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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people’s day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink. The environment, food production, and farming practices increasingly occupy centre stage in public and policy debates.
About the Environment Strategy Directorate
In the Environment Strategy Directorate we sit at the heart of the Environment, Rural and Marine Group, delivering on the ambition for the environment to be a healthy and a beautiful place to live, work and enjoy. We are a diverse, multi-site team leading the delivery and policy thinking across a wide range of issues. Our teams are focused on the 25 Year Environment Plan, Land Use, Rural Policy, Green Finance, Climate Adaptation and Net Zero, and Environment Science and Analysis.
Environment Strategy has an inclusive approach to work that recognises the skills, endeavour, needs and wellbeing of all our staff. This is supported by excellent staff survey scores in the Directorate.
About Environment Science and Analysis
Environment Science and Analysis (ESA) is a multi-disciplinary team of around 40 statisticians, social researchers, economists, natural scientists, data engineers, and spatial data scientists based in Environmental Strategy Directorate.
As well as working across Environment Strategy, we also work across Natural Environment, Trees and Landscapes Directorate providing the Lead Analytical Function for both directorates.
We lead on environmental analysis for Defra by undertaking high quality cross-cutting analysis and evidence, for example:
- Ensuring the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment responds to policy need.
- Production of official environment statistics and indicators, including for the 25 Year Environment Plan.
- Producing the evidence base for valuing our natural capital (Enabling a Natural Capital Approach).
- Leading on spatial data science with a focus on land-use and land change.
- Managing the natural environment and rural research programme.
- Providing cross-cutting social research and leading evaluations.
- Providing professional leadership to embedded evidence specialists across Environment Strategy and Natural Environment, Trees and Landscapes.
Defra is dedicated to promoting equality and valuing diversity. We have strong staff networks and the department places significant emphasis on talent programmes that help everyone to achieve their full potential. The Civil Service as a whole, is committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation. Your personal qualities will be as important as your professional experience; and we welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you believe you have the skills and qualities we are looking for, then we would like to hear from you.
The Defra group proudly supports flexible working. New Defra employees will be contractually based in one of our policy hubs Bristol, London, Newcastle or York and you will be expected to spend a minimum of 2-3 days a week working from an office under our blended model of office and home working. Applicants currently based at another non-hub Defra group office are invited to discuss possible working locations with the jobholder.
Job description
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This is a post to be the Research Programme Manager and Procurement Lead for the research & development programme for two directorates: Environment Strategy and Natural Environment, Trees and Landscapes; This is a multi-million-pound research programme, and you will work closed with the G7 Programme Lead to manage this programme and: · Act as the interface between evidence specialists across the directorates and Defra Group-Commercial to put in place research contracts. This will include project planning taking up to c.60 research projects to market over the year; helping identify appropriate routes to market; preparing procurement approvals and documentation; and working across evidence and commercial colleagues to ensure timely letting of contracts. · Assist with contract management of let research: Ensuring suppliers are delivering to contracted timetables and cost and take appropriate action if slippage or quality concerns are identified. · Assist with publication of these research projects as they complete. · Translate progress with procurement and performance of let contacts to managing the research budget: Tracking risks and recovering budget from delays so that we can recycle headroom to fund other research priorities. · To inform financial management, you will need to consider whether projects meet the requirements of R&D under the European System of Accounts (ESA10) and be prepared to defend this categorisation in the event of audit by NAO. This will also inform VAT treatment of purchase orders. · As contracts are let, lead on raising requisitions / purchase orders against correct accounting codes and VAT treatment; prepare the financial resource profile based on invoicing schedules; and use these to report forecasts to Finance Business Partners. · Manage the purchase orders on a monthly basis, receipting in according to the resource profile and performance; this will also require collating third party evidence of delivery should receipts be audited. · Ensure regular and timely submission of invoices from suppliers; and the correct matching of these to purchase order lines by accounts payable. · Raise invoices against co-funders of our research projects as required. · The R&D budget will also be used to support some staff costs who directly deliver or manage R&D for the first time this year; this will require collating and securing sign-off of specific documentation and evidence of the nature of the roles for audit by NAO. · Provide support to the Evidence Budget Management Group, a group of all evidence leads across the three directorates, who meet monthly and prepare papers and present these to the Group on spend, forecasts, risks, opportunities and publication backlogs. · There will also be opportunities to support the Programme Lead as we prepare for Spending Review and annual Business Planning. To effectively deliver this role you will need to work with and through others; developing excellent working relationships with analysts and scientists, Finance Business Partners and Defra Group Commercial. You will also need to be highly organised with a good attention to detail. |
Person specification
We would like to hear from you if you have at least one of the following essential skills and experience:
- Understanding of the role of science and analysis in government policy making.
- Application of the HMT Consolidated Budget Guidance with respect to categorisation of research and development spend.
- Knowledge of procurement routes to market.
- Proven experience of supporting the management of a multi-million-pound programme.
- Excellent skills in Microsoft Excel and corporate finance systems.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£8,185 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%
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
Online tests
After submission of the first stage of your application, you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test and Civil Service Numerical Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.
Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests and application is 23:55 on 24/07/2023. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.
Do not leave completing the tests until the last minute in case you experience any access or technical issues. There may not be technical support available after business hours and after 2pm on the closing date of 24/06/2023.
While the tests should work on most operating systems and modern browsers with a good internet connection, we cannot guarantee that every combination will work. At the beginning, the test will check which browser you are using, and alert you if it is likely to be incompatible.
It is highly recommended that you complete the online tests on a desktop computer, not a mobile phone or tablet.
Please note that online tests associated with this vacancy are not subject to time limits. Click https://www.gov.uk/guidance/reasonable-adjustments-for-online-tests-a-candidate-guide for test guidance.
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement (500 word max), statements on the specified behaviours (250 word max per statement).
While completing your Personal Statement please refer to the job description and person specification, to outline how you meet the criteria for this role. Please provide details of relevant experience and how this will assist you in meeting the needs of this post.
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: Managing a Quality Service and the Personal Statement.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Experience, Behaviours and Strengths.
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.
Candidates applying for these roles will be based at one of the Defra hubs as advertised.
For information, our core Defra hub locations are:
- York the Kings Pool;
- Newcastle Lancaster House;
- Bristol Horizon House (Please note that space at this office is limited and it may not be possible for all Policy roles to be recruited to this location);
- London 2 Marsham Street.
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.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
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 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 offenses. 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.
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
All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.
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 : Vina Limbachiya
- Email : Vina.limbachiya@defra.gov.uk
- Telephone : 07721727593
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
