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 4 values:

• we are inclusive
• we constantly improve
• we challenge
• we are agile

If this sounds like an environment you’d like to work in, we’d love to hear from you.

The Communications Directorate at DHSC leads the conversation about health and care by engaging people through innovative communications, supporting improvements to the health of the nation and the running of the NHS.

We use digital channels to inform the public about our work which is a key part of our communications approach.

The Content Design and Publishing team's mission is to put the user at the heart of our work delivering consultations, content for GOV.UK and online platforms that meet the needs of our users.

You will be supported to develop your career as part of a friendly, welcoming team where learning, development and wellbeing are integral parts of the offer.

The Department of Health and Social Care celebrates diversity and the value it brings in creating a fair and inclusive environment, where everyone can achieve their potential. 

Once you become a member of our team, we are not only interested in what you can bring to communications, but also our culture and values, including commitments to staff health and wellbeing, and our Diversity & Inclusion working group.

Job description

We are looking for a Consultations Manager to join the Content Design and Publishing team. We work to clearly explain and engage people in the development of the department's policies.

The successful candidate will lead our work to open up the department’s consultations to a wide audience and make them as accessible as possible.

As a survey design specialist, you will be responsible for planning and delivering our online surveys to ensure the public can easily engage with our consultations and calls for evidence.

You will also be the analytics lead for the team, using platforms such as Google Analytics to help us understand more about the reach and impact of our products.

You will work alongside the Senior Content Designer to ensure our content is user-focused, accessible and consistently meets GOV.UK publishing standards.

The main responsibilities are:

• working collaboratively with policy teams and other digital colleagues to create intuitive questions on user-friendly surveys
• building surveys and managing the consultation process to ensure we engage our target audiences, get valuable insights and adapt approaches based on results
• maintaining a forward plan of upcoming consultation work and development of a strategy to support them
• maintaining an evaluation dashboard to monitor engagement and improve our consultation approach
• acting as an advocate for user needs and providing training on consultation best practice
• using Google Analytics to support teams across the department in content evaluation 

Person specification

We need someone who:

• has experience of building and evaluating surveys
• has demonstrable experience of engaging with different audiences online via consultations or similar research methods
• has experience of working with data and planning work based on results
• is confident managing their own projects as well as working collaboratively with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders
• has excellent writing and editorial skills, ensuring content is accessible and in plain English
• can organise well and handle multiple deadlines  
• understands user needs and the importance of putting the user first
• can translate complex ideas into clear and simple writing
• can work with suppliers to improve our digital tools
• has experience of content design (knowledge of GOV.UK desirable) 

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, Experience and Technical skills.

Sift date: expected TBC

Interview date: expected TBC

Interview location: The interview will take place virtually via Microsoft Teams. Further details will be released to candidates who are successful at sift. 

The available interview slots will be released with the sift scores. 

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and Statement of Suitability (750 word max).

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 use your Statement of Suitability (in no more than 750 words) to outline how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role as set out in the job advert.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours and Technical skills.

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.

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

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

Any move to DHSC 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.

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.

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

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).

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

Open to UK nationals only.

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.