About the job

Job summary

We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates  

At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks,  special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.

Equality and Diversity - Department for Education

We are looking for an inspiring, creative and enabling leader to drive policy innovation across government and oversee the Policy Lab team, our Collective Intelligence Lab and our National Security Lab as well as a wide range of emerging next practice initiatives and approaches to engage citizens in policy development.

Job description

To be effective as the Deputy Director for Policy Labs and Policy Innovation, you will be an established innovation leader with extensive experience leading a multidisciplinary innovation team. You will be passionate about radically experimental, impact-focussed and compassionate approaches to policy development - with a proven and recognised track record in this area. You will have excellent networks to further the Lab’s missions. You will also be visionary and ambitious about taking the Labs to the next stage of their development.

As the as the Deputy Director for Policy Labs and Policy Innovation, you will:

• Act as a national and international figurehead for policy innovation by representing the Policy Lab(s) at the highest levels in government and beyond. This will entail thought leadership externally and internally to the civil service, and a presence in both like-minded innovation communities as well as potential new markets for the Lab(s) high-impact innovation work.
• Coalition build across government, civil society and beyond to take the Lab(s) impact and projects to the next stage. This will require ‘horizontal connections’ that bring different groups and disciplines to bear on cross-cutting policy agendas and the management of senior relationships, including Lab’s fledgling steering group of senior champions.
• Set and uphold a strong vision and theory of change for the Lab teams - informed and iterated with compelling impact evidence about the Lab(s) work - ensuring that they are always pushing at the cutting edge of policy innovation. This includes strategies to deliver impact from innovation work across the 30,000 strong policy profession in government.
• Oversee the team’s business development with the G6 leadership team by identifying and securing new strategic opportunities for the Lab, such as multi-year initiatives and high-impact external partnerships.
• Oversee radical innovation in the quasi-commercial business models which underpin Policy Lab, NS Lab and other fledging initiatives. This includes holding the financial and operational risk for our (two +) start-ups to gather business, solidify their operations, evaluating their impact and scale up or down as appropriate.
• Develop the Labs’ unique studio culture at the heart of government, by nurturing a multidisciplinary group of more than 30 designers, policymakers, ethnographers, technologists, curators, placements and other non-traditional skilled team members to do their best work. There should be consideration for greater diversity in the Lab teams, for example through recruitment and partnerships.
• Have corporate responsibilities in the Strategic Policy Directorate, including contributing to leadership decisions, building strategic relationships with sister teams and developing the Directorate’s collaborative culture.

Person specification

Applicants will be assessed against the following essential and desirable criteria. 

We are looking for someone to be/have the following essential experience:

• Extensive experience bringing innovation into policymaking
• Proven ability to develop strong relationships with policy teams across government to trial and deploy 
  experimental approaches
• Managed a multidisciplinary team, including management of non-typical Civil Service roles such as 
  designers, artists, technologists, ethnographers and scientists
• External leadership reputation and credibility with a broad range of internal and external partners

Desirable experience:

• Management of a commercial or quasi-commercial operation without core funding 

Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.

Benefits

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK, with an average employer contribution of 27%.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King's Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.

As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

Application:

To apply for this role, you need to complete an online application via the Civil Service Jobs portal. Applications will be accepted until 23:59 hours on 26 January 2024.

You will be asked to provide:

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
2. A 750-word personal Statement of Suitability. The statement of suitability should demonstrate your experience in relation to the ‘essential experience’ listed above and on slide 7 of the attached candidate pack, as well as telling us more about you, and the values and motivation you would bring to this role.

Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification. 

If you are unable to apply online, please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk in the first instance. Please visit our career site for further information on the Civil Service application process.

Please note the following:

• We cannot accept applications submitted after the closing date;
• Applications will be assessed solely on the documentation provided;
• Please refer to the advert and checklist above to ensure you have provided everything requested;
• Applications will be acknowledged upon receipt;
• Feedback will only be given to candidates unsuccessful following interview

Should we receive a high number of applications, we will perform an initial sift based on the experience you outline in your statement.

Interview:
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a formal panel interview during week commencing 19th of February. You will be asked to prepare a presentation for the interview (further information will be shared with shortlisted candidates) and you will be asked questions to further assess your Experience using the Civil Service Strengths Dictionary.

Please note that at interview stage we may ask if you have any conflicts of interest to declare.

Candidates with disabilities
As an employer we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all our colleagues and applicants. The Department for Education uses the Disability Confident scheme (formerly the Guaranteed Interview scheme) to help widen employment opportunities for disabled people. Applicants with disabilities who meet the essential criteria, as stated in the person specification, the Civil Service nationality requirements and indicate they are applying under the Disability Confident scheme will be guaranteed an interview. 

To apply under the Disability Confident scheme please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk 

Employment scheme for Veterans
The ‘Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme’ makes it easier for veterans to join the Civil Service. If you opt into the scheme and meet the minimum criteria, you’ll progress to the next stage for most roles – whether that’s an interview or an online test.

To apply under the scheme, please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk

For an accessible version of the candidate pack, please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk

Other Information

We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.

The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.  

DfE cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DfE holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe 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 circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.

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.

Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs

Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.

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 Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk 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.

Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming 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/

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.