About the job

Job summary

In DHSC, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you’d like to work in, we’d love to hear from you.

Departmental purpose and objectives

The DHSC supports ministers in leading the nation’s health and social care to help people live more independent, healthier lives for longer. We work closely with our partners in the health and care system, our arm’s length bodies (ALBs), agencies, local authorities, across government, and with both patients and the public, ensuring that we are all working with one focus – the people who use our services.

Our role and purpose is to:

• Support and advise our ministers by helping them shape and deliver policy that delivers the Government of the day’s objectives.
• Set direction by anticipating the future and lead the debate, ensuring we protect and improve global and domestic health.
• Be accountable, ensuring that the Department and our ALBs deliver on agreed plans and commitments.
• Act as guardians of the health and care framework, making sure the legislative framework, the financial framework, the administrative framework and the policy framework are fit for purpose and work together.
• Be trouble-shooters. In the last resort, the public and Parliament expect us to take the action necessary to resolve crucial and complex issues.

The department’s overall objective is to support Ministers in delivering the Government’s health and care priorities (including manifesto commitments). For 2021/22, our specific priorities include:

1. Protecting the public’s health through the health and social care system’s response to COVID-19.
2. Improving healthcare outcomes by providing high-quality and sustainable care at the right time in the right place, improving infrastructure and transforming technology.
3. Improving healthcare outcomes through a well-supported workforce.
4. Levelling up the nation’s health, including through reducing health disparities.
5. Improving social care outcomes through an affordable, high quality and sustainable adult social care system.

Job description

About The Team

As part of the Government’s plan to provide first class, fit for purpose health care for the public and as a response to demands on the NHS post Covid-19 pandemic, several capital infrastructure programmes have been centrally funded, by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to provide additional or improved services to the NHS.    

The Portfolio Management Office (PMO) was established to provide oversight and to monitor deliver of a growing number of programmes designed to improve NHS services & facilities and manage NHS Elective Care backlog.  The programmes vary in size, scope, and duration (and the Portfolio has a combined value of £7.5bn, comprised of: 

• Hospital Upgrades  
• Eradication of Mental Health Dormitories 
• Removal or remediation of Reinforced Aerated Autoclaved Concrete from the estate  
• Community Diagnostic Centres (increasing scanning capability) 
• Digital Diagnostic Capabilities (improving digital infrastructure capability)  
• Accident and Emergency improvements  
• Targeted Investment Funding to tackle the backlog  
• Public Sector Decarbonisation Funding  
• Demand and Capacity (Winter Pressures) 
• Mental Health Emergency Care 

All programmes within the DHSC Capital Delivery Portfolio (CDP) are delivered by our  Arm’s Length Body - NHS England (NHSE) which is the delivery arm, responsible for providing national leadership for the NHS. The PMO sits within DHSC and the PMO team work in partnership with colleagues in NHSE to drive delivery.   

Informal hybrid working arrangements will be available as agreed with the vacancy manager and in line with the requirements of the role. DHSC staff work a hybrid pattern, with 12 days a month in an office, on average.  

Job description:

We are looking for an experienced  Assurance Manager to join the PMO. We are seeking a strong team player, experienced in working in a complex programme or project environment. This is a highly rewarding role and diverse in nature. The job holder will actively be involved in programme assurance, stakeholder engagement, scheduling Gateway reviews for the NHS.

Working in line with Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) guidance; the job holder will work closely with the central DHSC Assurance Team and the CDP PMO G7 Assurance lead to coordinate and assurance at key stages of the project lifecycle. Projects and programmes will have existing assurance activities in place, including internal reviews and approval processes for each Business Case stage. The key focus of this role is to provide support and guidance to each Senior Responsible Officer (SRO)to undertake independent assurance to help inform and deliver NHS projects successfully.

Person specification

• Support G7 Assurance Lead to promote and provide cutting edge best practice assurance services to all Programmes and projects within the Portfolio.
• Work closely with DHSC Departmental Assurance Coordinator to coordinate with External reviewers’ services for Gateway reviews with the programmes.
• Effectively communicate and manage the process and benefits of Programme assurance to both internal and external stakeholder stakeholders.
• Track and Manage Gateway review process and tasks using tracking tools: Governance chat, Gantt chart, Scheme Assurance tracker.
• Create efficient way of tracking schemes in conversation for a review.
• Be part of the key holder investment appraisals group providing assurance on capital Business Case to the Investment Committees.
• Good knowledge of data management and Analysis.
• Collate data for efficient analysis and dashboarding.
• Maintain and improve current datasets including monthly Ministerial reporting and Board Meeting packs.
• Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which could impact the delivery of capital programmes.
• Act as Single point of contact for one of the Portfolios Programme.
• Line management of an EO.

Key skills and experience required for the role

Essential

• A strong track record of working in project delivery and an assurance activities.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build productive working relationships with senior stakeholders by providing expertise and guidance on Assurance.
• Experience working with the IPA’s Assurance framework, with the ability to articulate the purpose, process and outcomes of independent assurance.
• Ability to deal with resistance and influence positive outcomes through negotiation and understanding.
• Ability to ensure colleagues and stakeholders have a clear understanding of objectives, activities and time-frames.
• Strong organisational skills with a good eye for detail; including the ability to multi-task and work to tight deadlines.
• Strong Communication skills with the ability to collaborate, to share information as appropriate and check understanding.
• Experience of working within a project or programme governance framework.
• Proven effective report writing skills and good written communication skills, with the ability to tailor for the relevant audience.
• Ability to efficiently identify, grasp and resolve emerging opportunities, risks, issues and trends which might impact your work area.
• Can successfully deliver high quality outcomes that meet customer/ stakeholder needs and gives value for money.
• Good Excel skills.
• Strong Leadership skills to enable confident and positive outcomes with external stakeholders.
• Recognised PPM qualifications e.g. MOP, or Prince 2.

Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds. Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration and enhancing team working, learning, and support. 

You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. 

Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need. 

There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme 2023-2024. Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements.    

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,025, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £10,806 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.

Sift date: W/C 01/07/2024

Interview date: expected W/C 15/07/2024 

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, Statement of Suitability, and Behaviours.

Please use your CV to set out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role. These can be found in the ‘key skills and experience required for the role’ section of the advert. Please also include a list of your relevant qualifications.

Please use your statement of suitability to (in no more than 500 words) outline how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role as set out in the job advert.

An initial sift based on Statement of Suitability and Lead Behaviour: Communicating and Influencing may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours.

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 

Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. 

Please note that applicants will require BPSS clearance.

Qualifications required for the role will be checked and verified by the vacancy holder as part of the onboarding process. You may also be asked to provide evidence that any qualifications obtained overseas are equivalent to those advertised.

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 you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. 

Further Information

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

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

Any move to Department of Health and Social Care 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.

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 DHSC’s Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidate’s 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 DHSC’s 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 King’s 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 DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above). 

Existing DHSC staff, appointed on promotion

If DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSC’s pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).

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.

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.