About the job

Job summary

DWP helps people lift themselves out of poverty and to stay out of poverty, through work, saving and support. This is a hugely important public service, and our challenge is bigger than ever. As part of Counter Fraud Compliance and Debt Directorate (CFCD) you will be at the heart of DWP’s front line operations, helping to change people lives and supporting the CFCD purpose of fighting fraud in the welfare system.   

CFCD is a great place to work where the leadership team are passionate about attracting the best talent whilst nurturing and valuing new and existing colleagues to be the best they can be. We are looking for people who can demonstrate our values and commitment to leadership which are based around Collaboration, Resilience and Inclusivity. We look for emotionally aware leaders who enable teams to be innovative, adaptable and flexible. We want you to be comfortable challenging the norm and finding daring and dynamic solutions that support our values and enable colleagues to shine in whatever role they do.  

As a People and Culture Lead within the National Delivery and Assurance Service (NDAS), you will be responsible for leading, engaging and inspiring CFCD's People Strategy.

Job description

Key Tasks

• Support the strategic success of CFCD through the design, delivery and implementation of CFCD’s People Strategy.
• Effectively sell and promote the People Strategy/Agenda to a wide and diverse range of colleagues and groups and where appropriate deal with challenging conversations to secure buy in and ownership.
• Evaluate the progress being made towards achieving the aims of the People Strategy to progress evaluation and monitor progress against gaps.
• Management of the senior leader’s office, the monitoring of the business plan, risk management and budget control, the coordination of briefings and team conferences. 
• Undertake any additional tasks commensurate with the grade of the role.
• Must be able to travel, with sufficient notice.

Person specification

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate the following:

Lead/Key Criteria:

• Proven track record of designing, launching implementing and monitoring people strategies at an organisational level using project management skills and techniques. (First Lead Criteria).
• Leadership skills, including facilitation skills and an ability to influence others through behaviour and empathy. (Second Lead Criteria).
• Experience of designing and coordinating national conferences, both virtual via teams and face to face.
• Strong ability to use a range of communication channels and methods to engage and inspire others.
• Strong ability to analyse, interpret and present data for a diverse audience up to senior leaders.
• Production of high-quality reports, performance insight, updates and a range of other communications for a wide range of colleagues up to Senior Leaders as well as collating information for requests received including various briefings.
• Highly competent at delivering confidently to a wide range of colleagues up to senior leadership level.
• Developing and maintaining excellent collaborative relationships and working practices with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders across government (including within HR, Operations, Work and Health Service) to deliver multi-disciplinary projects, achieve mutually beneficial outcomes; promoting inclusive working ensuring a joined up and seamless service for our customers.
• To be able to set up and chair groups of colleagues and matrix managing those individuals to progress commissions. 
• Undertake business support work for the larger team with a proven track record of managing a small team.
• A keen interest in all matters relating to the people agenda including working knowledge of health & wellbeing, diversity, equity & inclusivity, Capability and managing and leading through change.

Other Key Criteria

• Competent in using Microsoft products especially Outlook, MS Teams, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Secretariat support for meetings (planning, coordinating, creation of agendas, taking minutes and creating presentations).
• Proven organisational skills and personal resilience with the ability to balance multiple competing priorities, often under pressure, ensuring that progress continues, and key customers and stakeholders are kept informed.
• Comfortable working as part of a team or on own initiative, with the ability to handle ambiguity and changing priorities. Remaining calm under pressure, displaying resilience and recognising key areas of work that will need urgent attention and reprioritising tasks as required. 

Desirable Skills

• If based in Wales, the ability to speak Welsh is desirable.

Benefits

With great benefits including:   

• • Generous annual leave – 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus bank holidays and one day of leave for the King’s Birthday. The exact number of days of annual leave will be determined by any current years of service.  
  • Competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave we also recognise the importance of a good work-life balance and offer flexible working and a family friendly approach to work.  
  • Training and apprenticeships and up to 5 days’ personal development and learning allowance.  
  • Flexible/hybrid working. 
  • Employee discount schemes.  
  • Free wellbeing support.  
  • Opportunities to make a real difference through joining forums, initiatives and charities.  
  • Interest free travel loans.  
  • Vodafone advantage discount scheme.   
  • Highly sought-after civil service pension - your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package where: 
  • The employer makes a significant contribution to the cost of your pension.  
  • Your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken. This means, if you pay tax, your take-home pay will not be reduced by the full amount of your contribution.
  • Your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire. For more information, visit: civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk 

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. 

Please also see slide 2 in the candidate pack for list of possible locations.    

You will be asked for your preferences for up to three locations, these will tell us where you would prefer to work if you are successful. Please do not select a location unless you are prepared to accept a role in that location. Applicants should apply for suitable posts where they can travel to and from their home office location daily within a reasonable time. 

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.

Please note that successful part time and job share candidates may be required to work full time for specific periods to complete and consolidate training. Hybrid Working will not commence until the training / consolidation period has been successfully completed.

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.

Stage 1 - Application and Sift    

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a Personal Statement in no more than 1250 words detailing the relevant skills and experience you can bring to the role, based on the Key Criteria listed. Please pay particular attention to the lead criteria, if you do not demonstrate this on your application, you will not progress to interview stage. The written evidence you provide must relate to your own experiences.  

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, what have you done that’s relatable 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, 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.    

If you do not have work-based examples then please give examples from school/college, clubs, volunteering or other activities you have been involved in. You don’t have to explain the whole process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used.     

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the two lead criteria, before moving to a full sift. If so, we will sift on:  

• Proven track record of designing, launching implementing and monitoring people strategies at an organisational level using project management skills and techniques. (First Lead Criteria).
• Leadership skills, including facilitation skills and an ability to influence others through behaviour and empathy. (Second Lead Criteria).

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

**Please note the closing date for your full application is 23:55 on 12/03/2024**       

Sift scheduled to be held 15/03/2024 to 22/03/2024. These dates may be subject to change. 

Stage 2 - Interview     

Those who pass the Written Application Sift with the required score will be invited to a blended interview and will receive an electronic notification to their Civil Service Jobs account.     

Please note that interviews will be via video using Microsoft Teams and you will need to use your personal or work device to access the video link. You will receive a link to join the interview at the appointed time through the email account you provide us with on your application.      

Interviews are scheduled to take place between 15.04.2024 to 19.04.2024. Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change. Interviews will be scheduled Monday to Friday, between 09:00 to 17:00.    

Communications will be electronic and/or by telephone therefore it is vitally important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder. Telephone calls may show as a withheld number, it is important that you answer so that your interview can be confirmed.    

Preparing for the Interview  

The interview will take approximately 40 minutes where you will be asked a mixture of Behaviour and Strength based questions. A blended interview aims to be more of a conversation offering a more inclusive approach. The Behaviour and Strength based questioning explores not only what you the candidate can and has done, but also your potential.  

Presentation

You will also be asked to deliver a presentation around the Communicating and Influencing Behaviour. The details of this will be released to those invited to interview.

Behaviours    

You will be assessed against the Civil Service Behaviours listed above at Level 3. To help you prepare and settle into the interview you will be sent the behaviour questions in advance of the interview. These questions should be treated as confidential and should not be shared. The interview panel may ask you other questions which will not be shared in advance, including follow-up questions, and those about your strengths.    

An example of a Behavioural question would be “Tell me about a time when you’ve had to deal with a difficult customer.”    

It may help to use one or more examples of a piece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in and use the WHO or STAR model to explain:        

• WHO - What it was, how you approached the work/situation and what the Outcomes were, what did you achieve? or    
• STAR - What was the Situation? That were the Tasks? What Action did you take?  What were the Results of your actions?    

Strengths    

It is difficult to prepare for strength type questions. However, you can think through your answers, focus on your achievements and aspects you enjoy and decide how these can be applied in the organisation and role.     

While strengths questions are shorter and we do not expect a full STAR response, the panel is interested in your first reaction to the question and information or reasoning to support this.    

If you do not have work-based examples then please give examples from school/college, clubs, volunteering or other activities you have been involved in. 

If you withdraw your application at any stage, it will not be progressed any further.     

Stage 3 – Offer    

Once all interviews have been completed, candidates will be notified of the outcome by email. Offers will be made in strict merit order to the highest scoring candidate first. The successful candidate(s) will be notified of a start date following successful security checks, which is likely to be from April 2024.  

Some need-to-know information.    

It is important that you take time to read the Candidate Pack which can be found at the bottom of this job advert. This provides further information about the role and working in DWP.  

Working Pattern 

Part-time and job-sharing working patterns within working hours will be considered but must meet business needs. We will do our best to let people with existing part time contracts retain their contracted hours provided they are in line with current business needs. Please note that successful part time and job share candidates will be required to work full time for specific periods to complete all training and consolidation.

Further Information  

Find out more about Working for DWP

A reserve list may be held for a period of 3 months from which further appointments can be made and reserve list candidates will be appointed in merit order.  

Please note:    

• If you are offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances*.    
• If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.

*Note - Exceptional circumstances could be when a candidate has requested a contractual Part Time Working Pattern and this pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered, or in cases of serious ill health.   

Candidates should also note that if successful in this campaign, you will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before applying for any other lateral moves within 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 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.  

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.

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

DWP takes development seriously. Our aim is for our colleagues in these roles to be appropriately skilled and qualified – as determined by the business. To support this aim you may be required to undertake a work based qualification, which may be in the form of an apprenticeship, which will support you in further developing your professional knowledge and skills for this role and your future career development. The qualification can be undertaken in work time, you agree to take this job on the basis that you may be required to undertake a work based qualification; a candidate’s failure to participate fully in the professional programme, once appointed, may be a breach of their employment contract. 

Important 

If you hold a level 3 qualification (2 A levels or equivalent) then please bring your certificates with you to the interview if you have them.

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

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.