About the job

Job summary

The UK is committed to moving towards a more circular economy, meaning we keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract maximum value, minimise waste and promote resource efficiency.

The Collection and Packaging Reforms (CPR) within the Resources and Waste Directorate are key to this ambition. This a major Government programme, reforming how packaging is handled within the UK, through four distinct projects:

• An Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for Packaging in the UK (pEPR).  pEPR will require obligated producers to pay the full costs of managing packaging when it becomes waste. It will provide financial incentives through variation of the fees charged to packaging producers to encourage sustainable design, production and use of packaging
• A Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. When a consumer purchases a drink, they will pay a deposit for the container. The consumer will redeem their deposit when they return the drinks container to a return point for recycling. This provides a financial incentive for consumers to recycle in-scope containers
• Increasing the consistency of materials collected for recycling, for both households and businesses, in England. Through improved collection provision at home and at work, this policy is expected to help change behaviours and to reduce confusion over the materials that can and cannot be recycled
• A system for tracking waste in the UK, so that we have a comprehensive picture of how waste is created, what is done to it and where it ends up. This policy will help businesses to comply with their duty of care with regards to waste, reduce the ability for waste criminals to illegally mis-handle waste, and help us move towards a circular economy

The digital team consists of a small business unit that works closely with the CPR programme, and provides leadership to the multi-disciplinary digital team. As the reforms progress into delivery, both the business unit and the digital delivery team are focusing on delivering a service to ensure the effective functioning of the pEPR project. In this role, you will sit in the business unit and be responsible for assisting the delivery of the digital services to facilitate the reforms.

It is a friendly and collaborative place to work, where we attach importance to how we do things – values, learning and development, rewarding success.  These are demanding but exciting roles with the opportunity to contribute to the implementation of a major reform to packaging in the UK.

Job description

The post holder will be working in the team delivering Local Authority Payments (LAPs), the interface that Local Authorities will use to interact with pEPR.

You will become the subject matter expert on the Local Authority elements of the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme, and will use your knowledge of user needs to lead on the creation of a comprehensive comms and engagement plan, including Gov.uk guidance for local authorities. You will also help to shape what will be required of local authorities when they want to query an upcoming payment. 

Key Responsibilities

As a delivery advisor you will:

• Work with the G7 Team lead to build and maintain a product vision for LAPs
• Act as a subject matter expert on the end-to-end service Local Authorities will use to engage with pEPR
• Create a proactive and comprehensive comms and engagement plan, liaising with colleagues from other Government departments to ensure wider alignment of communications going out to Local Authorities
• Lead on the content, drafting and release schedule of Gov.uk guidance for LAPs
• Engage with stakeholders across the Collection and Packaging Reform programme to determine the steps local authorities looking to query an upcoming payment will need to take, and to avoid the duplication of activity for end-users

Person specification

Please note we will ask for evidence of this on your application form, in your personal statement.

You will be comfortable as a subject matter expert, working with complex policy.

You will be able to use strong written communication skills to condense complex policy into easily understandable information.

You can form collaborative working relationships quickly.

Essential criteria:

Please note, this will be assessed through Behaviours and at interview

• The ability to quickly develop expertise in a complex area of policy
• The ability to build and maintaining relationships with a range of stakeholders, both internal and external
• The ability to make recommendations at speed in a delivery environment
• The ability to communicate effectively across organisational boundaries, understanding the context and responding to challenge

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,439, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £10,687 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.

Application Process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete:

A CV (Job History, Qualifications and relevant skills and experience) 
Personal Statement of 750 words (max) which should cover examples of the following:- You will be comfortable as a subject matter expert, working with complex policy.

- You will be able to use strong written communication skills to condense complex policy into easily understandable information.

- You can form collaborative working relationships quickly.

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

Sift

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the personal statement. 

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Sift and interview dates are to be confirmed.

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the Behaviours listed and experience relevant to the role.

You will be assessed at interview on the following behaviours and strengths: 

Behaviours
- Delivering at Pace 

- Communicating and Influencing

- Making Effective Decisions

- Working Together

Strengths: 
- Adaptable
- Organiser
- Relationship builder

A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.

We will hold all interviews remotely via telephone or video.

Location

Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Candidates applying for these roles will be based at one of the Defra hubs as advertised.  

For information, our core Defra hub locations are:

• York – the Kings Pool
• Newcastle – Lancaster House
• Bristol – Horizon House (Please note that space at this office is limited and it may not be possible for all Policy roles to be recruited to this location)
• London – 2 Marsham Street

Internal (core Defra) employees can apply for this role and choose to remain in their current location or to be based in one of the advertised locations.

All other applicants will be based in one of the advertised locations.Our current office attendance approach requires 60% attendance in Defra group workplaces or off site meetings with partners and customers. This balance provides thriving workplaces to connect with colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs balanced with personal flexibility and choice. 

Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.

Reserve List

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

Merit Lists

Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.

Salary 

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

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 defrarecruitment.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. 

Accessibility

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

Criminal Record Check

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. 

Internal Fraud Database Check

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.

Higher Security Clearance 

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter.

All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer. 

Childcare Vouchers 

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. 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.