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We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates
At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.
Equality and Diversity – Department for Education
We are recruiting for two exciting posts in the Life Skills Division within DfE’s Schools Group. Our Division focuses on policy relating to a range of wider aspects of learning and pastoral support which every pupil should get as part of a broad educational experience, regardless of the subjects they study.
One role sits within the RSHE, Citizenship and Equalities Unit. The team is currently reviewing the RSHE statutory guidance which has had considerable interest from the Prime Minister and the Education Secretary, who announced recently that the government expects new statutory guidance to be released in the coming months. It will then be subject to public consultation to conclude by the end of 2023, coming into statutory force as soon as possible after that. This SEO role will support this review and support the wider work of the unit in briefing Ministers and delivering on Business of State.
Another role sits within the Pupil Physical Education and Mental Wellbeing Unit, and will lead the Department’s work on enrichment and extracurricular activities in schools. These activities can have a profound impact on the wellbeing and educational engagement of young people and sometimes are the very thing that keeps them coming to school. The role will manage key relationships and projects, particularly leading the Department’s work to expand access to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Combined Cadet Forces. The role will also lead on drafting enrichment policy advice and guidance documents in response to ministerial interest, and work closely with DCMS on new pilot activities relating to school enrichment.
Both roles will work with colleagues across different parts of the DfE, wider government and with key stakeholders.
There will be some contract and project management including feeding into the teams reporting to the DD-led Life Skills Division programme board which monitors the performance of the division.
In addition, the post holder will also be expected to draft submissions, briefing and correspondence, often sensitive and complex in nature. The nature of our work means we are often reactive and find ourselves working at pace, with the involvement of No.10, Ministers and SpAds.
Job description
RSHE and Citizenship Lead
- Lead discrete aspects of the review process; the detail is tbc but is likely to include stakeholder engagement, summarise evidence, undertaking deep dives on specific topics, and drafting advice for ministers and others.
- Oversee the allocation of business of state cases for the team including advising HEOs on handling and leading on drafting responses to complex cases as required.
- Lead aspects of the citizenship curriculum brief, including preparing ministerial briefing packs and responding to complex briefing requests.
- Manage relationships with colleagues across different parts of the DfE, wider government and with key stakeholders.
- Contract management, project management and supporting unit reporting to the Life Skills Division programme board.
Enrichment Lead
- Leading the Departments work on the expansion of the Duke of Edinburghs Award and Cadet Forces, working in close partnership with DCMS and MoD respectively. This will involve contract and relationship management with the Duke of Edinburghs Award organisation, and financial oversight of any grants relating to these projects.
- Leading partnership working with DCMS on pilots for supporting enrichment activities in schools.
- Leading other work to develop our support for schools on enrichment, helping to ensure pupils can access high quality extracurricular activities that support their wellbeing and development. This may involve developing policy options, drafting guidance or other policy documents, leading consultation and sector engagement, managing relationships with grant recipients or suppliers involved in our work, or other tasks as required.
- Managing relationships with a range of other internal and external stakeholders as agreed across the team. This will involve making links with other policy teams in DfE, such as those leading on music, sport, cultural education and childcare, as well as teams in other government departments.
- Ensuring correspondence, briefings and other commissions relating to enrichment, Duke of Edinburgh or Cadets are delivered on time and to a high standard, including drafting own work and task managing others within the team.
- Supporting the team to respond to other cross-departmental and cross-government relating to enrichment.
- Working flexibly across other unit and divisional priorities as required.
Person specification
We are looking for a capable policy professional with experience of:
Essential criteria
- Working in a policy, strategy or similar role, particularly roles requiring navigation of a complex or controversial policy landscape and making effective decisions, often at pace.
- Preparing advice, briefings, correspondence, PQs and other policy documents, demonstrating excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail.
- Managing relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders, demonstrating excellent relationship management skills and ability to build effective relationships with people internally and externally, often with wide-ranging views.
- Working in a fast-paced environment, both leading work independently and working collaboratively with others.
Desirable criteria
- Working on policy relevant to the Life Skills Division, such as equalities, wellbeing, personal development, or youth activities.
- Working with other professions within DfE such legal, financial, commercial, communications or analytical colleagues.
- Project management, grant/contract management or other financial management experience.
Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Departments transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK, with an average employer contribution of 27%.
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years service. In addition, all staff receive the Kings Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Applicant Support
Please visit the below webinars for further information and support in completing your application and preparing for an interview:
- How to craft a well written job application in the UK Civil Service
- Crafting a CV that stands out in the UK Civil Service
- Writing a personal statement in the UK Civil Service
- How to ace interviews in the public service
Application Stage
At the application stage, we will assess Experience. Candidates will be sifted through their CV and a personal statement. Your personal statement (750 words) should display how your experience meets the essential criteria of the role, listed in the Person Specification section.
To confirm, the maximum word count for the personal statement is 750 words. Please adhere to this limit as anything over 750 words will not be taken into account.
Interview Stage
The interview will involve a discussion around the Behaviours listed above and Strength based questions.
Feedback on your application will only be provided if you attend an interview.
Other Information
We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.
The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.
DfE cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DfE holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs
Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.
Reasonable adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Enrichment: helen.hoogewerf-mccomb@education.gov.uk or RSHE and Citizenship Lead: laurie.bailey@education.gov.uk
- Email : helen.hoogewerf-mccomb@education.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : AdvertsRecruitment.DFE@education.gov.uk
Further information
