About the job

Job summary

Our Deputy Director, Inspection Improvement will lead our inspection improvement work harnessing the potential for new approaches to support the way we work. 

Reporting directly to the National Director, Education, the Deputy Director, Inspection Improvement will be Ofsted’s chief adviser on inspection improvement policy and practice, advising the National Director, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI) and Chief Operating Officer on all relevant matters.

They will be responsible for the oversight of the Education Directorate’s continuous improvement cycle and the subsequent development of Ofsted’s inspection policies and practice for education inspection, driving improvement through the system with a clear focus on children and learners. 

Job description

Please refer to the job specification for further information.

Person specification

Please refer to the job specification for further information.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £91,800, Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills contributes £24,786 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.

All applications will be considered by the selection panel. The panel will consider how your application demonstrates that you can fulfil the criteria set out in the person specification. We will inform you whether or not you were successful at each stage.

Shortlist

The panel will assess your application, including statement of suitability against the essential and desirable criteria of the person specification. Those who best meet the criteria will be shortlisted.

Psychometric assessment

Shortlisted candidates will be required to take part in online psychometric assessments, followed by a telephone conversation with an occupational psychologist.

Staff Engagement Exercise

Shortlisted candidate will be required to take part in a Staff Engagement Exercise with Ofsted staff. Candidates will be given a topic ahead of the session and will be expected to hold a two-way discussion.

These assessments will not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather, they are designed to support the panel’s decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview. Full details and guidance on these assessments will be provided to all shortlisted candidates.

Panel interview and presentation

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend a panel interview in order to have a more in-depth discussion about your previous experience and how you meet the criteria of the person specification. As part of this process, you will also be asked to undertake a short presentation for the panel and will be given time on the day to prepare immediately prior to your interview. Interviews are expected to take place in London. Panel interview arrangements will be confirmed with shortlisted candidates as early as possible.

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.