR information systems, databases and spreadsheets.
• Produce HR reports, statistics and management information for internal reporting and external requirements.
• Ensure electronic and paper records are maintained in line with GDPR and record retention policies.
• Assist with HR system updates, troubleshooting and the implementation of new systems and processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve administrative processes and support the implementation of audit recommendations.
• Assist with the preparation of information for Freedom of Information requests, Data Protection requests and other official enquiries.

Customer Service and Compliance

• Deliver a professional, approachable and customer-focused service to employees, managers and external stakeholders.
• Handle sensitive personal information with discretion and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Provide accurate information and guidance within the scope of the role, signposting or escalating queries where appropriate.
• Maintain effective working relationships across HR, Payroll, IT and other departments.
• Support compliance with organisational policies, procedures, employment legislation and information governance requirements.

What We’re Looking For:

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• Have at least five GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grades A–C / 9–4, including English and Maths, and a minimum of one year's experience working in a demanding office environment, carrying out a range of business support tasks.

OR

• Have at least two years' experience working in a demanding office environment, carrying out a range of business support tasks.

In addition, applicants must demonstrate:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Experience meeting the needs of internal and external customers.
• Effective planning, organisational and prioritisation skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide timely and accurate information.
• The ability to work under pressure, manage multiple deadlines and respond to changing priorities.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working within an HR administration function in a large, multi-site or multidisciplinary organisation.
• A relevant HR qualification or currently working towards one.
• Previous experience within local government or the public sector.
• Experience using HR information systems, maintaining employee records or supporting payroll administration.

What we Can Offer You:

• Weekly pay.
• Holiday pay.
• Pension contribution.
• 24/7 support from our dedicated recruitment consultants.
• Access to a wide range of public sector opportunities.
• Ongoing role availability — if one placement ends, we aim to secure another.

Why Apply:

• Gain valuable experience within the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service.
• Develop your knowledge across a broad range of HR and employee services functions.
• Build experience in recruitment administration, payroll support, employee records and HR systems.
• Work collaboratively with an experienced HR team within a public sector organisation.
• Strengthen your administrative and HR skills while supporting an essential public service.

MPA Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer.