Director for Regions and Providers
Department for Education
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
The Director of Regions and Providers works alongside and in partnership with the Further Education (FE) Commissioner who is based within the directorate. We are delivery partners to skills policy and programme teams across Skills Group and provide critical feedback loops with our delivery partners to inform policy and programme design and delivery, including through our relationships with Mayoral Combined Authorities and local authorities.
The Regions and Providers Directorate is a cross-site Directorate, with teams in Bristol, Coventry, Darlington, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield, and place-based teams that operate remotely.
Contract Type: This role is being offered on a permanent basis. This role has a minimum assignment duration of 2 years*. This is a full-time role and suitable for a job-share.
This vacancy is open on a secondment basis to candidates from outside the Civil Service and on a loan basis to existing Civil Servants. External secondees’ ‘home’ employer, may, if they choose to do so, supplement the Civil Service salary for the successful secondee. Civil Service pay policy will apply for existing Civil Servants on loan.
Job description
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Senior Leadership Team of the Skills Group as Director for Regions and Providers Directorate. The Region and Providers Directorate’s purpose is to work with the providers that make up our local skills delivery chains in England to secure the delivery of key national skills priorities, providing challenge and support and where necessary intervening to secure financial and quality improvement. Working locally through Employer Representative Bodies and with key stakeholders we seek to maximise the impact of national skills investments on local growth and productivity
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
Improving delivery performance in relation to our priority skills programmes and the post-16 system as a whole, using sector relationships to challenge and support individual colleges, training providers and universities to respond.
Regularly generating intelligence and insight from providers on barriers to delivery to support policy and programme teams to iterate their plans.
Leading college intervention to secure a sustained recovery when things go wrong, working in partnership with the FE Commissioner and ESFA to secure improvement where colleges are judged inadequate on financial or quality grounds, establishing and delivering structural solutions where needed.
Managing a large portfolio of independent training providers, providing contractual oversight in partnership with ESFA and exiting failing and poorly performing ITPs.
Facilitating the development of well-functioning local skills systems that meet employers’ needs, placing employers at the heart of local skills systems through Local Skills Improvement Partnerships and enabling local collaboration to address local skill needs.
Working with local stakeholders and other government departments to maximise the benefits of locally targeted policies and initiatives such as Mayoral Combined Authority trailblazers and Investment Zones and mitigate the impact of economic shocks.
Leading a team of around 200 people, maintaining a high-performance culture, communicating a clear sense of direction and organisational purpose and actively embedding a culture of continuous improvement including through a clear commitment to collaborative working, learning and development, and equality and diversity.
- Providing leadership across the Skills Group as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Person specification
The successful candidate will need to demonstrate the following essential criteria:
Knowledge of the post-16 education landscape and the ability to develop a high degree of personal credibility with key stakeholders.
Experience of leading performance and service delivery in a large scale complex, high profile environment with challenging deadlines.
Proven ability to influence at Senior level, commanding the confidence and trust of key partners to shape and deliver priorities, challenging and influencing internal and external stakeholders at the highest levels. Particularly important will be a track record of working with senior stakeholders.
Proven track record of operating successfully in a senior leadership role, leading multidisciplinary teams and demonstrating the ability to deliver through others; including interpersonal and relationship building skills to motivate, inspire and develop capability in people at all levels
Evidence of a substantial active and effective corporate contribution to the wider leadership of their organisation. This could include shaping the response to key corporate and people initiatives such as diversity and inclusion and organisational change.
We would also like candidates to be able to demonstrate the following desirable criteria:
- Experience of handling complex financial decisions.
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 29 January 2024. You will be asked to provide:
- 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
- A Statement of Suitability (no longer than 2 sides or 1,250 words) detailing ‘why should we consider you for this role’ and why you have chosen the Department for Education. You can choose to outline any further information you believe is relevant and/ or further demonstrates your suitability for the 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
Shortlisting
Shortlisted candidates will:
- Take part in a Staff Engagement Panel (which typically takes up to 1 hour to complete), to be held week commencing 12 February 2024
- Be invited to attend a formal panel interview on 23 February 2024 at Sanctuary Buildings, London. 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 and Strengths using the Civil Service Strengths Dictionary.
As part of the recruitment process, we may request references.
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 scs.recruitment@education.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.
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
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.