About the job

Job summary

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is the UK’s biggest public service department, leading the development of policy and delivering essential services on welfare, pensions, and child maintenance.

What we do matters: we change the futures of millions of people in the UK by getting people into sustainable work, by supporting people with disabilities and ill-health to live independently, by ensuring pensioners have a reasonable income in retirement and by encouraging separated parents to work together to make family-based financial arrangements for their children’s welfare and security.

We are continuing to transform the Department and introducing once-in-a-generation reforms to the welfare state including the introduction of the new State Pension, embedding major reforms to the Child Maintenance system, and embedding the flagship new benefit for working age customers – Universal Credit.

This role is an exciting position within Capability, Learning and Talent Directorate. The Departmental Central Learning Team has responsibility for governance and compliance for the procurement of learning and development across DWP as a category spend. As the governance and compliance lead for learning and development you will need to build expertise in the learning and development landscape, acquire budget management understanding, work with suppliers and stakeholders internally and externally, and attain knowledge and understanding of procurement policies and processes. You will be able to navigate complex policies and legislation in line with Cabinet Office led spend controls ensuring DWP remains compliant. You will introduce measures to mitigate any risk of reputational damage.

Your expertise in managing multiple strands of work, combined with your strong communication and stakeholder management skills will help you provide clarity and drive progress against the organisation's priorities.

This is a unique opportunity to join a forward-thinking, inclusive organisation and make a tangible impact on the way the DWP delivers its strategic objectives.

There is an expectation of occasional national travel and overnight stays.

Job description

The successful candidate will manage commercial activity within the category spend for learning and development and maintain a portfolio of priorities and working relationships.

The role and responsibilities for this position include, but are not restricted to:

• Co-manage the learning and development category spend within DWP, demonstrating strong leadership qualities and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Provide guidance and advice to stakeholders at various levels across the organisation, showcasing effective communication and influencing skills.
• Establishing and maintaining a governance and compliancy function in DWP with all business areas and provide assurance to senior leaders.
• Maintain robust and accurate records of learning and development requirements and permissions suitable for Audit Office review, to achieve a positive outcome in relation to our governance and compliance processes.
• Utilise procurement knowledge and obtain information to make informed decisions, optimising value for the stakeholder and maintaining DWP’s reputation.
• Establish and nurture relationships with the Government Skills and Curriculum Unit (GSCU) at the Cabinet Office to maintain effective collaboration and involvement with central activities.
• Making effective, evidence-based decisions and influence stakeholders to drive positive outcomes with the procurement of learning and development.
• Continuously strengthen your understanding of commercial policies and their application in a government context and being familiar with the government procurement processes and regulations.
• Lead the development and execution of strategic initiatives for the learning and development category spend, and help design, deliver, and maintain a DWP Learning and Development Policy for DWP.
• Navigate complex situations to find resolutions which align with governance but using risk-based analysis to support business needs and its commitments to deliver its services.

Person specification

Key Criteria

• Quality Service: You evidence your experience in developing, implementing, maintaining, and reviewing systems and services. You have a proven track record of collaborative stakeholder engagement, setting priorities, and achieving high-quality outcomes. You are skilful in identifying and effectively resolving risks and issues. You promote inclusive collaboration for continuous improvement and establishes effective customer feedback.(Lead Criteria).
• Communication Skills: You evidence how you communicate information in a straightforward, honest, and engaging manner. You choose appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact to a range of audiences and ensure important messages are understood. You respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others. You are proficient in the use of Microsoft Office including Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Excel, and Outlook.
• Looking at the Big Picture: You evidence how you show understanding of the context of work in your area and how activities align with the strategic drivers of the organisation. You demonstrate engagement and understanding of developing issues and trends which impact your work. You seek out and share experiences to develop knowledge of the team’s business area.
• Decision Making Skills: You evidence how you have experience in evidence-based decision-making following analysis of a wide range of relevant and credible information, and consulting others where appropriate to ensure impact on the wider business is considered. You deliver strong recommendations which provide potential options, risks, and benefits in a timely manner.

Desirable Criteria

• Commercial experience or a willingness to engage with a range of learning and training resources to work towards an expert level.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Generous holiday allowance of 23 or 25 days for new starters dependent on grade based on full-time work pattern, which increases to 30 days over time, in addition to public/bank holidays.
• Flexible working options, including full-time, part-time, job share, flexi-time and hybrid working for some roles.

A range of family friendly policies such as generous maternity, adoption or shared parental leave.

Location

Applicants should apply for suitable posts where they can travel to and from their home office location daily within a reasonable time.   

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Relocation costs will not be reimbursed. 

Hybrid Working

This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home.  This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

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 personal statement (1250 words maximum). Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

When completing your personal statement, please read and understand the Key Criteria thoroughly as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against. Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. You may choose to address each criteria separately, however, one narrative example may cover and evidence several key criteria.

You may not be able to meet all the key criteria, but please ensure you evidence: the key personal requirements and what have you done that relates to the requirements. You don’t have to explain the whole process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used. Share with us what makes you suited to this role and why, what you can do and the skills you have that are transferable to the key requirements, and the life experience or passion you have that are linked to this role.

The CV is an on-line tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobsite and there is no requirement to upload your personal CV. Our CV element is short, and allows an initial check of eligibility, so please put the main content of your evidence and skills in your Personal Statement.

Sift

The written sift will be conducted using evidence from your Personal Statement and will be assessed against the Key Criteria within the advert.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Lead Criteria:

• Quality Service: You evidence your experience in developing, implementing, maintaining, and reviewing systems and services. You have a proven track record of collaborative stakeholder engagement, setting priorities, and achieving high-quality outcomes. You are skilful in identifying and effectively resolving risks and issues. You promote inclusive collaboration for continuous improvement and establishes effective customer feedback (Lead Criteria).

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

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Interview

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview. This will be a video interview. The interview panel will be a minimum of two people. The interview will assess Behaviours and Strengths. The interview aims to be more of a conversation exploring the candidate’s capability for the role.

To help you prepare and settle into the interview you will be sent the behaviour questions 5 days prior to your interview. These questions should be treated as confidential. The interview panel may ask you other questions which will not be shared in advance, including follow up questions, and those about your strengths.
Candidates will be asked further probing questions to determine suitability for the role.

Further Information

Find out more about Working for DWP

Any move to DWP 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.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.

Reasonable Adjustment

At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:Contact Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” 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. 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.