Development Manager


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Details

Reference number

303178

Salary

£43,311 – £46,949
A
Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer
Pay Band 3

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

FC – Forest Services – The Forestry Commission are the Government’s forestry experts, and our role is to protect, improve, expand and connect England’s trees, woodlands and forestry sector.

Type of role

Environment and Sustainability
Information Technology
Project Delivery

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Compressed Hours

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

Any FC office (subject to availability in relation to working pattern/blended working arrangements), with regular presence in Bristol and travel nationwide

Job summary

Forest Services (FS) as part of the Forestry Commission (FC) are the Government’s forestry experts. We advise nationally and locally on how to unlock the full potential of woodlands and support the forestry sector to protect, improve and expand England’s valuable woodland assets, ensuring that they continue to provide benefits to people, the environment and the economy.

We are looking for a positive and enthusiastic person with substantial experience of leading business system and process improvements to join us. You will work closely with our change and other development teams, and with business experts across FS to define and deliver a portfolio of business improvement projects for our work. You will sit within the Business Transformation Team. Your role will map across to government Digital, Data and Technology as well as Project Delivery frameworks, and you will work as a Delivery Manager and a Business Analyst team leader.

If you are passionate about the role of forestry in creating a better future for England, and want to play a key part in that, we want to hear from you.

Job description

The overall purpose of the job is to lead on improving business systems and processes for our work. You will lead a small team of business analysts and will be responsible for developing and delivering a programme of improvement projects, in line with agreed FS priorities and working closely with key stakeholders across FS and beyond.

Key work areas

You will:

  • Develop and deliver a programme of business process and IT system improvements, to fit within and be agreed as part of Forest Services’ (FS’s) wider transformation portfolio
  • Ensure approval for project finances through Forestry Commission Business Planning processes and (for IT projects) through Government Digital Service (GDS) Spend Control (following appropriate discovery, research and market engagement)
  • Deliver the agreed projects (as Delivery Manager), working with a team of operational, technical, change and other relevant colleagues across the Forestry Commission and recruiting and managing external specialist resource as required
  • Develop and manage competitive tenders to select third party contractors to develop and deliver new IT applications
  • Develop and maintain effective working relationships across the Defra digital team and with the wider GDS, and ensure that all IT developments comply with all relevant security, user, technical and other GDS requirements and pass through all associated service assessments
  • Ensure effective transition of IT development projects into business-as-usual IT service management, working closely with FS IT Service Manager and their team
  • Lead and manage a small team of business analysts (Higher Executive Officers), taking responsibility for active performance and workload management and ensuring professional alignment with the Digital, Data and Technology and the Project Delivery frameworks
  • Work closely with other development manager(s) to ensure continuing professional development across the teams, to develop and apply common business analysis tools and approaches, and to share knowledge, skills and lessons learned
  • Actively contribute to governance for FSs’ wider business transformation portfolio
  • Actively contribute to wider Business Transformation Team work as a senior manager within the team.

    Person specification

    ESSENTIAL

    • A proven track-record of leading the development and delivery of business system and process improvement projects (including digital and non-digital projects)
    • A strong understanding of Government Digital Service technical, user and other standards and requirements, and experience of successfully taking projects through the relevant assessment processes (or a willingness to quickly learn)
    • A good understanding of the government Digital, Data and Technology and also Project Delivery frameworks
    • Excellent project management skills
    • Experience in managing a team, with excellent people management skills and ability to guide and inspire the work of others
    • Proven ability to think and work strategically whilst retaining attention to detail
    • Experience of working with multiple internal and external stakeholders at all levels of an organisation
    • Proven ability to deliver at pace and solve problems at pace
    • Excellent verbal and written communications skills

    Qualifications and/or Experience

    • Educated to degree level (or significant equivalent experience)
    • A recognised business analysis or IT/ computing qualification (or equivalent experience and a commitment to gaining relevant qualifications/ ongoing professional development)

    Please clearly demonstrate how the above applies to you throughout your application. Failure to do so will mean that your application is automatically sifted out.

      DESIRABLE

      • Experience of managing procurement exercises and of securing and managing specialist contractors
      • A broad understanding of technical IT trends and solutions

      Behaviours

      We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

      Alongside your salary of £43,311, Forestry Commission contributes
      £11,738 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

      Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

      • A Civil Service pension.
      • A range of family friendly benefits.
      • An environment with flexible working options.
      • Learning and development tailored to your role.
      • A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment.
      • A range of wellbeing benefits including discounted Civil Service Healthcare, access to an Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, Bike to Work Scheme, plus many more.
      •25 days annual leave, with 1 additional day for each years’ service up to 5 years (pro rata), plus 10.5 bank holidays/privilege days (pro rata).
      •Ability to buy or sell 5 days annual leave. 
      • 3 days volunteering per year (pro rata).

      We aim to provide a great place to work, whichever location you work from. Blended working forms part of our flexible and inclusive approach to future ways of working. It is an informal arrangement which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from our Forestry Commission workplaces, subject to role requirements, business needs, and regular review. Informal blended working arrangements will be available as agreed with the line manager. Further information will be available for candidates invited to interview.

      Selection process details

      This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

      As part of the application process, you will complete the following:

      1. A tailored CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. The CV will be split into 3 parts and requests: Job History, Previous Skills/Experience, and Full Qualification Details.

      2. A personal statement – in no more than 750 words showing how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification.

      Indicative timeline:

      – Shortlisting to take place w/c 30th August
      – Interviews to be carried out w/c 4th September

      The above dates are subject to change.

      We will be conducting online interviews with the use of Microsoft Teams or equivalent online communication methods. Candidates would therefore require access to a computer and internet at interview stage.

      Interviews will be based on Behaviours and Strengths.

      Further Information

      A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

      Any move to Forestry Commission 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

      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.

      This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

      Where a role has been identified as one which falls under the scope of the Public Sector English Language Requirements, within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English. Applicants will be assessed in the selection process in accordance with the requirements.

      The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.

      Use of private car: some Officers chose to use their private car and receive payment for the miles they drive on official business. To register your car from 1 April 2022 it must emit less than 115gCO2/km if you wish to use it for official travel and claim mileage. These emission level requirements will reduce to 100gCO2 by 26/27, 80gCO2 by 27/87,  60gCO2by 28/29, 50gCO2by 29/30. At the point where a  car already  registered reaches the CO2 limit, it can be driven for 2 more years for business mileage.

      • Use of Forestry Commission van: usually based from an FC office, though may be based at the officers home if the candidate lives within their ‘area’ (NOTE: such vehicles can only be used for official business).
      • Use of CAPES (lease) Cars: after an employee has successfully completed their probation they can opt for a CAPES car. All CAPES cars must emit less than 50gCO2/km.

      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 fcerecruitment.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 you’re 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

      Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
      People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

      Nationality requirements

      This job is broadly open to the following groups:

      • UK nationals
      • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
      • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
      • nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
      • relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
      • relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
      • certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

      Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

      Working for the Civil Service

      The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

      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).

      The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
      The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
      This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
      The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
      Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available.
      You may want to save a copy for your records.

      Contact point for applicants

      Job contact :

      • Name : FS Recruitment
      • Email : fs.recruitment@forestrycommission.gov.uk

      Recruitment team

      • Email : fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

      Further information

      Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact FCE by email: englandhr.services@forestryengland.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.

      Attachments

      Strategy and Transformation Recruitment 2023 – Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 881kB)

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