Deputy Head of Operations
HM Treasury
About the job
Job summary
About HM Treasury
If you’re interested in making a difference to people’s lives, the Treasury can offer you an exciting opportunity to influence decision making that affects the whole of the UK. Working at the heart of government, we collaborate across government to promote responsible public spending and drive strong and sustainable economic growth.
Our work ranges from protecting customers through the regulation of the financial sector, helping to reduce carbon emissions and creating a greener economy, to promoting British trade around the world and supporting people across the country on jobs, growth and more.
We are part of the Darlington Economic Campus, a pioneering new cross-government hub which brings people together to play an active role in the most important issues of the day whilst working closer to the communities we serve. The campus provides the opportunity for people from all over the UK to help shape the future of the country, and our flexible working practices ensure you can collaborate effectively with our partners. It’s central government, made more accessible to you!
Job description
About the Group
International Group
Do you want to advise ministers on promoting and protecting the UK’s economy and its competitiveness internationally in a fast-changing environment? If so, read on!
International Group provides opportunities to work on areas including - spending control on international development, trade policy, climate change, health, cooperation on Ukraine, economic security, financial sanctions and tackling illicit finance. We also manage economic relationships with Europe, US, China and other advanced economies and emerging markets.
We build relationships with external and international partners and represent the UK in a range of international groupings and institutions, including the G7, the G20, the International Monetary Fund and at some of the Multilateral Development Banks. We also analyse international comparisons and the wider global economic context, including for fiscal events. Although international travel is an important part of some roles, it is not required for every role in the group and will be specified if required.
About the Team
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI)
OFSI sits within HM Treasury, has been operational since March 2016 and in its first six years quickly established itself as a world-leader in financial sanctions, a key area of financial, foreign and national security policy. It remains front and centre of an unprecedented financial sanctions response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
HM Treasury implements financial sanctions in the UK, and OFSI fulfils this role on its behalf. It leads on the implementation of UN and UK financial sanctions and domestic terrorist asset freezing, providing a high-quality service to the private and charitable sectors, and guidance to help them follow the law. It works closely with law enforcement, intelligence agencies and strategic policy colleagues across Whitehall and beyond to help ensure that financial sanctions are accurately understood, implemented and enforced. OFSI has important partner relationships in the regulated financial services sector, the primary implementers of financial sanctions, and is an integral part of the sanctions community worldwide.
Robust enforcement of financial sanctions helps to maintain the integrity of and confidence in the UK financial sector, a priority for the Prime Minister and the Chancellor. We have strong powers, including to impose monetary penalties, and is in the front line in the fight against this serious crime.
OFSI is a diverse and dynamic team of over 130 people, from a variety of backgrounds and professions. We offer an outstanding environment to broaden your experience and develop new skills, whilst working on some of the highest profile international issues the UK faces. We strongly support a good work-life balance and flexible working is actively encouraged.
You can read more about OFSI on our gov.uk page here: https://www.gov.uk/ofsi
About the Job
The unprecedented speed, scale and complexity of the UK’s sanctions response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in a step change in the profile of financial sanctions. The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation has tripled in size and is undergoing a period of change.
This exciting role sits within OFSI’s Operations branch and is a leadership role of a busy team, working on high profile and time sensitive implementation of financial sanctions. Reporting to the Head of Operations Branch, you will have responsibility for line management of and day-to-day running of your team.
This critical role will lead for the team on the management of operations, IT infrastructure and procedures within OFSI. The role will need to work across all branches and the senior management team in OFSI, whilst understanding how the wider team can work better together to ensure continuous improvement as it continues to expand and meet new challenges. The post holder will need strong coordination and delivery skills and be prepared to represent both OFSI and the branch with external stakeholders, both domestically and internationally.
Key responsibilities will include:
1. Oversee the day-to-day work of OFSI’s Operations Branch including OFSI’s Intake and Assessment function – keep operational processes under constant review and work with the Head of Operations to ensure both continuous improvement and step-change improvements. Ensure any changes are reflected in core OFSI processes, procedures, and operational manuals, whilst working with the wider team to ensure clear articulation to both colleagues and key partners of how OFSI implements financial sanctions.
2. Lead for OFSI in discussions on the future of our sanctions lists (a key industry communication tool) - both across government and internationally. Lead for OFSI on developing and agreeing any potential changes. Work with partners across government to ensure the right outcome for industry and effective sanctions implementation more broadly.
3. Responsibility for the overall delivery of frozen assets reporting. On an ongoing basis this includes OFSI’s Annual Frozen Assets Review and In-Year reporting; the planning, publication and delivery of the process, working with teams across OFSI to ensure that this work is completed to time, accurately and findings/issues raised within the team. This also includes leading a project to procure a new database for our frozen assets data and implementing an associated new process, working closely with procurement leads and other colleagues working on IT modernisation projects.
4. Oversight of a new OFSI procurement and improvement centre of expertise, supporting a new HEO on this area to apply their skills and to support the wider team.
5. Oversight of OFSI IT improvement projects and IT modernisation, supporting a new HEO on this area to build their skills, engage externally and to support the to design and source improved IT services. Ensure all our IT projects are joined-up and deliver value for money without duplication.
6. Establish and/or maintain strong relationships with key domestic and international partners such as working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO), other government departments and UK regulators, whilst attending representing OFSI with both domestic and international partners such as UK Finance or the US Treasury/OFAC. This will involve developing solutions to complex delivery issues and, presenting these (where required) on important changes to key OFSI operational processes or systems.
7. Deputise for the Head of Operations (Range E/Grade 7) and cover their role responsibilities during their absence.
8. Work flexibly across the Operations Branch and wider Governance, Operations and Strategy Unit to lead other projects and ensure we are able to deliver a variety of work strands to a high standard.
9. Line management responsibility for at least one HEO and potentially 1-3 range C’s (EO equivalent).
Experience of financial sanctions, operations, financial services or economic crime would be beneficial.
This role requires a SC level clearance. Depending on business need, the successful candidate may be requested to obtain DV clearance whilst in post, however this is not a requirement of the role.
Tuesday 16th July 2024 @ 13:00 Join the meeting now
If you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date for applications to find out more about the job, please contact laura.harbidge@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Person specification
We are looking for the below skills, experience and behaviours and we will ask you to demonstrate these in your application form. Please review the Candidate FAQ document that is attached to the advert for guidance on how to complete your application form.
- Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with others, developing and nurturing positive relationships to arrive at high quality outcomes. (Working Together)
- A proven ability to proactively identify areas for improvement and drive forward change. (Changing and Improving)
- Ability to work independently, planning and driving forward longer-term projects whilst managing shorter term demands to deliver to deadline and under pressure. (Delivering at Pace)
- Ability to support a diverse range of individuals to develop and thrive in a challenging environment (Developing Self and Others)
The lead criterion is: Working Together
If we receive large volumes of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criterion only.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £39,500, HM Treasury contributes £10,665 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, Strengths and Experience.Recruitment Timeline
Closing date: Sunday 21st July 2024
Shortlisting: w/c 22nd July 2024
Interviews: w/c 5th August 2024
This timeline is indicative and may be subject to change. We will inform you if there is a substantial change to the recruitment timeline.
If your contact details change at any time during the selection process, please ensure you update your Civil Service Jobs Profile.
Please note that only applications submitted through Civil Service Jobs will be accepted
Eligibility Statement
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role in the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. Checks will be performed as part of pre-employment checks in line with this. Please refer to the Candidate FAQ document attached to the advert for more information.
Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks. Additionally, individuals appointed to the Treasury group will be subject to National Security Vetting. The level of security vetting required for this role is Security Check (SC)
To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, applicants will need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 out of the past 5 years. In exceptional circumstances, a lack of residency would not be a bar to security clearance however the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case by case basis once the advert closing date has passed.
Please read the Vetting Charter for information on what to expect during the vetting process and what will be expected from you. Many areas of your life may be explored during your vetting journey, and it is important that every individual, regardless of their background and experiences, should feel comfortable going through this personal process, whilst having confidence that it is fair, proportionate, and inclusive.
These short videos address common concerns and preconceptions which applicants may have about national security vetting. If you have questions relating to security clearances, please contact HMTSecurityVetting@hmtreasury.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
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.