About the job

Job summary

This is an interesting and wide-ranging role working across our central business operations to aid the smooth running of the Government Grants Management Function, supporting successful delivery against our aims and objectives.  

You will build knowledge of the Function’s priorities and deliverables to lead on senior internal assurance processes, including operational and strategic risk reporting, business continuity, knowledge and information assets.  You will also lead on people resourcing, via recruitment and contingent labour, managing recruitment processes via Civil Service Jobs, supporting teams to successfully navigate Cabinet Office controls, advising on process and liaising with the HR Business Partner.  And you will maintain central workforce records via the Cabinet Office’s organisation and reporting tools (OrgVue and Qlik). 

The role is based at our York office. The Cabinet Office currently operates a hybrid working policy, with an average of 60% of working time to be spent in your office location (3 days a week).  On occasion you may be required to attend our other offices in London and Glasgow, for example, to attend in-person team meetings or to support at governance boards.

The role offers the opportunity for interaction with senior leaders and to develop and hone skills such as project management, horizon scanning, business planning and risk management.

 We are looking for someone:

• With excellent organisational skills, who is able to work discreetly whilst managing multiple strands of work, and who can keep to tight deadlines;
• With the ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing;
• With the ability to work flexibly and adapt to emerging issues, priorities and team demands;
• With experience engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior
• That understands the value of a friendly and supporting culture in teams;
• Who has a proactive approach and a focus on continuous improvement of self and others, as well as service delivery, with an appetite to work with others to simplify processes and improve efficiency.

 The successful candidate will be expected to be flexible to support the senior leadership team and the wider directorate.  They will be able to demonstrate experience of managing a varied workload, prioritising effectively and the ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently.

Job description

This SEO role sits within the Management Hub, a team responsible for supporting the Director and the Function through the delivery of effective, high quality business operation services (such as finance, recruitment and HR), governance, and communications and engagement for the Function.  The post holder will report into the G6 Head of Head of Operations, Governance and Engagement

The role is varied and stretching, involving taking the initiative and supporting a range of cross-cutting priorities for the Directorate.

The successful candidate will:

Develop and maintain the recruitment pipeline, engaging deputy directors to understand their recruitment requirements and identifying methods for maximising successful recruitment across our locations and specialisms.

Oversee recruitment, making sure processes are clear and understood, that records are being maintained and vacancy holders are kept updated on progress.  Manage a small team to process recruitment via the internal recruitment platform, building relationships and expertise.  Oversee on and off boarding processes, making sure they are effective and timely.    

Maintain workforce records, engaging with deputy directors to understand team structures and keep abreast of changes.  Support the Directorate’s engagement in central strategic planning processes, e.g. resource allocation rounds, business planning, strategic workforce planning returns.

Build knowledge of the Function’s priorities and deliverables to lead on internal assurance processes, including operational and strategic risk reporting, business continuity, knowledge and information assets.

Act as Business Continuity Manager and Information Asset Owner for the directorate.

Encourage the identification and uptake of L&D requirements/ opportunities across the Function as per Cabinet Office policy (e.g. mandatory training), monitoring and taking action to improve as necessary, reporting to SLT.

Lead the Reward & Recognition process for the directorate

Monitor the application of Cabinet Office policies across teams, taking steps to maximise compliance and providing assurance to the SLT (e.g. sickness absence, annual leave, Reward & Recognition).

Line management of the Operations and Finance Officer and matrix management of 3 x Vacancy Managers.

This list is not exhaustive, and successful candidates will be required to provide ad-hoc support where and when necessary and play an active role in the wellbeing of the wider team.

Person specification

We’re looking for people with strong interpersonal skills who enjoy working in a delivery focused, agile environment.  This is a dynamic role, with no two days being the same and would suit those eager to understand the bigger picture and who thrive on a variety of work.  You will need to be resilient, adaptable, and practical.

This is a multi task role in a fast moving environment that will require the following of you:

Essential:

• Experience of supporting a busy and diverse team and the ability to multitask and prioritise when faced with competing deadlines.
• Experience of motivating and inspiring others to achieve their objectives.
• Strong stakeholder management skills – proven ability to work closely with a range of people at all levels to secure successful outcomes.  Ability to forge and maintain positive relationships across teams.
• Good written and oral communication skills: the ability to communicate professionally and effectively with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels, and to develop appropriate, tailored communications.
• Ability to offer effective challenge and to exercise judgement in making decisions.
• Proficiency in the use of Google Suite/ Microsoft.

Desirable:

• A proven track record in assurance and business management and knowledge of good practice in risk management.
• Experience of handling sensitive information, displaying tact and diplomacy and maintaining confidentiality.

Additional information:

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. Although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,850, Cabinet Office contributes £11,029 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

Application process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, 500 word personal statement as well as four 250 word behaviour statements. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Managing a Quality Service. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Selection process

During the blended interview you will be assessed against your experience and behaviours that are contained within this advert.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – week commencing 1st April
Expected interview date/s – week commencing 15th April
Interview location - this will be done virtually 

Further information

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

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

Any move to Cabinet Office 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. 

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 applicant’s 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.

Reasonable adjustments

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 cabinetofficerecruitment.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 the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

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.