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

This post sits with the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) team in the DfE Capital Directorate.

Offsite manufacturing and construction is a progressive alternative to traditional build for the delivery of schools and this is a great opportunity to be a part of driving forward this innovative agenda.

The Government has mandated a presumption in favour of offsite construction where this represents value for money.

The DfE Offsite Schools Framework (commonly known as MMC1), has a £3bn capital ceiling for the delivery of new build schools, constructed wholly off-site, (where it represents value for money) and complements the DfE’s other construction frameworks.

In order to maintain the strategy, process and integrity and methodology of MMC1, DfE operates a small Framework Management Team. Although small we have a wealth of experience in this arena, making these greatly rewarding opportunities for the right high calibre individuals, who are well organised, flexible, with a strong commercial understanding and able to work to tight deadlines, with experience of implementing change.

Capital Directorate – within the Department for Education (DfE) is a dynamic environment, delivering multi-billion-pound construction programmes, with involvement in the wider Government industrial strategy to transform the UK construction sector; and undertaking over 1000 land transactions and consents annually.

We are one of the largest public sector clients in England.  We are looking to recruit Deputy Framework Manager with Business Analysis functions to support the MMC Framework Team.

The MMC Framework team together with the Construction Framework Team, is part of the Capital Commercial Division and has responsibility for the ongoing management of schemes procured under the previous Mod ABC Frameworks and the management of the current Offsite School Framework and the provision of Temporary Accommodation.

The Framework Teams work to ensure that the integrity, availability, and effectiveness of the Frameworks are maintained.

Job description

We are looking for an experienced business analyst to be responsible for leading delivery of high-quality analysis and creating opportunities to bring data science and other innovative techniques.

The role will report directly to the MMC Framework Manager.

The successful candidate duties will be, but not limited to, providing support for day to day operations against the provisions and application of the DfE Construction Framework agreements and will support/manage the interface between Framework Users (and their advisors), Technical Advisers, Framework Contractors, and the wider Supply Chain.

The successful candidate will provide support to the Framework Manager leading on contractor performance and key performance data/analysis.

The successful candidate will draw upon your expertise of analytical methods and wider knowledge of data science techniques, to ensure analysis is high quality and credible.  The Business Analyst in this role will have a track record of delivering robust quantitative analysis and have experience leading on both longer-term and more responsive analytical projects to inform decision making and approaches.

Person specification

Responsibilities

The following responsibilities (not exhaustive) are relevant to the role:

• Organising and delivering, with a Deputy Framework Manager, internal and external training sessions;
• Advising colleagues and framework contractors on the framework processes and documents;
• Collecting and analysing performance data for the frameworks and the programmes;
• Engaging with Project Directors and Project Managers to deliver key messages and intervene on specific project matters where necessary;
• Managing the pipeline of future projects;
• Working with project delivery colleagues to support their effective use of the framework and inform improvements;
• Tracking and managing contractor performance via the framework key performance indicators for reporting and discussion with contractors
• Support to the wider MMC team in ensuring the frameworks deliver innovation, true off-site construction, quality, and benefits

Essential Criteria

• Ability to manage relationships with people (at all levels) in relation to contractual compliance
• Experience of supporting in a multi workstream environment and the ability to report concisely and accurately to all levels of seniority
• Excellent planning and organisational ability
• Excellent communication skills, written, oral and presentation
• Proficient in the use of computers and systems, Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Power Bi)
• Have a track record of managing data projects effectively, prioritising the most impactful analysis and delivering outputs independently, through others and at pace.
• Have the ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders and colleagues, both policy and analytical
• A pro-active and resourceful self-starter with the ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision

Desirable skills

• Knowledge of off-site construction market
• Experience of standardisation and ability to support in developing offsite solutions in partnership with the market and internally
• It would be desirable if you have experience working with construction data, but this can be developed in post and training can be provided
• Be an existing badged member of the Government Statistical Group (GSG) the Government Operational Research Service (GORS) and/or GSS.
• A project Management qualification or equivalent (RICS, CIPS or CIOB)

Desirable criteria will only be looked at in the event of a tie 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 (with an average employer contribution of 27%), which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.

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 and Experience.

Application

In your application, we’ll ask you to provide a CV and Statement of Suitability (1250 max), demonstrating how you meet the requirements set out in the Person Specification section (responsibilities and essential criteria). The CV and statement will be assessed against the role responsibilities and the essential criteria.

Interview

At the interview stage, you will be asked questions relating to your experience against the requirements set out in the responsibilities and the essential criteria. We will also ask you a number of questions based on the following behaviours:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions

If successful at selection stage, you will be invited to interview where you can reserve your date and time slot.

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.