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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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Project Delivery
Strategy
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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.
Strategic Change Projects
In Strategic Change Projects we work with senior leaders and the most important delivery programmes in the organisation to track and deliver Defras outcomes. You will have the opportunity to contribute towards and influence the development of new approaches and policies on a wide range of issues affecting millions of people in the UK. You will play an active role in shaping and delivering the Defra groups priorities, working creatively and collaboratively with others. These roles will provide significant opportunities to develop your own skills and future career.
Encouraging diverse applicants
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
Job description
You will be part of the Outcome Delivery and Insights team within Defras Strategic Change Projects Directorate. We support Defra to deliver its outcomes through four workstreams:
- We deliver our Outcomes Programme, designed to improve the way Defra delivers its outcomes. This includes driving consistency across the department in planning and reporting against outcome delivery, as well as enhancing outcome governance, systems and processes to drive accountability and performance.
- We improve outcome delivery by advising strategy, policy and programme teams on developing and delivering plans for achieving outcomes, including solving difficult delivery challenges.
- We run a monthly meeting of the Defra Executive Committee where it meets as Delivery Committee, focused on how well Defra delivers its outcomes, including major programmes. We provide analysis to the committee, briefing the Permanent Secretary and responsible Director General in advance. We work with teams across the department to make sure papers and discussions are impactful.
- We design and build analytical systems and tools to support decision making (drawing on analysts from a sister-team).
Our work often involves working with Defras senior leaders and teams across the department to help better understand outcome delivery challenges and provide pragmatic solutions to challenging delivery problems. Our input is critical in delivering Defras challenging and important agenda and in enabling Defras top boards and senior leaders to make accurate, effective, and timely decisions.
We are hiring two SEOs to focus on the Outcomes Programme ,outcome delivery advisory work and analytically driven decision making (workstreams 1, 2 and 4), with the potential to support across the other workstreams and wider directorate work based on interest. The role offers an excellent opportunity for you to work in a high-profile and stretching job at the heart of Defra where we work across organisational boundaries to drive better delivery. You will have exposure to senior leaders across Defra. You will be expected to deliver high-quality and fast-paced insights and problem-solving required to help address the departments most significant outcome delivery challenges. Defra has an ambitious agenda, requiring a radical shift in the way the department establishes and manages its delivery priorities. We have a highly complex portfolio of work that requires quality advice. The department is also committed to radically enhancing the way data is used to influence key delivery decisions an ambition where this team plays a central role.
As a delivery advisor you will help mature Defras central approach to outcome delivery and work with a range of strategy, policy and delivery teams across Defra Group to enhance delivery through driving consistency and solving challenges. Some of the activities that this role will deliver include:
- Advise teams across the department on putting in place or strengthening delivery pathways for targets within our outcomes framework.
- Develop and implement, often through influencing others, improvements to Defras outcome delivery systems, processes and governance.
- Engage with strategy, policy and delivery stakeholders to understand context and key issues, and to co-develop solutions to delivery challenges.
- Help develop a structured approach to addressing these challenges that engages relevant stakeholders and leverages analysis, standards and best practice.
- Analyse and present information to deliver the insights required by senior stakeholders.
- Provide high-quality briefings to senior stakeholders.
- Review and evaluate your work and the work of the team to develop improved methodologies and ways of working.
- Understand products from across the Defra policy landscape to build robust evidence for decision-making.
This list isnt exhaustive but provides an overview of the activities the role will carry out.
Person specification
The successful candidate will need to be self-motivated and adaptable, with the ability to balance and prioritise across a broad range of subject areas, as well as the ability to quickly grasp delivery issues and establish clear and pragmatic approaches to address these.
The candidate will need to demonstrate the following essential criteria throughout the selection process:
- A track record of solving difficult problems / challenges.
- Strong relationship management and influencing skills.
- An ability to think strategically.
- An ability to deliver insights from written and numerical sources for senior colleagues and/or clients to demanding deadlines.
- A self-starter able to work through complexity and ambiguity.
- An ability to rapidly get-up to speed with multiple new policy/outcome areas and engage confidently with experts in those areas.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
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.
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A career in the Civil Service is like no other. If youre looking to join a world class team and develop your career with us, then the Civil Service is the place for you! You might be wondering, whats in it for me? Take a look below at some of the benefits available to you as a civil servant in Defra.
Strategic Change Projects Directorate Benefits
Learning and Development
Everyone in Defra is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Strategic Change Projects Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, Defra, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the fiscal year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role, while also working with you to connect you with a civil service mentor to help empower you in your new role with the opportunity to benefit from paid for coaching.Most importantly, were keen to invest in you! As a civil servant, you will also have access to Civil Service Learning where you can participate in professional development programmes across a wide spectrum of subjects and professions.
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 and the Queens Birthday privilege day. 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; and,
– 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.ukCivil 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, Personal Statement (500 words max) and three Behaviour Statements (250 words each max).
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Your Personal Statement should provide evidence of how you meet the essential criteria as set out in the person specification.
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead Behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift and interview dates are to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on behaviours and strengths.
A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
Interviews will take place over 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 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 maybe 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 recognize in exceptional circumstance 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-Employment.Checks@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.
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 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.
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 : Strategy People and Resourcing Team
- Email : sandc.resourcing@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.
