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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
In DHSCs Electives Directorate, we are proud to focus on one of the Governments top 5 delivery priorities, as well as delivering a key part of the Departments purpose to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. We are supportive, inclusive and solutions-focussed and our teams work hard to understand the challenges facing the electives system and how we can improve patient outcomes and experience. In particular, we work with NHS England and others to set direction for the elective system for the future and ensure timely delivery of targets set out in the elective recovery plan.
We are looking for individuals who are keen to grip a stretching brief in a priority area, to shape projects and policy direction as part of a supportive and high performing team.
Across two Deputy Director led teams where we are recruiting for new team members, we focus on the following:
- Delivery of the priorities set out in the Elective Recovery Plan, using excellent understanding and analysis of data and impactful presentation of quantitative and qualitative evidence to generate insights and solutions.
- Providing updates and advice to Ministers to assess progress on delivery, explore variation and recommend solutions,working closely with our excellent analytical team and colleagues in NHS England.
- Gripping the different elements of the electives system to understand the existing delivery and the challenges and opportunities – including on theatre productivity, diagnostics, outpatients, referrals, funding, choice, patient experience and more.
- Getting to grips with the big strategic questions in electives so we can ensure that future policy and spending decisions are grounded in evidence and credible insights.
The Directorate is a great place to work, with a fast-paced and challenging brief which would suit individuals who like getting to grips with broad, challenging issues to find solutions. The roles would suit individuals who might be looking to learn new skills and approaches to policy, delivery and performance in public services.
The directorate is a friendly, supportive and welcoming place to work on an interesting and high-profile policy area.
If you are interested and would like further information, please come along to our information session on Friday 1st December 2023 from 14:00-15:00. The information session will cover all policy/delivery roles (HEO, SEO & G7) and will give you the opportunity to hear more about the teams, specific roles and ask questions.
If you would like to join the information session, please use this link: Click here to join the meeting
Job description
We have three exciting roles in the Elective Policy and Delivery teams which will work with senior officials, Ministers, departmental colleagues, NHS England, and a range of other stakeholders to understand, develop and deliver elective policy.
The successful candidates will have the opportunity to lead policy development and drive forward delivery of a critical area of health policy and one of the Prime Ministers five key priorities. This is an interesting area with complex challenges and significant interest and scrutiny from stakeholders.
The exact portfolio and deliverables will be agreed with successful candidates. Our teams work flexibly to ensure that individuals have stretching objectives and wide ranging portfolios. Areas of focus could include outpatient and diagnostic transformation, patient choice, long waits and projects to ensure a more resilient electives system for the future. The successful candidate will need to feel comfortable setting direction through uncertainty, delivering in a fast-paced environment, and providing leadership and support to a friendly and high-performing team.
Role responsibilities
- Leading on delivery of aspects of the Elective Recovery plan or leading policy work to shape the elective system for the future
- Working closely with analysts, NHSE and No.10 to lead problem-solving projects, (deep dives and sprints) to identify challenges and opportunities for delivery of objectives and make recommendations to unblock implementation barriers
- Lead relationships and conversations with private office and No.10 to identify and advise Ministers and the PM on opportunities to accelerate progress
- Identify data needs/gaps and lead discussions with the analytical team to provide data-driven policy advice
- Building strong relationships and working closely with NHSE, other policy teams and key stakeholders to develop a workplan for your portfolio and understand interdependencies with other areas of the team
- Ensuring the delivery of excellent support to Ministers and senior officials, including responses to parliamentary questions, drafting of speeches, briefings, and correspondence
- Lead a small team of 1-2 people providing line management to SEO/HEOs, and contribute to the inclusive culture of the wider team
Person specification
Essential:
- Proactivity and direction setting through uncertainty, including the ability to manage fast paced and competing priorities
- Ability to take general direction and translate this into tangible projects to aid decision making and delivery oversight
- Ability to be an inclusive leader and develop others
- Cross-organisation working and building effective and productive relationships
- Excellent briefing and drafting skills, including presentations, papers, submissions
- Excellent communication and upwards management
- Strong strategic thinking and critical thinking skills, with the ability to effectively analyse complex problems, develop innovative solutions and make informed decisions
Desirable:
- Experience working on health policy and a good understanding of the health system
- Experience of building and leading teams
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£14,341 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
Sift date: To be confirmed.
Interview date: To be confirmed.
Interview location: By video. Further details will be released to candidates who are successful at sift.
The available interview slots will be released with the sift scores.
Applications will be sifted on CV and Statement of Suitability.
Please use your CV to set out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role.
Please use your Statement of Suitability to (in no more than 750 words) outline how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role as set out in the job advert.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours and Strengths.
Candidates will be asked to deliver a presentation which will assess a behaviour: Seeing the Big Picture. Details of the presentation question will be issued to candidates with the release of the sift scores.
To find out more about working in the department please visit our page on the Civil Service Careers Website here and to find out more information on how to apply visit the Civil Service Careers Website here.
Further Information
Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.
Please note that applicants will require BPSS clearance.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to DHSC 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 dhscrecruitment.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.
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.
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.
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.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
This role is being advertised on a permanent basis. If preferable, Loan or Secondment options will also be available for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited NDPBs or any other employer (Secondment). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
Terms and Conditions
Candidates should note that DHSCs Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidates responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful.
New Entrants to the Civil Service
New entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSCs modernised terms and conditions:
- Annual Leave: 25 days on entry rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff
- Privilege Leave: 1 day – for the Kings birthday
- Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
- Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): one month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months full pay and five months half pay
- Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allow staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
- Probation: 6 month probation period
Existing Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotion
All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSCs modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).
Existing DHSC staff, appointed on either level transfer or promotion
If DHSCs modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSCs pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSCs modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).
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 : Katie Abrahams
- Email : Katie.Abrahams@dhsc.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dhscrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/
