About the job

Job summary

In DHSC, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you’d like to work in, we’d love to hear from you.

The International directorate sits within the Global and Public Health Group and works to strengthen global health systems and partnerships to improve global health outcomes. Our vision is to keep people’s health safe at home and overseas by building strong relationships with our national and international partners. The directorate:

1. Leads on DHSC’s engagement with multilateral organisations such as the World Health Organisation, the G7, and the UN General Assembly.
2. Leads the UK’s government engagement on global health issues, including bilateral engagement with other countries.
3. Shapes the overarching strategic narrative on global health that supports the coordination of international activity across government.
4. Delivers life-saving interventions via its Official Development Assistance (ODA) programmes tackling anti-microbial resistance and improving global health security.

This role sits within the Multilateral team in the directorate. The Multilateral team leads the UK’s representation at, and DHSC’s engagement with, the World Health Organisation and the health remits of other organisations and groups including the G7, G20, Commonwealth, Human Rights Council, UN General Assembly, and the World Economic Forum. The team works closely with colleagues across the directorate and with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to deliver our global health priorities.

You will be joining the team at a time when the UK and other WHO Member States are working to conclude a once in a generation multilateral negotiation to agree a new Pandemic Accord. This a new piece of international law being developed at the World Health Organization to improve global cooperation and accountability to prevent, prepare for and respond to pandemic threats.

DHSC is committed to being an inclusive employer which values and celebrates diversity. We encourage applications from candidates of all educational, professional and social backgrounds and of all genders, ethnicities and sexual orientations as well as disabled backgrounds, as it is important that our workforce and policies reflect the society, we live in.

Job description

Working in a joint DHSC - FCDO negotiating team, you will work closely with policy officials, lawyers and diplomats to drive cross-cutting policy development. You will be responsible for making sure that the UK has clear negotiating positions that deliver on Ministers' priorities, and support Ministers to provide updates on negotiations and respond to public and parliamentary requests.

You will work across a range of global health priorities and policies. Building and maintaining close and effective working relationships within and outside of the UK Civil Service will be essential. You will have exposure to Ministers and senior leaders, delivering quality briefings and providing advice ahead of negotiations. You will also provide live advice to negotiators during meetings, to respond to the positions of other countries. 

The primary responsibility for this role will be to ensure that the UK is prepared for international negotiations. This will include:

- Co-ordinating senior policy advisors across DHSC, FCDO and other government departments at pace, to ensure that the UK has clear positions on the negotiating text and is prepared to respond to other countries' positions.

- Leading policy development on complex issues to inform UK negotiating positions, advising Ministers and senior officials accordingly and providing advice to negotiators during live negotiations. This will require sound judgement on domestic and international considerations.

- Building strong, effective relationships with senior policy advisors, lawyers, the Devolved Administrations and the Crown Dependencies.

You may also be required to work flexibility across the team to support other multilateral priorities.

There will be opportunities for you to task manage others, for example providing support to the team's Executive Officer (EO) to develop high quality correspondence and responses to Parliamentary Questions and Freedom of Information requests.

Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds.  Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration and enhancing team working, learning, and support. 

You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. 

Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need. There may be opportunities for international travel. Please note that some evening and weekend working may be required to accommodate international negotiations/timetables.

There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme 2023-2024. Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements. 

Person specification

Key Skills and Experience Required:

- Experience of working through complex issues to find effective solutions.
- Ability to quickly establish strong working relationships between internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills and experience in managing multiple priorities with similar deadlines. 
- Ability to work calmly under pressure and respond to changing demands and priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt your communication style to different audiences.
- Experience and interest in global health and/or international relations.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,188, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £8,690 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.

Sift date: W/C 29/07/2024

Interview date: expected W/C 12/08/2024

Interview location: By Video

Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

The available interview slots will be released with the sift scores. 

Applications will be sifted on Online Tests, Behaviours, and Statement of Suitability. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete the Civil Service Judgement Test.

If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application. Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 28/07/2024. If you fail to complete the online test and submit your full application before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

Please use your statement of suitability to (in no more than 500 words) outline how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role as set out in the job advert. 

An initial sift based on the Statement of Suitability, may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours and Strengths.

To find out more about working in the department please visit our page on the Civil Service Careers Website here 

Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. 

Please note that applicants will require BPSS clearance.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to DHSC 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.

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 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. 

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.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

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 Government Recruitment Service via dhscrecruitment.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.

This role is being advertised on a permanent basis. If preferable, Loan or Secondment options will also be available for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited NDPBs or any other employer (Secondment). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Terms and Conditions

Candidates should note that DHSC’s Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful. 

New Entrants to the Civil Service

New entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions:

• Annual Leave: 25 days on entry rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff
• Privilege Leave: 1 day - for the King’s birthday
• Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
• Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): one month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months’ full pay and five months’ half pay
• Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allow staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
• Probation: 6 month probation period

Existing Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotion

All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above). 

Existing DHSC staff, appointed on promotion

If DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSC’s pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).

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.