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Job summary
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
You will be joining the team at an exciting time just as we look to make technological improvements and build in greater automation to achieve our ambition to continue to be recognised as a Financial Centre of Excellence.
Job description
As Directorate Support and Performance Lead, you will provide close administrative support to senior civil servants in a role that provides unique challenges and opportunities.
The role requires excellent communication skills, strong judgement, the ability to work as a team player and influence decision makers. The post holder will focus on working flexibly to ensure the smooth running of Directorate support with a desire to develop and work together as a team key to successful delivery.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills are critical to this role, with the ability to manage upwards with confidence in advising senior leaders being desirable but not essential. The post holder will have a flexible and cross Directorate role liaising with internal stakeholders to ensure the smooth running of work completed across Funding Directorate, Data Science and Service Delivery. A desire to develop and work together as a team player to deliver successfully would be welcomed along with the ability to identify and solve problems. You will be joining the team at an exciting time just as we look to make technological improvements and build in greater automation to achieve our ambition to continue to be recognised as a Financial Centre of Excellence.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
We are looking for someone to be able to demonstrate experience or a desire to learn these essential criteria:
- Experience of developing good working relationships with stakeholders and communicating effectively with colleagues at all levels, including proactively seeking feedback from colleagues and senior leaders.
- Experience of acting as the secretariat for meetings, organising the agenda and ensuring actions, minutes and plans are maintained and reviewed.
- Experience of driving forward priorities to support business effectively including assisting in producing high quality briefings to prepare for meetings.
- Experience of examining complex information and providing advice and feedback to support others, to help inform accurate decisions.
- Experience of providing clear commissions and steers to relevant colleagues in advance of meetings and events and obtaining contributions from all appropriate stakeholders.
Desirable criteria
- Ability to work independently, manage a busy workload and achieve deadlines in a complex environment leading pieces of work from inception to completion.
- Experience of managing information systems such as Microsoft Office, Teams and SharePoint or automation development such as Power Apps and Power BI.
- Sound understanding of the principles of performance reporting.
- Good written and verbal communication skills with the ability to relay information effectively to stakeholders.
- Capacity to work collaboratively within a multi-stakeholder environment, developing successful relationships between own team and other areas.
- Be proactive with good judgement and excellent organisational skills, as well as a keen eye for detail.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to digest large amounts of information filtering out key themes and common issues.
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
Application
To apply for this role, please provide your CV and a 500-word personal statement demonstrating you have the essential and desirable skills and experience for the role. We will sift using your CV and statement against the listed essential criteria.
Sifting for this role will take place w/c 8th January
Interviews
Interviews will consist of experience and behaviour-based questions covering the behaviours: Working Together, Delivering at Pace and Managing a Quality Service. You will also be asked some strength-based questions. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.
Interviews for this role are planned for this role w/c 22nd January and w/c 29th January.
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.
Security
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).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Iain Anderson
- Email : iain.anderson@education.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : AdvertsRecruitment.DFE@education.gov.uk