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

The Matrix Programme is a transformation initiative involving 9 Departments (listed at end). It 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.

The Programme is part of the Shared Services Team, a fantastic team passionate about improving the existing shared services experience for DSIT and its partners whilst working to deliver the strategic objectives of the new Government Shared Services Strategy!

We 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 - support interoperability, making it easier to understand and compare corporate data. 

Departments forming the Matrix Programme: Cabinet Office (CO), Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS), Department for Business Trade (DBT), Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Department for Education (DfE), Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), Attorney’s General Office (AGO) and His Majesty's Treasury (HMT).

Person specification

We are looking for an experienced Service Designer or Business Architect to join the Matrix Service implementation team to coordinate design of the new Target Operating Model for the Matrix Shared Service, enabling the best shared service in government, for government. This is an exciting opportunity to work across nine departments with a wide range of stakeholders, consultants and technical specialists to implement user centred business services for HR, Finance, Payroll and Procurement.

You will lead the Matrix Service Design Team comprised of both consultants and civil servants who will develop, and act as the custodians of, the Matrix Service Target Operating Model. The objectives of the TOM are to:

leverage technology to rapidly optimise our processes through a Shared Service blueprint that works for all across government,
Build capability to continuously innovate and create value as a strategic partner to our customer departments,
Deliver value for money to the taxpayer through an efficient and user centred service provision.
Ensure the component parts of the service lock together to deliver an efficient, user centred design that enables the Service Transformation objectives
Articulate how the service will be delivered at each phase of the programme
Inform the Programme Business Case v3
Inform the transformation, capability and transition plans

Key responsibilities include:

Establish a vision and delivery objectives for the service design team in partnership with the Head of Functional Design to deliver the outcomes articulated in the Matrix Business Case and Service Transformation Strategy. 
Establish clear ways of working to enable efficient collaboration, promoting a team culture that values diversity, excellence and partnership with our delivery partners and service provider. This includes gathering industry expertise to inform decision making, distil into concise plans and develop scope of works for relevant suppliers to deliver agreed outcomes.
Develop and manage the approach to gathering end user, service provider and client feedback to inform design including management of both internal and external stakeholders. Coordinate the team to provide service expertise during detailed design with the System Integrator and make clear recommendations to ensure escalated design decisions are informed and considerate of the desired service outcomes.
Collaborate with the Functional Design, Change and Engagement teams to confidently bring to life the new Target Operating Model to gain approvals through established governance vehicles and inform change plans both within departments and our Service Provider.
Understand the bigger picture and collaborate with other workstream leads to advocate for the team, ensure plans lock into the wider team and Integrated programme plan, and dependencies, risks, issues and assumptions are identified, understood and escalated where necessary.

Skills and Experience 

Essential: 

• A track record of successfully designing and implementing new or improved operating models within a service setting.
• It is essential that the successful candidate has experience of working within complex and large-scale transformation programmes.
• The ability to distil complex information or multiple ideas/methodologies into one clear direction for the team.
• Experience partnering with and managing external suppliers and consultants to deliver outcomes.
• Proven experience in influencing, changing and impacting critical decisions with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in engaging, motivating, and mentoring colleagues, acting as a role model to inspire and empower others.

Desirable:

• Shared Service, HR or Finance Service experience

Desirable Qualifications:

• Business Analysis/Process design qualification e.g. LEAN, SixSigma
  Certified Business Architect or equivalent.
• Project management qualification e.g. APMQ Practitioner, Prince2 Practitioner, MoR Practitioner, MSP Practitioner.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £64,660, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £17,458 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.

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

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead behaviour Seeing The Big Picture.

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 and strength based questions.

Interviewees will be asked to deliver a presentation; further detailes will be provided nearer the time.

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

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 18/03/2024

Interview dates: 25/03/2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

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

Further Information

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.

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.