About the job

Job summary

This is a once in a decade opportunity to be part of designing a new operating model for HR and Finance services in the Cabinet Office. 

The MyCO Programme is a small, focused team made up of programme, functional and technical specialists delivering a major corporate services transformation programme at the heart of government. 

The Programme is accountable to the Chief Operating Officer and Cabinet Office ministers, and has been set up to deliver the government’s Shared Services Strategy for the Cabinet Office.

The Programme goes beyond IT and service replacement - this is about transforming how we deliver corporate services. The focus is on business and organisational change to ensure the technology and services introduced optimise the way we work.

The MyCO Programme sits within a wider cross-government programme, the Matrix Programme, which is a transformation initiative working with eight other government departments. The Matrix Programme is a unique cross-government collaboration that will unlock simpler, better, and more joined up working by bringing together the systems, processes, and ways of working for key government functions such as HR, Finance or Procurement, commonly known as Shared Services. 

Matrix will deliver the Government's three overarching objectives for shared services: 

1. Better experience for all users - intuitive systems that are easy to use and mobile-enabled.
2. Efficiency and value for money - better systems and services which support productivity and seek to reduce costs.
3. Standardised processes and data.

Job description

The complexity and fast pace of the programme means the successful candidates must have a minimum of five years’ experience working in large, tech-enabled government projects. Experience of technology driven Software as a Service Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation would also be highly beneficial.

The successful candidates will need significant experience, knowledge and confidence in order to manage the evolving and competing priorities of the team.

Please note this is a busy and high performing team, consisting of specialists delivering a time-bound programme - there is limited opportunity for ‘on the job learning’. The successful candidate will be highly experienced and able to ‘hit the ground running’. 

Reporting to the Head of ERP Service Management there are two new and exciting roles available in the team at SEO level:

Role 1: ERP Service Delivery Manager

Role 2: ERP Service Improvement Manager 

The ERP Service Manager will be responsible for the service management of the Cabinet Offices’ shared services call off contract as part of the wider Framework Authority. You will work closely with the Head of ERP and service provider to establish a clear understanding of the current service to be able to effectively manage and mitigate service risks and issues and identify potential improvements. Alongside this you will need to establish effective working relationships with colleagues across the corporate services group including Finance and HR and commercial specialists. You will also collaborate with the Framework Authority for the contract, Government People Group (GPG), and other government departments using the service such as DWP, MOJ and Defra. The core responsibilities are to:

• Manage and provide strategic oversight of the SSCL ERP service for Cabinet Office by coordinating activity in HR, Finance and commercial service management. 
• Manage an effective change process, through the line management of an HEO Change Lead, to ensure the process is documented and validated and provides value to for money against the existing service catalogue 
• Take accountability to resolve strategic service problems and service incidents as well as driving analysis and resolution of complex issues, being proactive and enlisting support and escalating where appropriate.
• Create and present regular performance reports to Senior Management and formal governance boards, providing a single view of service performance. Attend regular supplier led boards as the CO representative. 
• Conduct periodic quality assurance of service delivery 
• Work alongside contract managers; managing service mechanisms,  such as service level agreements (SLAs) and KPIs to deliver to agreed performance targets in a cost effective and timely manner across all relevant functions.
• Project management of additional tactical service improvements. Working with suppliers and business areas to ensure delivery. 

The ERP Service Improvement Lead will be responsible for leading tactical and strategic system and service improvements that are geared towards excellent user outcomes and assist in the transition of services.. This will be achieved through close understanding of the Cabinet Offices’ Shared Services contract with SSCL and as part of the wider Framework Authority. You will work closely with senior leaders and SSCL to lead the identification, scope and delivery of technical and functional improvement projects focused on our ERP system and service which are aligned to the Corporate Services Transformation Board objectives. You will need to be user focused, passionate about delivery and have the confidence and ability to work across a complex range of stakeholders. You will need to establish effective working relationships with colleagues across the corporate services group including policy and process owners within Finance and HR and commercial specialists. Alongside this you will also collaborate with the Framework Authority for the contract within Government People Group (GPG), and other government departments where the service improvement is shared such as DWP, MOJ and Defra. The core responsibilities are to: 

• Analyse current processes, and identify and implement opportunities to optimise them within the scope and approval of the Framework Authority
• Plan short-term, medium-term and long-term road-maps prioritised by business benefits and assisting transition to a future service.
• Understand, document and and devise testing for end user requirements
• Develop strong relationships with process owners across the business to drive service improvement in readiness for the new service.
• Be able to approach data creatively and be willing to challenge legacy metrics and reporting structures when they no longer derive the best insights 
• Work with different and sometimes incomplete data sets to produce accurate and reliable analysis. 
• Instil a culture of continuous improvement into service delivery

Alongside the core responsibilities of both roles you will be involved in service transformation. You can expect to be:

• Developing and maintaining a strategic supplier relationship in readiness for service transition.
• Working with senior colleagues in transition and exit planning and input into wider matrix programme activities. 
• Developing and maintaining business relationships to define new and improved ways of working, inputting into design and implementation of new service model 
• Reviewing and assurance of Matrix Programme plans and activities. 
• Representing the Cabinet Office in working groups and boards to ensure service transformation for shared services meets CO requirements. 

Person specification

Essential 

• Experience of service management (pref : business processing/ outsourced services) 
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Attention to detail including ability to analyse both qualitative and quantitative information and produce management information for various audiences
• Experience of budget management and invoicing and ability to assess costs, options, benefits and risks
• Complex problem-solving skills including ability to think logically and clearly, and take rational and decisive action under pressure 

Desirable 

• Experience of Oracle E Business suite 
• Working knowledge of Central government and shared services 
• Contract management 
• Line management experience

Development opportunities

• Training opportunities to develop knowledge and become certified in ITIL Service Management
• Government Contract Management training

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,850, Cabinet Office contributes £11,029 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

To apply you will need to complete a CV and personal statement (not more than 750 words) for assessing your Experience.

We want you to demonstrate the essential criteria in the best way possible. To help, there's information on the application process.

Including what Civil Service Success Profiles are, and how to write your CV / personal statement. And attached below is guidance with further tips.

Your personal statement will be assessed based on your experience in relation to its applicability of this role. The experience indicators being assessed are:

• Experience of delivering service management practices and developing these in line with strategic priorities
• Experience of working with a variety of stakeholders with conflicting interests
• Experience of working with quantitative and qualitative data to inform service improvement outcomes

Your personal statement should be a maximum of 750 words and we recommend a minimum of 250 words for each of the bullet points above.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead Experience criteria. Which is: experience of delivering effective service management. 

Selection process

If successful at the sifting stage, you will be invited to attend an interview. Prior to the interview you’ll be sent details of a role related task to submit in advance for the Technical assessment.

At the interview you’ll be asked to briefly talk through this and answer any questions. You will also be asked Experience, Behaviour and Strength based questions.

Expected timeline 

The closing date for applications is Friday 12th January 2024.

The sift is due to take place w/c 15th January 2024.

Interviews are likely to be held on either w/c 15th January 2024 or w/c 29th January 2024.

Interview location - Google meet Video Conferencing

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

Reasonable adjustments

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 cabinetofficerecruitment.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.

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

Further Information

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

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access 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

Please note that this role requires CTC clearance, which would normally need 3 years’ UK residency in the past 3 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

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

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 /Disclosure Scotland 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.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

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. 

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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist 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

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.