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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 have an exciting opportunity for Executive Officer within the Life Skills Division.
The post holder would work within the Physical Education School Sport and Physical Activity (PESSPA) team. The post sits within the team that leads on Dept of State Functions and the Primary PE and Sport Premium support and the post holder will be responsible for managing the PESSPA Commissions Hub.
We are a high-profile team in a high priority government programme, focused on delivering ministers priorities. This gives us opportunities to work with ministers, Special Advisers, and senior officials, and we have strong and close working relationships with colleagues in HM Treasury and No 10.
The PESSPA team is currently supporting Ministers in developing new policy for PE and school sport with a focus on delivering change on the ground and raising the profile within a schools culture and values. There is high profile engagement with the sector including stakeholders such as the Association for PE, the Youth Sports Trust and the Football Association and with for example. the England Womens football team who are calling for greater access to school sport for girls.
The team have just published the School Sport and Activity Action Plan with DCMS and DHSC. The team are also responsible for a £320m a year Primary PE and Sport Premium, and funding has been agreed for the next two academic years. The team is currently working on developing a digital monitoring tool for schools to report how they are using their PE and Sport Premium.
Job description
We are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic, and proactive EO to work work as part of the policy team, who are keen to get experience reviewing, preparing and evaluating departmental policy. The successful post holders will have:
- Strong drafting skills, to be able to lead on drafting replies to a diverse range of correspondence from MPs, the public and stakeholders; and to be able to support the team to develop, maintain, assess and update our core brief/lines to take/ other business of state materials (POs/TOs/ PQs).
- Ability to build positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders, to be able to support the team to manage external and internal stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills, and an ability to develop, implement, maintain and review internal systems that deliver excellence, to be able to manage the Unit’s IRIS dashboard, including allocating and rejecting cases.
- Willingness to work flexibly across areas and at pace, to be able to support the team with ad-hoc ministerial briefings and to prepare for Parliamentary debates.
This role includes a Level 4 Policy Apprenticeship. Please check the eligibility requirements below using the apprenticeship standard: Policy officer / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
- You must have lived in the UK and/or EU for 3 years prior to apprenticeship start date and not be undertaking another apprenticeship at the same time.
- You must not already have a substantial amount of the skills and knowledge that is covered in the contents of the apprenticeship standard.
- You must not have already worked in a similar role, or your previous learning, and/or work experience covers the contents (Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours) of the apprenticeship standard.
Please note: This is a Level 4 qualification, please do not apply if:
- You already have all the skills and knowledge that is covered in the contents of the apprenticeship standard.
- You have already worked in a similar role, or your previous learning, and/or work experience covers the contents (Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours) of the apprenticeship standard.
- You have a degree (or equivalent) in Policy (or similar).
- Part of this apprenticeship is to complete a level 2 English and maths functional skills qualification. If you have already achieved GCSEs in English and maths at Level 4 (grade C) or equivalent or a higher grade, you will not need to complete the functional skills qualification.
At the enrolment state, the individual’s eligibility will be checked by the training provider.
Person specification
We are looking for people with experience in, or willingness to learn, the Department’s business of state systems.
The successful candidates will have excellent communication skills and be able to engage colleagues within DfE and across other government departments.
They will be well organised, a good team player and committed to supporting work which has a positive impact on young people’s lives.
We would encourage applications from those that can show evidence of the below essential criteria:
- Good written and verbal communication, with the ability to communicate concisely and coherently to a variety of audiences.
- The ability to build strong, positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills and excellent attention to detail.
- The ability to work flexibly and at pace.
Desirable criteria:
- Programme and project management experience would be useful but not essential.
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 King’s 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 should display how your experience meets the essential criteria of the role, listed in the Person Specification section.
Interview Stage:
The interview will involve Behaviour and Strength-based questions. The Behaviours assessed will be:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
Feedback on your application will only be provided if you attend an interview. Sift date to be confirmed.
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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Nationality requirements
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 : Richard Radford
- Email : richard.radford@education.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : AdvertsRecruitment.DFE@education.gov.uk
Further information
