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.

This role is in the NHS Pensions team within the Industrial Relations Directorate. It’s a great place to work, with supportive and high performing colleagues.

The NHS Pension Scheme is one of the largest pension schemes in the country, with a membership of 1.6 million people. It is a valuable part of the reward package for NHS staff. The Department sets rules and policies to ensure the NHS Pension Scheme is sustainable financially, and supports NHS employers to attract and retain their staff.

Job description

NHS pensions policy is a technical and high-profile area. You will contribute to delivering statutory activities relating to the pension scheme, have a portfolio of policy topics in which you will be a subject matter expert and support the development of evidence-based policy, drawing on data and behavioural insights.

You will work with colleagues across government and NHS system partners, representing the Department with stakeholders and working at pace to advise ministers and senior officials. In doing so you will collaborate with lawyers, actuaries and analysts to develop detailed policy options and help run consultations on statutory instruments to deliver changes in scheme rules and legislation.

Person specification

You will have responsibility for:

Leading on discrete areas of scheme policy, providing technical advice for the scheme administrator and other stakeholders on the effect of scheme rules and representing departmental interests as required on:

• External money purchase Additional Voluntary Contribution providers
• Final Pay Controls
• Injury Benefit Scheme and Injury Allowance provisions
• Coronavirus Life Assurance Scheme

Leading the research and production of data packs to develop insights into member behaviours and trends:

• working with DHSC and BSA analysts to collate scheme and payroll data
• production of reports on pension outcomes for membership groups and behavioural insights
• working with policy leads to build data-driven evidence bases for policy development and evaluation.

Providing policy support to different areas of the team to assist large pieces of policy work as required:

• research information to support policy development work, as directed, from a range of internal and external sources
• arrange publication of policy consultations and analysis of responses

Taking forward Coronavirus Life Assurance Scheme casework:

• Working with the scheme administrator to ensure relevant cases are presented for departmental consideration
• preparation of ministerial submissions presenting novel or appeal cases for decision

Providing an efficient service to Ministers in arranging for Pension Board and Scheme Advisory Board appointments and publication of documents:

• liaising with secretariats on board memberships, tracking tenures and securing ministerial approval for candidate members in a timely manner to ensure quoracy
• working with the departmental public appointments team to organise and oversee a process to appoint the Pension Board chair
• reviewing Pension Board minutes and arranging prompt publication

Leading the production of Pay Review Body evidence relating to pensions and total reward.

Maintaining a clear overview of scheme finances, working with the scheme administrator to feed into budget processes as required:

• preparation of scheme cashflow reports for HM Treasury
• commissioning forecasts of expected departmental spending on Injury Benefit and historic pension liabilities

Preparing clear, concise, factually accurate briefings and support for Ministers and senior officials as necessary.

Producing initial draft responses to parliamentary, public and ministerial correspondence on a range of policy issues across the team, working with senior colleagues where required.

Our team works together to help each other, so this is not an exhaustive list and you may be asked to undertake other activities commensurate with a HEO grade.

Key skills and experience required for the role

We are looking for someone who can:

• effectively plan, organise and manage their time to deliver a high quality and efficient service
• deliver at pace and under pressure, using prioritisation skills in adapting to changing requirements
• take ownership and become a subject matter expert for technical policy topics
• work collaboratively, build relationships and coordinate activities across a range of partners and stakeholders
• provide concise, clear advice to Ministers and senior officials on complex issues both orally and in writing
• interpret data and draw information from a range of sources, presenting insights in easy to understand ways

Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace.  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. 

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 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.

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 13/05/2024

Interview date: expected W/C 27/05/2024

Interview location: By video. Further details will be released to candidates who are successful at sift. 

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

Applications will be sifted on CV, Behaviours, and Online Tests.

Please use your CV to set out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role. These can be found in the ‘key skills and experience required for the role’ section of the advert.  

Candidates will be required to complete a Numerical Reasoning Test as part of the online application, this will follow immediately after the initial short application form is submitted. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the full application. Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended) to give yourself enough time to complete your full application. The closing date for the tests and for submitting your full application is 12/05/2024. 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. 

An initial sift based on your Lead Behaviour, Making Effective Decisions 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 

Applicants who are appointable but were not successful in appointment to this vacancy, may be held on a reserve list for up to 12 months, and contacted if similar vacancies become available. 

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

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. 

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.

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 either level transfer or 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.