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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
BDUK has a clear mission: to ensure that homes and businesses across the UK can access fast and reliable digital connectivity. We are helping to build the digital infrastructure that will underpin the UKs growth over the coming decades. Your role is to ensure Ministers and MPs are kept informed about BDUKs progress and to manage all parliamentary affairs.
This role sits at the heart of the Engagement and Public Information Team and is integral to delivering a quality service to Ministers, Senior Officials, MPs and Parliament.
The role will support BDUK in informing and advising these stakeholders who are crucial to BDUK successfully delivering Project Gigabit – the governments £5 billion investment in connecting hard to reach communities to gigabit speeds.
We are looking for an experienced individual who understands policy, Ministers and parliamentary business. Your remit covers Ministerial briefings, correspondence, PQs, FOIs, Parliamentary Committees and All-Party Parliamentary Groups.
The role manages a briefings team of two and an MP engagement manager and will need to work closely with the departments Ministerial Support Team and Private Offices.
The Engagement and Public Information Team provides specialist expertise, strategic direction and delivery to BDUK to ensure internal comms, stakeholder engagement, marketing, public relations, public queries, PQs, and digital activity are aligned to and support programme delivery and wider government objectives.
Job description
- Lead and provide overall management of all BDUK briefings, questions and correspondence relating to ministerial and parliamentary affairs.
- Lead BDUKs relationship with Ministerial Private Offices and Ministerial Support Team to ensure smooth and efficient working practices and the swift resolution of issues, specifically ensuring;
- All requests for information from the Ministerial Support Team are responded to within key time period unless particularly
complex; - All BDUK briefing of Ministers is accurate, concise and informative and is submitted to Private Offices in a timely manner;
- Timely and quality responses to BDUK PQs – incl written, oral and urgent; ministerial and official-level correspondence and
FOI requests - Proactive engagement of parliamentarians, through quarterly MP drop-in events in parliament, proactive correspondence to
update MPs on BDUK delivery, and providing specific support to interested members.
- All requests for information from the Ministerial Support Team are responded to within key time period unless particularly
- Create templates and embed best practice across BDUK on briefings, PQs, correspondence and FOIs. Work with the Head of Engagement and BDUK operational leads to develop an effective approach to public queries.
- Ensure an accurate record of all requests are appropriately stored for audit purposes. Develop and monitor all relevant KPIs associated with this area, creating a coordinated approach to information and data management within the team and wider BDUK.
- Maintain a forward-look and tracker to predict pinch points and identify common themes. Work with the wider Engagement team to pre-empt and manage work flows and proactive communications with stakeholder utilising relevant BDUK channels.
- Ensure concise and informative briefings are drafted for ministers and writing ministerial speeches. Oversee briefing for parliamentary debates and select committees.
Person specification
Successful Candidates must be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong and effective organisational and interpersonal skills.
- Good understanding of ministerial and Parliamentary requirements and what constitutes a reputational risk or good communications opportunity.
- Desirable but not essential – Career background in a Civil Service policy, Private Office or Ministerial Support team.
- Strong track record of writing clear and concise submissions, correspondence and handling PQs and FOIs.
- Experience of leading and developing a team to high standards of performance.
- Able to work at pace.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£12,963 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%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Please see slide 9 of the Candidate Pack.
Please submit your CV and supporting statement (maximum 750 words) by 23:55 on 08/01/2024 via the CS Jobs portal.
Your CV should set out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements.
Your Supporting Statement (max. 750 words) should explain how your personal skills, qualities and experience make you a suitable candidate for the role.
The following behaviours will be tested at application and interview:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Managing a Quality service
- Delivering at Pace
Applications will be reviewed by a panel who will look at the Skills and Experience provided in the submitted CVs and Supporting Statements. Please note, your application must provide evidence of the skills & experience outlined in the key criteria to be progressed to the next stage. Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
First Stage Interview/Assessment
Candidates successful at the review stage may be invited to attend a first stage interview/assessment.
Interview
During the interview process, candidates may be asked to provide further evidence of their skills and experience. Interviews may also include a presentation exercise. The interview will be a blended assessment consisting of a series of questions against the Civil Service Success Profiles Behaviours and Strengths.
Interviews will take place remotely via Google Hangout video call. Successful applicants will join the department through our remote onboarding process.
Location
This role can be based in London, Manchester, Darlington Cardiff, Belfast or Edinburgh. The hub locations are displayed on the job advert. Not all hub locations yet have confirmed office space – successful applicants will be expected to work remotely until this becomes available.
Existing BDUK and DCMS staff who are currently based in London and are successful in gaining this role will be able to remain working from the London base.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
The expectation within BDUK is that staff will normally remain in post for a minimum of 12 months for band C, 18 months for band B and 24 months for band A/AU and will not apply for BDUK roles on level transfer during that time.
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/ Disclosure Scotland/ 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.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk
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.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
BDUK has a London and a National pay scale. For more information on this, including the circumstances in which each pay scale will apply, please see the candidate information pack.
Any move to BDUK from another employer will mean you can no longer access 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
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 bdukrecruitment.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 an interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
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 : BDUK Recruitment Team
- Email : bdukrecruitment@dcms.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : bdukrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact (recruitment.team@dcms.gov.uk) in the first instance.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/civilservicerecruitmentcomplaints/
