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.

You will work in the Global Health Group, which plays a crucial role managing the response to international health-related incidents like COVID-19 or Ebola. The Global Health group also leads on global health strategies, advocacy and international negotiations. Staff work in a variety of roles, such as implementing the Trade and Cooperation agreement following EU Exit and developing the policy on vaccines deployment and therapeutics. Our vision is to keep people’s health safe at home and overseas by building strong relationships with our national and international partners

The International Directorate sits within the Global Health Group and works to strengthen global health systems and health partnerships to improve global health outcomes for the benefit of the UK and others, because no one is safe until everyone is safe. The directorate delivers this objective through several teams, all of which are supportive, friendly and committed to personal development and wellbeing.

Our role is available in the Global Health Security (GHS) programme, a targeted programme to strengthen global capacity to prevent, detect and respond to global health threats by working in partnership with low- and middle-income countries and the global health system.  It is funded through the Government’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as part of UK Aid. The purpose of the GHS portfolio is to combat the world’s most serious infectious diseases and public health threats, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR), in order to support delivery of the globally agreed Sustainable Development Goals. Over the past few years, the GHS programme has directly helped countries combat the threat of Covid-19, Ebola, AMR and others through vaccine development, support for disease surveillance and specialist advice.

Job description

The role sits within the GHS Programme Management Office (PMO). The PMO team is inclusive and supportive, comprised of a mix of professionals including project delivery, communications, finance, commercial and monitoring, evaluation and learning. You will be working to help the PMO support our 5 programme teams: the Fleming Fund, the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund, the UK Vaccine Network, the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team, and the International Health Regulations Strengthening Project. You will advise on best practice on communications in particular, as well as helping to ensure we meet our programme management commitments. You’ll do this by leading on our internal and external communications activities and developing the programme management capability of the GHS team.

You will have the opportunity to work with cross-government stakeholders and our programme teams’ global stakeholders, such as universities, intergovernmental organisations, non-government organisations and private companies. There is potential for limited international travel.

We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. The post is available for full-time, part-time (such as job shares) or flexible working arrangements. If you are looking specifically for part-time or specific flexible working arrangements, then you are advised to discuss directly with the vacancy manager. Our team is based in both London and Leeds and successful candidates are welcome to work from our offices in either location. We particularly encourage applications from groups that are currently under-represented in our workforce.

We strongly recommend that applicants get in touch with the vacancy manager to find out more information about this role.

Person specification

This is a dual role, split between providing communications support to the GHS programme team and programme management for the GHS Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme. The role holder will:

• Create a strong, cohesive narrative of GHS work, as well as working with other DHSC teams to create a cohesive overview of our ODA portfolio
• Support project communications leads in developing comms plans and creating content, ensuring there are coherent narratives, key messages and communication objectives
• Manage the GHS social media page on X, update the GHS intranet page and support project teams with their social media activity
• Work with the International Directorate communications team to facilitate GHS programme announcements and on other x-Directorate communications activities
• Support on events run by project teams, such as the Fleming Fund Delivery Partner Event
• Build programme management capability across GHS: facilitating a learning forum for project managers, organising learning days and other L&D opportunities
• Support Ministerial and cross government briefings and holding our programme core script
• Develop case studies and curating our impact stories to support the spending review process
• Line management of one EO responsible for travel and event management support

Key skills and experience required for the role.

Research shows that women and under-represented groups are less likely to apply to roles if they do not meet all the criteria. If you think you’d be a good fit and/or you would enjoy this role, please get in touch or apply anyway. We welcome diversity in our team.

Experiences

Essential:

• Project/programme management experience
• Communications experience, including developing and managing communications strategies and setting communications objectives
• Strong oral and written communications skills, including writing briefs and writing clearly for target audiences
• Proven organisational skills: ability to manage conflicting priorities whilst being able to deliver at pace
• Ability to build strong working relationships with stakeholders at all levels, both internal and external
• Ability to be flexible and responsive to different team needs and priorities

Desirable:

• Experience working on ODA funded projects/programmes
• Line management experience

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,025, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £10,806 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.

Sift date: expected W/C 15/01/2024

Interview date: expected W/C 29/01/2024

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.

Please complete statements on the specified Behaviours (250 word max per statement).

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

An initial sift based on CV and Statement of Suitability 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 and Strengths.

Candidates will be asked a presentation which will assess experience. 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.

Further Information

Applicants who are appointable but were not successful in appointment to this vacancy, may be held on a reserve list for up to 12 months, and contacted if similar vacancies become available. 

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

Please note that applicants will require BPSS clearance. 

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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 either level transfer or 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.