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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
Defra Group Human Resources (HR) is a transforming HR function. We work with HR professionals who provide a professional service to Core Defra, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Rural Payments Agency, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Environment Agency and Natural England. We’re creating an effective, efficient and unified HR function across the Defra group, making it easier for our customers.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join the Employee Benefits and Pensions team within Defra Group HR. Working within the Pensions function, you will play an essential role in the management of closed pension schemes. You will provide both a support and challenge function to the SEO and wider Pensions Team. By being flexible and willing to undertake tasks with enthusiasm, you will be committed to achieve the best outcome. Given the fast-paced and customer facing environment in which we operate, the team needs to respond to emerging priorities.
Job description
Specific accountabilities are likely to include:
Supporting the work of the team in the transition of closed by-analogy pension schemes from throughout Defra Group.
Working with a variety of stakeholders to ensure timely progress is made on transitional activities relating to pension schemes. This will involve quality checking a variety of data sources to ensure accuracy, ensuring deadlines and targets are met.
Building excellent relationships with stakeholders to ensure smooth transition of schemes, updating Line Management on progressing and escalating issues. This will involve engaging with wider Pensions team colleagues, HR, Finance and Policy teams as well as Ministers.
Providing comprehensive and authoritative advice, to draw conclusions and explain and justify the position in a convincing way. Use available data and information both provided and identified through research.
Contribute to and influence policy development through researching and analysing requirements. Identify potential issues and proposing solutions ahead of issues becoming problems and establishing processes and procedures for policy implementation.
Apply innovative thought to emerging issues related to work, identifying any wider potential impact and providing solutions. To use initiative and apply creativity, personal judgement and expertise when resolving issues and advising HR and casework teams.
Contribute to the preparation and required engagement of papers required for remuneration committee, Ex Co and Permanent Secretary.
Build and influence relationships with internal and external customers. Use these contacts to gain an expertise of and resolve complex or cross-cutting issues.
Contribute to the work of the team, building capability of both Environment Agency and Civil Service Pensions team. Provide flexible support to ensure business continuity and managing pension cases and queries as they come through.
Person specification
We’re looking for the below skills, experience and behaviours and will ask you to demonstrate these in your application.
Essential Criteria
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with proven ability to understand and translate complex issues. Applying judgement to make sound judgments about recommended options/course of action and tailoring communications appropriately.
Exceptional drafting and presentation skills.
Excellent data and numerical skills with the ability to analyse and evaluate data.
The ability to prioritise and manage own workload when operating in a changing and fast-paced environment. You are able to show initiative to respond to changing business needs.
Working with and through others to overcome problems and identify solutions.
Proficient in MS Software packages including Excel, SharePoint and PowerPoint.
Ability to work at pace, being flexible and agile to respond to developments as they occur.
Management of a joint mailbox, adhering to record management and GDPR policies..
A knowledge and experience of pensions, especially Civil Service Pensions and Local Government Pension Schemes, or payroll, taxation or commercial processes would be advantageous but is not essential.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£6,997 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Department Benefits
Technology
Were a firm believer in agile and flexible working. When you join Defra, well kit you out with a new Windows 10 Laptop, smartphone and rucksack to make sure that you perform your best wherever you are.
Leave
25 days’ paid leave per annum rising to 30 days after five years service, in addition to eight public holidays. We also offer:
– Competitive maternity, paternity, parental and adoption leave
– Study leave for the pursuit of academic studies
– 3 days paid leave for volunteering per annum
– 15 days paid leave per year for reservist training
– Generous paid sick leave
Cycle to Work Scheme
Defra loans you a bike for your commute as a tax-free benefit. At the end of the loan period, you have the option to buy the bike, saving 30% of the original cost.
Season Ticket and Bicycle Loan
We offer interest-free season ticket loans, to all Defra employees with more than three months service, for purchasing train and bus season tickets, as well as station car parking. For those unable to take advantage of tax-free benefits, we also offer an interest-free bicycle loan to enable the purchase of a bicycle for commuting.
Gym, Social and Sports Activities
Our offices have a range of different onsite facilities, including gym, fitness facilities, games room, showers and cycle storage. There are also a variety of networks and social groups to join. Ask your line manager for more information.
Restaurant and Café Facilities
A range of our offices offer onsite restaurant and café facilities.
Civil Service Benefits
Pension
Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package, and you will be given the chance to join one of three different pension plans. You can find more information on the Civil Service Pension on the MyCSP Website at www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk
Civil Service Sports Council
The Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) organises a wide choice of activities throughout the UK, from art, gliding, abseiling and orienteering to cabaret weekends and quiz and curry nights. Your CSSC membership will provide you with FREE access to hundreds of national and local sites, in addition to savings at many high street stores, cinemas, restaurants and historic houses.
Blended Working
Defra operates a blended working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.
Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. There is flexibility to split the working week, spending minimum of 40-60% in the workplace, unless exceptional circumstances apply and/or you are a contractual home worker.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, a 500 word personal statement and three Behaviour Statements (250 words per statement).
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead Behaviour (Changing and Improving). Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift, assessment and interview dates to be confirmed.
These dates are indicative only.
Interview
At interview you will be assessed on Strengths and all Behaviours listed.
A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
Interviews will be held via Video link.
Location
Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Internal (core Defra) employees can apply for this role and choose to remain in their current location or to be based in one of the advertised locations.
All other applicants will be based in one of the advertised locations.
Defra continues to support a blended working model and candidates are currently expected to attend their office base for 40-60% of the week.
Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
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 Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.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
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be 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 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.
Internal Fraud Database Check
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.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Full Time Only
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Higher Security Clearance
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra 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 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 : Scott Morrice
- Email : scott.morrice@defra.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission.
