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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) has a number of vacancies across various directorates. It is important you read the information within the attached Candidate Information pack for further details.
Whilst the advert and accompanying candidate pack provide the essential detail, we will be holding remote drop-in sessions whilst the advert is live. This will be an opportunity to ask questions related to the job and the application process. Please join us on MS Teams via the links below:
In the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on peoples lives. We are responsible for Englands environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. Your role will be critically important to achieving our vision of ‘creating a great place for living.
Would you like the opportunity develop an overarching knowledge of a wide range of policy topics?
As a Senior Policy Officer, you will be part of a team who work with a range of both internal and external stakeholders. You will contribute towards the drafting of policy and strategy. Your ability to contribute isnt limited by lack of specialist knowledge, we value the importance of an individuals range of skills.
This means that you may develop specialist expertise and work across a small portfolio area. You will play an active role in shaping and delivering the Defra groups priorities, working creatively and collaboratively with others to deliver excellent outcomes. You will have the opportunity to develop your own skills and future career.
Job description
Defras profile has never been higher; our remit provides the opportunity for real influence. Our policy areas are each split into Directorates, work-streams and projects that combine flexibly to deliver on Ministerial priorities.
Your wider team will likely be made up of both counterparts and senior colleagues, working collaboratively, supporting each other to deliver one project. There is also the potential that you will line manage a small team of Higher Executive Officers (HEOs) and Executive Officers (EOs).
You will be building relationships with a variety of stakeholders. Internally, these could include Directors and Ministers, as well as your counterparts in other teams, whereas externally, this could include industry bodies, non-governmental organisations and UK citizens.
As a Senior Policy Officer, you will be part of a team of experts that is delivering on Defras top priorities. No two posts are the same but in broad terms your work will include:
- Understanding a range of different policies and leading on selected policy areas
- Using evidence and expertise from within and outside Government, to help guide decisions about how policies are developed and delivered
- Supporting policy teams to brief Ministers and senior officials
- Planning and prioritising effectively to deliver high quality results to time. In some cases there will be responsibility for a small team of HEOs and EOs
This is a rolling recruitment which means we will be sifting, interviewing and making offers to candidates who pass the required benchmark whilst the advert is open.
Person specification
About You
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 is dedicated to having a diverse workforce which represents people in our communities and an inclusive culture where everyone feels they can be their authentic self at work, belong in the organisation and can speak up to challenge. We want everyone to be able to contribute to the success of our organisation, regardless of your background.
For this post you will be assessed on the areas set out below.
Essential Criteria
The following experience is essential to these posts:
- A proven track record of communicating confidently and concisely.
- Managing relationships with a range of stakeholders/customers, ideally both internally and externally.
- Planning and prioritising effectively to meet deadlines, to deliver results at pace.
- Working with complex policy areas, identifying the key issues and the significant risks from within them.
- Advocating an innovative approach, seeking opportunities to do things differently or starting from a blank page, and then being responsive to adapt or develop new options as circumstances change.
- Staff management and/or developing skills and capability of teams.
- Ability to quickly respond to changing demands and priorities, with the confidence to take quick decisions without comprising the quality of work.
- Preparation of drafts for a range of audiences and communicate them verbally with confidence.
- Creative problem-solving skills and the ability to propose innovative solutions to challenges.
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:
- Policy Framework Level 2 1.2 Data, Analysis, and Scientific Advice Apply research methods to
model, test, and improve policy solutions.
Benefits
£10,069 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- 25 days leave (rising to 30 days over 5 years) plus bank holidays
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Access to a range of retail discounts through the STaR platform (these include supermarket, tech, gym, holiday, phone and more)
- Flexible working options such as condensed hours, part-time and flexi time
- 3 paid volunteering days per year
- Funding for professional membership of a recognised professional body
- Learning and development tailored to your role and budget for training or qualifications
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- Cycle to work scheme
- Health cash plan to help you manage health costs for a reduced monthly fee
- Access to the Employee Assistance Programme 24/7 that provides support to you during any times of stress or difficulty
- Free access to Headspace for wellbeing
- Season ticket loan for public transport
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 750 word personal statement which should cover how you meet the essential criteria listed within the advert. You will also be asked to provide a CV demonstrating your previous skills and experience.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sift
A sift will be conducted looking at the experience shown in your personal statement and CV and a combined score will be given for these.
Candidates who pass the sift will be progressed to 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 Behaviours, Technical criteria and Strengths relevant to the role.
The Technical criteria will be assessed via presentation, for which the question will be shared in advance of the interview.
The link to the Policy Framework can be found here.
This is a rolling recruitment which means we will be sifting, interviewing and making offers to candidates who pass the required benchmark whilst the advert is open.
Interviews will be held via video link.
Further Information
Preference selection
We have a number of vacancies across various Directorates within Defra. We have provided information about each Directorates in the candidate pack attached to this advertisement. At application stage candidates will be asked to select the preferred directorate they would like to be considered for. Candidates should read each narrative carefully before selecting preferences.
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 Defra hub locations. All other applicants will be based in one of the advertised Defra hub 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.
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.
Reserve List
If your application is successful but we are unable to offer you a post immediately, you will be placed on a reserve list for 12 months. If over the next 12 months we are able to offer you a position, we will contact you as soon as possible. Once made an offer, you will go through our vetting and pre-employment checks processes. Appointments will be made in adherence to the Civil Service Recruitment Principles.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be appointed in merit order for each location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
Near miss
Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Defra which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra 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
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.
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.
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.
Higher Security
If you are posted into a vacancy in the EU & International Trade Directorate, you will be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for those vacancies. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.
All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to 2 Marsham Street, 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.
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.
Contract types
We are advertising multiple roles across various directorates, and we expect most roles will be offered on a permanent basis however there may also be fixed term roles available.
Existing civil servants offered a permanent role will permanently transfer into the Department. External candidates will be offered a new permanent contract with the department. Existing civil servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs offered a fixed term role will be considered on a loan opportunity (civil servants) or secondment opportunity (accredited NDPBs) for the length of the role. External candidates will be offered a fixed term contract for the length of the role. The terms and conditions on which you will join can be discussed with the vacancy manager at the point you are matched to a role.
Postings will be based on merit order within Directorates, and if a particular post has a fixed location, we will revert to the merit order within the locations. All appointments will be made in merit order and in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles.
Loan and Fixed Term Appointments
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). 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.
If offered a Fixed-term Appointment, it will be as a Senior Policy Officer. Responsibilities will include those listed above. This post will end on one year after the successful candidate takes up post.
Rolling Campaign
Candidates may only apply for this vacancy once within a 6 month period. Any subsequent applications made within the 6 month period following the first application will be automatically marked as Campaign duplicate and will be withdrawn.
We encourage candidates to apply early to secure a favourable interview slot and to reduce the risk of a longer delay between sift and interview.
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 : Resourcing Delivery Team
- Email : HRResourcingSupport@defra.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : defrarecruitment.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:
Click here to visit Civil Service Commission
