About the job

Job summary

Government grant funding plays an important role domestically, in areas such as education, research, civil society and innovation, as well as abroad through international aid projects. Grant spending accounts for around 16% of all UK Government expenditure (2021/22). Part of the Government Grants and Commercial Directorate, the Government Grants Management Function (GGMF) works to ensure that every pound of Government Grants annual spend (£172bn in 2021/22) makes a difference to the economy and to communities.

We are a dynamic, inclusive and nationally-based Function, working at the heart of government to provide strategic leadership and set standards. We work with government departments and their agencies to deliver grants more efficiently, effectively, transparently and safely; protecting public money from fraud and maximising value for money.

Our work requires a diverse set of skills and expertise and we are committed to supporting individuals to develop their skills and experience, improve their performance and build their career with us.

We have a track record of delivering efficiency in grants administration, increasing effectiveness in grant funding, reducing loss through fraud, and driving innovation in digital solutions. Through our collective efforts we have delivered true value to the public and we are excited to be taking the next steps in our journey.

With this, comes the exciting opportunity to become a part of the Grants Function. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Job description

The role will be to lead the portfolio management office (PMO) support to the Efficiency Portfolio being run by GGMF.

GGMF is delivering the Find a Grant Programme, which has developed a single digital place for citizens to find and apply for government grants. The programme is now focused on driving uptake of the services across government, so involves wide-ranging stakeholder engagement activities.

We have also started to pilot the Government Grants Managed Service (GGMS) which is testing the concept of an end-to end grant administration service.

The portfolio has an established blended team of civil servants and delivery partners. The PM covers both programmes in the portfolio and is critical to their successful delivery.

• The post holder will work to the Find a Grant Programme Manager, in supporting both programme delivery teams.
• The main focus will be to ensure that there is appropriate administrative support to the portfolio, including programme logs, stakeholder engagement and communications, governance and reporting.
• The PMO will continue to be critical to coordination of key meetings, facilitating workshops and taking forward key actions.
• PMO support to the delivery teams will include assisting with IT requirements, supporting recruitment and procurement activities.
• The post holder will have regular contact with the cross-government stakeholders in the portfolio.
• The post holder will manage risks, issues, governance, planning and reporting and provide leadership to the PMO.

Person specification

Essential

• A proven record of supporting project delivery.
• Experience of programme management office methodologies.
• Understands and identifies problems, analysing and helping to identify the appropriate solutions.
• A flexible and enthusiastic approach to working within a team to deliver at pace and to a high quality.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience of managing governance processes.
• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and help to maintain a positive team culture.

Desirable

• Understanding of the wider government landscape.

Additional information

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. Although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,400, Cabinet Office contributes £9,558 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.

Application process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and a 500 word personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

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.

Selection process

During the interview, you will be assessed against your experience and behaviours that are contained in this advert.  You will be assessed on the below behaviours: 

• Communicating and influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – W/C 19th February
Expected interview date/s – W/C  4th March
Interview location - Google Meet (formerly Hangout)

Further information

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

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

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

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.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to 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. 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.