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 

These posts sits within the Higher Education Quality, Regulation and Freedom of Speech Division, a key division for delivering the manifesto commitment to improve quality in higher education.

The roles themselves, sit formally in the Office for Students (OfS) sponsorship and Freedom of Speech team, where the majority of the work of the post-holder  will also sit.

The postholder will play an important role in working with the OfS, the independent higher education regulator for England, to deliver the Government’s strategic priorities for higher education.  

This is a fast-paced environment where you will work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to deliver Ministerial priorities for higher education.

Alongside the work in the OfS sponsorship team, there will be an opportunity for the post holder to work with other teams across the division, offering a varied and interesting workload, and enabling them to get a range of experience. This will include policy development, stakeholder support, legislation, and public appointments.

We are a high performing and motivated division, with a strong focus on people and wellbeing. Our work attracts significant sector and Ministerial interest, and as such the nature of our work requires flexibility and adaptability.

Undertaking this role will provide the postholder with the chance to develop a wide variety of transferable skills, and work with a range of policy teams across the division and the Higher Education oversight and Skills Journey Directorates.

Job description

We are seeking a self-starting individual with strong organisational and collaboration skills who can quickly build strong professional relationships with internal stakeholders and the OfS alike, combining a strong ability to manage competing demands with an ability to understand technical detail and with attention to detail.  

You will also need excellent judgement and delivery skills, as well as accomplished communication and stakeholder engagement skills.  

The postholder will be part of a small friendly team of 5 team members based in Sheffield and London. The post holder will report to a G7 lead, matrix working to one or more G7s as required.  

The postholder will be responsible for: 

• Contributing to supporting the team in ensuring effective management of the Department’s day-to-day relationship with the OfS, this will include leading on coordinating and drafting high-quality briefing, scrutinising OfS publications, providing secretariat for various internal and external meetings, and working collaboratively with a number of prominent stakeholders in supporting Ministerial priorities for higher education.
• Working closely with the Department’s public appointments team and team colleagues to successfully deliver high-profile OfS Board appointments, in particular leading on the administration and planning of the team's activity around completion of documentation to progress these appointments exercises to a high standard. This will include creating timelines to enable effective planning of the process, setting up dedicated folders, drafting job specifications, sift and interview guides and ministerial submissions, providing secretariat for sift exercises and interviews, conducting due diligence of candidates, and ensuring all deadlines for ministerial/SCS/SpAD/Cabinet Office/No.10 approvals are met.
• Supporting the implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act as needed. Work could include preparing products to accompany the laying of several statutory instruments such as the explanatory memorandum. parliamentary handling plans and engagement strategies and working with ministerial private offices to arrange and support that engagement with the sector and Parliament.
• Effectively supporting the team in ensuring alignment between DfE and OfS’s strategic priorities and to monitor progress against these priorities and provide assurance on OfS governance and risk management, use of public money and performance etc.
• Leading on department of state activities including contributing to and preparing high quality briefings, and responses to correspondence and media enquiries relating to the OfS.
• Contributing to supporting the laying of statutory instruments relating to any fee changes to the Office for Students.

In addition you will need to respond flexibly to the needs of the team throughout the year by: 

• Covering other areas of work where necessary and reacting to pressures in other areas of the team as and when they arise. 
• Working closely with all colleagues on team, sharing information and best practice.
• Managing own time effectively to be able to react quickly to pressures. 

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Strong organisational skills with attention to detail, with the ability to effectively plan, monitor progress against milestones, and act promptly to reassess workload and priorities when there are conflicting demands, to ensure outcomes are achieved on time and to a high quality.
• A track record of building and supporting positive working relationships at all levels, being confident in managing relationships with a range of individuals from both internal and external organisations.
• Excellent all-round communication skills with the ability to produce well-structured and clearly articulated documents drawing from multiple sources of evidence.
• An ability to engage credibly at senior levels internally and externally, advising on complex issues and challenging and collaborating as required, in an area that often attracts parliamentary and press interest.
• A strong grasp of the bigger picture, understanding wider departmental and cross-Whitehall priorities, as well as an ability to grasp technical detail and identify dependencies. 

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, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK, with an average employer contribution of 27%.

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 Strengths and Experience.

Application 

Candidates should submit an anonymised CV, which includes sufficient information for the reader to understand the roles and responsibilities the candidate had in each position. 

Candidates should also submit an anonymised personal statement of no more than 750 words, which outlines how they have demonstrated the essential criteria described above and why they are suitable for the role. 

Sift

The CV and statement will be assessed against the essential criteria detailed in the advert.

Interview

The interview will be held either in person or Microsoft Teams. At the interview stage, candidates will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in this advert, using Success Profile Strengths and Experience questions.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

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.