About the job

Job summary

We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates  

At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.

Equality and Diversity - Department for Education

Skills Group

We bring together elements from teams working on Higher Education and Further Education, and teams from the Education and Skills Funding Agency, to consolidate all post-16 policy and delivery work. We  make it possible for the DfE to take a more coherent and effective approach to meeting employer and labour market needs.

We enable a high quality, outcomes-focused post-16 system that gives learners the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their working lives and meet the needs of the economy.

Ultimately, we aim to ensure that we become a better local and regional partner, creating a place-based approach to post-16 education and skills development by: 

• Providing assurance that funding for the education and training sector are appropriately spent, achieve value for money and delivering the policies and priorities set by the Secretary of State.
• Regulate FE colleges, employers and training providers, academies, intervening where there is risk of failure and/or where there is evidence of mismanagement of public funds.
• Deliver major projects and is responsible for the operation of key services in the education and skills sector.

The Regions and Providers Directorate within the Skills Group of the Department for Education works to enable schools, academies, colleges and independent learning providers to offer high quality education and training to young people and adults in England so that young people and adults can reach their potential, regardless of their background.

 Weekly travel to Coventry will be required for this role.

Job description

You will be part of the DfE’s 16-19 Programmes Development Team, whose responsibilities include the development and implementation of new programmes for 16–19-year-olds and input to the Technical Education policy development work.

The purpose of this role will be to develop and deliver systems and processes to support the roll-out and delivery of new programmes such as T Levels. This is a fast paced role, and we often work to tight deadlines, so we will require candidates to be adaptable and resilient team players who can work across multiple work strands.

The role holder will support the development, implementation and maintenance of systems and processes to:

• Register, validate and monitor providers delivering T Levels and collect information so that we always know who is delivering which T Levels, when, and where and can report effectively to ministers.
• Fit with the wider business delivery requirements for T Levels, Industry Placement Capacity and Delivery Fund and other new programmes.
• Work with digital and data solutions teams on the development of digital data collection forms and Power BI reporting tools.
• Source, collate, integrate and organise data from a wide range of internal sources, ensuring the integrity, security and accuracy of data.
• Support the secure and timely sharing of information with policy teams and key stakeholders to inform T Level delivery reporting, policy decision-making, policy and implementation planning and the allocation of funding.
• Support the development and issue of high-quality guidance and communications that will ensure clarity for learning providers and drive up compliance with our data collections.
• Contribute to the regular review of processes to ensure continuous improvement.
• Communicate effectively with internal colleagues and wider stakeholders on T Level delivery.
• Undertake other linked T Level process work as required.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate they have the following essential skills:

• Experience of using Excel, with the ability to become familiar quickly with different datasets and create datasets.
• Good attention to detail, with a focus on producing high-quality work.
• Good communication and teamworking skills.
• Strong organisational skills and IT skills, and the ability to manage a demanding workload, meeting deadlines and work on your own initiative.

We will expect candidates to demonstrate these skills in their application.

In addition, the following are desirable requirements:

• Power BI reporting experience.
• Experience of using Microsoft forms.
• An understanding of the wider policy landscape for 16-19 education and technical reforms.

Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.

Benefits

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK , with an average employer contribution of 27%.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King's Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours. Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered

As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.

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.

Application 

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and Statement of Suitability. 

Your CV should cover details of education and training and professional qualifications, employment history, as well as giving details of relevant skills and experience.

Your Statement of Suitability (maximum 1000 words) should include details of how you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the person specification above including examples of evidence. Please adhere to the word count limit as anything over 1000 words will not be taken into account. 

You will be required to provide a 250 word example, demonstrating how you meet the behaviours Managing a Quality Service, Changing and Improving and Communicating and Influencing. 

An initial sift to interview stage will be based on your experience through your CV, personal statement and the lead behaviour Managing a Quality Service. 

In the event of a large number of applications, we will sift on Managing a Quality Service only. 

Interview

Candidates that successfully pass the sift will be invited to interview.

At interview you will be asked questions to assess your experience in line with the essential criteria listed above.

You will also be asked questions around the behaviours below:

• Managing a quality service
• Changing and improving
• Communicating and influencing

We will also ask you some strength based questions. 

Other Information

We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.

The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.   

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

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe 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 circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.

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.

Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs

Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.

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 Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk 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.

Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming 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/

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.