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About the job
Job summary
Are you an experienced IT professional? Would you like to lead the IT and digital strategy development and implementation at a new environmental organisation?
The Office for Environmental Protections (the OEP) mission is to protect and recover the environment. Created by the Environment Act 2021, our role is to hold Government and public bodies to account. The OEP does this in several ways including reporting on progress against environmental targets, advising on changes to environmental laws and receiving complaints from the public which can lead to us taking enforcement action.
This role is based in the OEP’s Chief of Staff directorate. This directorate leads our work on business strategy and planning, governance and communications, as well as finance and corporate services, which comprise of HR, IT, procurement and estates.
With a total staff of just over 70, we are a small but growing, friendly and flexible organisation covering both England, Northern Ireland, and environmental matters reserved to the UK government. We offer flexible working arrangements, high profile, dynamic work and the chance to have an impact on improving the environment.
The OEP is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra in England and DAERA in Northern Ireland, which means it operates independently from Defra and DAERA and is not part of the UK Civil Service. Our employees are public servants.
To find out more about the OEP, what we do, who we are and our current work, visit the OEP website.
Job description
The role holder will be responsible for developing and implementing the OEPs independent IT and digital strategy. This must deliver outsourced end-user computing for 70 plus staff at our offices in England and Northern Ireland and remotely, the OEP website, and systems for complaints management, HR, travel booking and finance. The successful candidate will manage one member of staff, the SEO IT officer.
The role holder will;
- Engage with senior managers and the board to deliver, maintain and further develop the OEPs independent IT and Digital strategy to meet the organisations needs, in line with the four agreed design principles: cloud first, security by design, common standards, and web accessibility, and the UK Governments Technology Code of Practice. This includes the approach to cloud, outsourcing, digital services and the OEP website.
- Be accountable for all aspects of IT service development and implementation, ensuring that effective processes are in place to deliver the IT and Digital strategy, and that effective support is available to OEP service users either in-house or through third party IT providers. This includes all relevant aspects of making a successful transition to the OEPs new offices in Worcester planned for September 2023.
- Encourage innovation and continuous improvement to IT and Digital services through feedback and collaboration with senior managers, service users, business partners and other stakeholders, including continued assessment of the benefits of new and emerging technology.
- Ensure systems are in place to pro-actively manage the performance of IT suppliers, ensuring that all issues and incidents are resolved within the times and to the quality specified in the service level agreements. Manage a multi-supplier landscape, with multiple cloud-based services to ensure that they work holistically across the OEP and to provide management oversight and business engagement leadership during incidents. Business planning for, financial management of and reporting on IT and digital budget lines.
- Work with the Chief of Staff as Senior Information Risk Officer, other senior OEP users and the Data Protection Officer to create and oversee the delivery of a data management framework which clearly sets out data management responsibilities and to develop and oversee the delivery of IT policies covering areas such as security, access management and change control.
- Be a strong leader and team player, working with all teams across the OEP providing expert IT and digital advice and judgement to novel problems that require creative solutions, providing written and verbal briefings to senior management and the OEP Board.
The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Person specification
Essential experience and skills:
- Substantial experience of IT and digital services management at a senior level including functions such as the administration of modern cloud-based IT systems including hardware, software, networks, web-services, user connectivity, data and security.
- Excellent understanding of IT and the digital marketplace including government commercial frameworks to support service design, set up and delivery. You will have significant experience in procuring IT solutions and managing the relationship with suppliers to ensure agreed performance targets are met.
- Comprehensive understanding of IT and digital technologies and how they can be used to support the delivery of quality services in a modern, high-profile organisation, operating in a regulatory and political landscape.
- Excellent inter-personal and communication skills with proven track record of leading and managing staff; and influencing senior leaders, stakeholders and suppliers on a range of business issues including strategy, emerging technology, service improvement, performance management and to resolve potential conflicts as necessary.
- Substantial planning and organisational skills to plan and manage resources and workloads across multiple projects and balance conflicting demands. MSP, Prince, APM or equivalent accreditation is desirable.
- Flexible and adaptable mindset with the ability to adapt quickly to change, while remaining aligned with the organisations strategy and priorities.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Comprehensive understanding of IT and digital technologies and how they can be used to support the delivery of quality services in a modern, high-profile organisation, operating in a regulatory and political landscape.
Benefits
Pension
The OEP offers a generous defined benefit, inflation-proof Civil Service Pension which is a valuable part of your total reward package. Upon joining the OEP, staff can opt to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme which, depending on salary, offers a personal contribution rate of between 4.6% and 7.35%, and an employer contribution rate of between 26.6% and 30.3%. There is also the option to join a partnership scheme. Full details and benefits of the options available to you can be found on the Civil Service Pension Portal.
Leave and Flexible Working
The OEP offers 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days over 5 years for all new entrants.
Additional paid leave is available where necessary to cater for a variety of situations including, but not limited to, family-related leave, volunteering days, exam and study leave, public duties and trade union activities. In addition, we offer a generous enhanced maternity leave, parental leave and shared parental leave policy.
The OEP is supportive of flexible working and has a flexible working policy to allow for variations in individuals working hours where this is compatible with business need.
Performance Management and In Year Bonus Scheme
The OEP is committed to promoting a high-performing culture for all employees. Performance and development management is key to developing trusting relationships between managers and employees so that they can be their best and thrive at work. Every individual will have a performance management plan which will be reviewed on a regular basis.
The OEP has a quarterly In-year Bonus Scheme where individuals and/ or teams can be recognised for outstanding one-off contributions and achievements.
Learning and Development
The OEP is a learning organisation and strongly supports the continuous professional development of all employees through both personal and work related study. The OEP will pay for one relevant profession membership per employee to support continuous professional development.
Every employee has access to five days learning and development each year to support professional development. This could be through Civil Service Learning mandatory and voluntary learning, corporate inductions, staff events and welcome days as well as relevant professional qualifications and specific courses.
Staff Wellbeing
Staff wellbeing is extremely important and the OEP strives to provide access to numerous resources to aid the wellbeing of its employees. Current initiatives include:
- Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing free and confidential 24/7 telephone advice and guidance to support employees with both personal and employment issues. This may include personal wellbeing, career development or legal matters such as landlord / tenant disputes.
- Access to an Occupational Health Service to provide a range of support service to help with the way you feel at work.
- Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders and wider Defra Group mental health first aid network and resources.
- Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness, meditation and sleep app.
- Access to a Financial Wellbeing Portal.
- Free eye tests and a contribution to glasses/ lenses if required for VDU use.
Salary Sacrifice, Discounts and SmartTech Benefits
All employees have access to the STaR, Reward Gateway an online platform providing access to hundreds of discounts, offers and cashback options with well-known retailers. They offer a SmartTech scheme, a Cash Healthcare plan and numerous other benefits and services.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
The OEP uses the Civil Service Success Profile framework which is made up of five elements: Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical. It is strongly recommend you have a look at the Success Profiles to enable you to make the best application possible. When writing behaviours at application stage or presenting behaviours in interview, the OEP recommends you use the STAR format to present your answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV detailing qualifications and work history; a 1000 word Statement of Suitability on how you meet the essential experience and skills criteria criteria outlined in the person specification.
The personal statement is a very important part of your application. Review the person specification on the job description and outline how you meet it providing specific and relevant examples. These could be from work, volunteering, training or education.
Further details are provided on the application form.
Sift
After the closing date, your application will be reviewed against essential criteria outlined in the person specification.
Candidates who pass the sift may be progressed straight to assessment/interview.
The sift will be conducted and applicants will be notified shortly after the closing date. Please note that feedback will not be given to applications at sift stage.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to an interview where you will be assessed on the experience, behaviours and technical elements outlined in the advert.
Prior to interview or at interview, you may be required to complete an additional exercise or deliver a presentation. If this is required details will be sent alongside your invite to interview.
All interviews will be held virtually on MS Teams.
Appointments
All appointments will be made in merit order.
Candidates will be required to show proof of qualifications and/ or memberships at or following interview.
Identification
Candidates will need to bring photo ID to interview to confirm identity.
Following interview, ID will need to be checked for Right to Work and BPSS security clearance. This will be done by secure online platforms via the Government Recruitment Service.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. All appointments will be made in merit order.
Near Miss Appointments
On occasion candidates may attend an interview for the advertised post but will narrowly miss the standard required at interview. The OEP may, where appropriate, consider such candidates for alternative, similar posts at a lower grade.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
Location
All OEP roles are based in Worcester and/ or Northern Ireland.
All GB employees will be contractually based at the Worcester office. The OEP supports a blended working model and will support a combination of office and home working which will be dependent on business need and individual circumstances. GB based employees are expected to attend the office in Worcester for 40-60% of the week. If GB based, travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to the office.
Employees based in Northern Ireland will be contractually home based. There will be an expectation of travel to Worcester but this will be dependent on business need and individual circumstances. As a guideline, its envisaged that travel to Worcester would be between 4 and 6 times a year, fully funded by the OEP. However, travel will be a 2-way commitment, with other OEP staff members being expected to travel to NI at a similar frequency. Northern Ireland based staff currently have access to a touch down space in Belfast to enable collaborative working.
If the candidate is an internal candidate, they retain the right to their current contractual location unless TUPE restrictions apply. Home working contracts will not be issued for GB based staff.
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 the OEP at recruitment@theoep.org.uk as 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.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Criminal Record Check
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Access NI on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please note that the OEP is not a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence Sponsor and is unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to the OEP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at 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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : OEP Recruitment
- Email : recruitment@theoep.org.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@theoep.org.uk
Further information
