About the job

Job summary

Our priorities

Optimise public R&D investment to support areas of relative UK strength and increase the level of private R&D to make our economy the most innovative in the world.

Promote a diverse research and innovation system that connects discovery to new companies, growth and jobs – including by delivering world-class physical and digital infrastructure (such as gigabit broadband), making the UK the best place to start and grow a technology business and developing and attracting top talent.

Put public services – including the NHS and schools – at the forefront of innovation, championing new ways of working and the development of in-house STEM capability to improve outcomes for people.

Strengthen international collaboration on science and technology in line with the Integrated Review, and ensure our researchers are able to continue to work with leading scientists in Europe and around the world.

Deliver legislative and regulatory reforms to drive competition and promote innovation, including the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill and our pro-innovation approach to regulating AI.

Our Inclusive Environment

We have an inclusive culture which makes the Department a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it helps us be more innovative.

 We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.

We welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion and fully support candidates with a disability or long-term condition who require adjustments in our recruitment process.

We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/departmentforsciencetechnologyandinnovation?

You can also follow our LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dsitcareers/  

Please note that DSIT are currently reviewing our terms and conditions and pay arrangements following Machinery of Government changes and as part of the outstanding August 2023 pay award.  Please be aware that there may be changes to the terms and conditions and pay ranges listed in this advert ahead of you starting in post. Any changes would be implemented in early 2024.

Job description

As the Head of Assurance & Approvals, you will lead a team responsible for conducting independent assessments and providing assurance that projects, particularly those of high complexity, are on track and aligned with the organisation's objectives. Your team will assess that projects and programmes are being appropriately managed and that their activities and business rationale remain accurate and achievable. 

You and your team will also verify and provide assurance that departmental guidance on assurance reviews is appropriately applied and help to define and design how reviews are undertaken. This also includes ensuring reviews are scheduled and delivered to enable scrutiny of the achievability of the project to meet its objectives and benefits as stated within the business case.  You will act in the role of Departmental Assurance Co-ordinator.

In addition, your team will play a key role in the approvals process, overseeing the keyholder process for all business cases going to the Project Initiation Committee (PIC) and scrutinising management and strategy cases, and supporting existing governance groups and stakeholders in decision making. Your expertise in governance and familiarity with His Majesty’s Treasury’s five case model will be essential.

We are seeking a candidate who is comfortable with proportionate Independent Assurance and Approval Points (IAAPs) and activities throughout the project initiation and setup stages. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact on project success and strategic decision-making.

Person specification

• You will be responsible for leading assurance activities across the department.
• Be a subject matter expert, recognised as an authority for all assurance related activity and be able to provide guidance on requirements across a departmental portfolio.
• Ensure adherence to Cabinet Office guidance and relevant best practices.
• Provide guidance and leadership to enable fully integrated assurance planning, including the influencing of guidance on all types of assurance reviews.
• Collaborate with Project/Programme Managers to implement appropriate levels of assurance as part of baseline and future planning activities.
• Hold Senior Responsible Owners responsible for ensuring corrective actions are undertaken following assurance interventions and share lessons learned with other projects.
• Responsible for the accountability of the management of assurance reporting activities across a department ensuring assurance is embedded across project and programme teams.
• Oversee the keyholder process for all business cases going to the PIC.
• Apply a comprehensive understanding of the HMT 5 case model across assurance and approval service offers.
• Provide guidance and support in developing proportionate IAAPs during project initiation and setup stages.
• Ensure that the key areas for evaluation in assurance reviews include alignment with the business case; management processes; overall progress towards output in terms of time, cost, and quality; stakeholder relationships and perceptions; final outcomes, lessons learned, benefits plans and realisation.

Skills and experience

Essential Criteria:

• Extensive assurance experience gained within a project environment, or significant appropriate assurance management gained within a non-project environment.
• Significant experience of collaborating and influencing stakeholders in a complex environment; evidence of excellent communication skills, building good working relationships and managing conflict.
• Demonstrates a high level of experience in governance within a complex project, experience demonstrated at a practitioner level.
• Experience of risk and issue management, business change and how to implement, change control and knowledge management practices when working with projects, programmes, and portfolios.
• Visible leadership experience, promoting diversity, inclusion, and equality of opportunity, and influencing and engaging stakeholders across organisational boundaries.
• Track record of working innovatively and effecting positive culture change.

Desirable Criteria:

It is desirable that the candidate has some knowledge of Project Management Methodology supported by the following:

• APM Registered Project Profession.
• Infrastructure & Project Authority (IPA) Reviewer medium or high risk’

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,580, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £16,626 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, Experience and Technical skills.

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

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 750 words) to describe why you are suitable for this job role, based on your skills and experience.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the Personal Statement.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The interview will consist of behaviour, technical and strength-based questions.

A reserve list of candidates may be kept for up to 12 months.

Sift and interview dates

Expected timeline, subject to change - 

Sift dates: w/c 12/02/2024

Interview dates: 26/02/2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.

We fully support adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section.

We do not have an exhaustive list of adjustments that we support but just some examples include additional time to complete your application form, behaviour questions up to 72 hours prior to interview and having extra time at interview.

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

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

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

A location based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.

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

Any move to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

DSIT does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home). 

DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

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 

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

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.