About the job

Job summary

UK Security Vetting have an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR and Performance Lead. You will be part of a small dynamic team who will work together to further build professional capability essential to the continuous development of our people and our service.

As HR and Performance Lead you will drive continuous improvement of HR functions and processes implementing and maintaining performance management strategies. You will help drive the performance of UKSV through effective people performance management strategies, providing advice and guidance to senior managers.  

Job description

Duties will include but not be limited to: 

• Maintaining strong employee relations focusing on delivering people practices which develop positive working relationships, working closely with unions, UKSV Culture team colleagues and employee representatives.
• Support and oversee the assessment of organisational HR needs, identifying opportunities for improvement, and developing strategies to enhance overall effectiveness in collaboration with the key stakeholders. 
• Drive the people strategy execution by monitoring progress, tracking performance, and communicating updates to the Senior Leadership Team. 
• Providing advice and guidance to senior managers on HR related strategies, plans and challenges including productivity and team performance.
• Drive a change management strategy to meet overall People Programme aims, supporting the delivery of the People aspects on the UKSV strategy  and future development plans.
• Act as a change champion driving and supporting organisational change initiatives, ensuring effective communication and the adoption of new HR practices or strategies.
• Provision of management tools, advice and guidance that support the effective assessment, measurement and management of performance.
• Working with Cabinet Office and wider Government People Group colleagues to create a seamless and consistent employee experience. Work cross-functionally to identify key risks / bottlenecks and propose resolutions.

Person specification

As HR & Performance Lead within UK Security Vetting, we are looking for people who have the following expertise and attributes:

Essential Criteria 

• Confident and able to challenge discussions on strategic issues that relate to the people side of the organisation to improve strategic alignment.
• Ability to work confidently and competently with experience in communicating to and influencing senior leaders and shareholders. 
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage team performance and continuous improvement and establish strong cross-functional relationships.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experienced in supporting line managers through change.
• Self-motivated and able to work under own autonomy or as part of a team.
• Ability to analyse and understand data and apply analytics to business delivery.
• A strong background in supporting line managers with people management and development issues.
• Ability to operate in a fast moving organisation.

Desirable Criteria 

• CIPD membership or willingness to work towards this.
• Experience of HR consultancy work or other service delivery based on a Customer Relationship Model. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,850, Cabinet Office contributes £11,029 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 750 word personal statement as well as two 250 word behaviour statements. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

At the sift stage you will be assessed on the Behaviours and Experience elements of the Success Profiles.

You will be asked to provide a 250-word statement on the Behaviours, Changing and Improving and Leadership.

To assess experience you will be asked to provide a 750- word Personal Statement and a name-blind (anonymous) CV.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead Behaviour, Changing and Improving, and 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 blended interview you will be assessed against your experience and behaviours elements of the Success Profiles. 

The Behaviours being assessed are:

• Changing and Improving (Lead behaviour)
• Leadership 
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together.

A presentation will also be part of the interview, the details of which will be provided to those successful at shortlisting.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – w/c 18/12/2023
Expected interview date/s – w/c 08/01/2024
Interview location - Google Meets Video Conferencing

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

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

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 or 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.

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

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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

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.