About the job

Job summary

The machinery of government changes earlier this year created the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), bringing together the Department for International Trade and the business focused part of the Department for Business, Energy and Industry Strategy. The creation of DBT has brought together two large analytical communities under one departmental brand, making it one of the largest bodies of analytical expertise in HM Government covering a broad economic policy agenda across aspects of business environment and support, international trade and investment. 

The Director of Analysis is responsible (directly or indirectly) for all analytical outputs and insight across the whole Department and the Office for the Director of Analysis (ODA) plays a key role in the smooth running of the Analytical Function across DBT.

The Chief of Staff is a new role that has been created in response to the MoG.  While it is not an analytical role per se, it has been created with the expectation that it will:

• Provide cross-cutting strategic oversight of analytical requirements across the department and, where appropriate, it’s arms-length bodies (ALBs).
• Provide strategic and operational oversight of the running of both the Central Analysis Directorate (which reports directly to the Director of Analysis) and the wider analytical community (where teams are bedded out into policy directorates across the Department;
• Work alongside the analytical Heads of Profession to support the design, development and effectiveness of the analytical professions within DBT; and
• Engage strategically with other equivalent offices across HM Government and with external experts to support the effectiveness of DBT through its analytical insight and position as a key department in the delivery of economic growth across the UK.

The Chief of Staff will be responsible for running a team of 12 individuals in support of both the day-to-day running of these two components and wider foresight with respect to:

1. Leading on workforce planning discussions with respect to short and long-term analytical needs in CAD and across the department (for example within annual business planning processes and fiscal events where appropriate;
2. Consideration of recruitment, retention and development of analysts within DBT; and
3. Having oversight of all levels of governance and levels of responsibility which require DoA sign off.  

Job description

 The successful candidate will be expected to:

1. Provide strategic oversight and leadership into the operational plans for the Central Analysis Directorate and for the wider Analytical Community.  In the short term this will focus on ‘landing’ the changes required by the recent MoG and delivering the transition to a new operating model for the analytical function across the Department.  In the medium-term this will cover workforce planning and, where appropriate, transformation with a view to having ongoing oversight of the efficiency and effectiveness of the Analysis Function within DBT.
2. Work closely with HoPs to ensure that the recruitment, retention and development of analysts across all professions is appropriate to Departmental need and professional development;
3. Maintain the network of relationships with equivalent offices across HM Government to share best practice and insight.  
4. Design and deliver an effective internal and external engagement strategy for analysis within the Department, working closely with both hub and embedded teams to set out clear and consistent objectives and responsibilities; and
5. Provide oversight of all cross-cutting corporate workstreams that reach across all analysts, particularly with respect to delivering an appropriate L&D offer, guidance on Performance & Talent, and take note of insights from workstreams on Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, and Mental Health and Wellbeing to improve the functioning of the analytical community across DBT.

The role is directly responsible for line managing two G7s who, while working closely together, will be broadly responsible for the running of the Central Analysis Directorate and the wider analytical community.   This team as whole comprises 12 roles, including posts specifically designed to engage on detailed finance issues as well as HR/people capability aspects.  While this isn’t an analytical post, it may also suit an analyst looking for broader experience of strategic and operational delivery.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Have experience of operational delivery of a large and diverse workforce – including leading change/transformation in a large organisation.
• Have experience of working on the financial and/or the HR/people aspect of running business operations.
• Have a track record of programme / project delivery, including delivery at pace with changing priorities.

Personal Attributes & Skills

• The ideal candidate will be able to work collaboratively across a large and diverse group of stakeholders both within and outside the Department. They should have excellent interpersonal skills and be confident in engaging with senior leaders and key decision makers. 
• They should demonstrate inclusive leadership, role-modelling bringing their whole self to work, and valuing the complexity and diversity of the community they represent. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £64,432, Department for Business and Trade contributes £17,396 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.

After the closing date It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change. 

Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.

Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:    

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages. 

In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation, details will be provided prior to your interview.  

Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment: 

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. 

Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.  

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

Candidate Support

You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.  

Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.

Vetting

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.

Further Information:

• A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.   
• Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
• The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.  
• New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.  
• 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. Any applicant who has 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.  
• Terms and Conditions are attached.  Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.

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.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk 

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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.