About the job

Job summary

In DHSC, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you’d like to work in, we’d love to hear from you.

The Global Health Research (GHR) team in the Science Research and Evidence Directorate (SRE) of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) was set up in 2016 to develop and deliver a new global health research portfolio utilising DHSC Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget, which is ring-fenced for activity conducted for the primary benefit of people living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

As an integral part of the Directorate, the GHR team build on the existing reputation, expertise and world-class commissioning power of the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) to support high-quality applied health research and training in LMICs. 

The portfolio is delivered directly through research which is commissioned and managed by the NIHR and through partnerships with other organisations and funders, including across government. Funding is allocated on the basis of competitive research calls in strategic areas aligned with UK government priorities, areas of greatest unmet need and the global burden of disease.

The portfolio has enabled more than 800 institutions in over 50 countries to deliver high-quality applied health research and build in-country capability in areas such as maternal health, global surgery, health systems research, infectious disease and chronic conditions. For more information on the NIHR GHR portfolio, see: www.nihr.ac.uk/globalhealth.

We are a friendly, busy team of 15 who develop and manage the research funding portfolio working closely with NIHR colleagues, other DHSC teams, and in partnership with other funders and agencies around the world. We also support the development and implementation of a set of strategic non-ODA international health research partnerships.

Job description

We are seeking a Global Health Research Programme and Policy Adviser to support the development and delivery of the exciting and expanding NIHR Global Health Research portfolio. The role will mainly focus on supporting the development of a strategic approach to the delivery of ODA-funded research programmes across the portfolio, including ODA policy and compliance, with some strategic lean-in across the wider SRE Programmes portfolio to maximise collective impact across our domestic (non-ODA) and global (ODA and non-ODA) portfolios. 

The role will help to ensure that our portfolio is coherent and adds value to research funding initiatives both in the UK and internationally, with the aim of maximising NIHR impact on the health and well-being of populations in LMICS and, where appropriate, the UK.

Person specification

• Stakeholder engagement: Building effective relationships and maintaining communication with colleagues across the department, the NIHR Coordinating Centre and with external partners and agencies, including internationally, to support and deliver the team’s objectives. 
• Programme development: Supporting the development and launch of new activities in areas of strategic importance, identifying emerging evidence and lessons learned to help shape the GHR portfolio and ensuring a consistent, innovative approach across the portfolio
• Programme management: Being the day-to-day point of contact for one or more funding programmes or thematic areas throughout the programme life cycle. Working with delivery partners to coordinate the effective and timely monitoring, reporting, financial reporting, impact assessments and evaluation of the areas you are responsible for, identifying and raising any issues arising in good time. 
• Project management: To lead on discrete pieces of cross-cutting project work with colleagues as well as with delivery partners as part of continuous improvement and development across the portfolio.
• ODA policy and compliance: Working closely with the team and wider DHSC colleagues to ensure consistent delivery of activities in line with ODA policy, transparency, safeguarding, spending targets, and government commitments to global health, such as the Global Health Framework.
• Work across SRE Programmes branch to drive stronger cohesion between the domestic and global research agendas, flexing into the domestic portfolio where strategic opportunities exist to strengthen the collective impact of our investments. Coordinating requests for briefing, including contributing to Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and ministerial briefings.
• Providing secretariat support to governance and programme boards and working groups.
• Support GHR and the wider branch with other responsibilities, such as communications, corporate functions and overseeing partnerships.

Key skills and experience required for the role

Essential

• Excellent organisational skills, with experience of project/programme management, and a demonstrable ability to adapt your approach when circumstances change
• Strong oral and written communication skills including the ability to build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and adapt to their varying needs
• Experience of delivering against goals and targets and ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Ability to work independently and flexibly across a diverse and busy team, to support new and emerging priorities
• Undergraduate degree or relevant qualification/experience

Desirable

• Some knowledge of, or an interest in, global health, research funding, Official Development Assistance or international development issues would be highly beneficial.

Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds.  Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration and enhancing team working, learning, and support. 

You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. 

Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need. 

There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme 2023-2024. Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements.    

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,188, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £8,690 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 and Experience.

Sift date: W/C 08/07/2024 

Interview date: expected W/C 29/07/2024

Interview location: By video. Further details will be released to candidates who are successful at sift. 

The available interview slots will be released with the sift scores. 

Applications will be sifted on CV, Statement of Suitability, and Behaviours.

Please use your CV to set out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role. These can be found in the ‘key skills and experience required for the role’ section of the advert.

Please use your statement of suitability to (in no more than 500 words) outline how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role as set out in the job advert.

An initial sift based on Lead Behaviour: Working Together may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours.

Candidates will be asked to give a presentation which will assess a behaviour: Delivering at Pace. Details of the presentation question will be issued to candidates with the release of the sift scores.

To find out more about working in the department please visit our page on the Civil Service Careers Website here and to find out more information on how to apply visit the Civil Service Careers Website here 

Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. 

Please note that applicants will require BPSS clearance.

Qualifications required for the role will be checked and verified by the vacancy holder as part of the onboarding process. You may also be asked to provide evidence that any qualifications obtained overseas are equivalent to those advertised. 

This role is being advertised on a permanent basis. If preferable, Loan or Secondment options will also be available for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited NDPBs or any other employer (Secondment). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

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 dhscrecruitment.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.

Further Information

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

Any move to DHSC 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

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.

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.

This role is being advertised on a permanent basis. If preferable, Loan or Secondment options will also be available for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited NDPBs or any other employer (Secondment). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

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

Terms and Conditions

Candidates should note that DHSC’s Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful. 

New Entrants to the Civil Service

New entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions:

• Annual Leave: 25 days on entry rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff
• Privilege Leave: 1 day - for the King’s birthday
• Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
• Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): one month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months’ full pay and five months’ half pay
• Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allow staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
• Probation: 6 month probation period

Existing Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotion

All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above). 

Existing DHSC staff, appointed on promotion

If DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSC’s pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).

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.