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.

You would be joining the improvement support team in the Drugs Misuse Data and Improvement Support Division in the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID). OHID launched on 1 October 2021 with the aim of tackling health inequalities across the country. As part of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), OHID brings together expert advice, analysis and evidence with policy development and implementation working with the whole of government, the NHS, local government, industry and wider partners to shape and drive health improvement and equalities priorities for government.

This role is situated in the Drugs Data and Delivery Division, in OHID's Health Improvement Directorate and is part of a team of topic experts supporting improvements in drug and alcohol treatment and recovery systems.   

The drug and alcohol improvement support team are responsible working with a range of stakeholders including local authority commissioning teams, drug and alcohol treatment and recovery providers, and associated systems including criminal justice, mental and physical health, and housing. We provide support to improve access and quality in treatment and recovery provision so that people with drug and alcohol needs are better met and their outcomes are better.

Job description

You will be part of a team of seven people, reporting to the Head of the Drug and Alcohol Improvement Support team. The team provides support to the system where needed. You will be supporting local areas with a focus on the interventions and pathways that will increase the access and quality of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery and to reduce harm and premature deaths. We are particularly seeking topic-based expertise to ensure the maximum impact of the funding being distributed to local areas via section 31 grants.

Candidates with transferable skills and experience of influencing complex agendas in a related field – alcohol, mental health, or criminal justice, for example – would also be welcome to apply.

Working closely with OHID regional health improvement teams, you will provide the system with additional high quality implementation support, including advice on the evidence base, sharing of best practice, and feedback on enablers and barriers to the wider national team to help future policy development. Working with regional OHID teams you will be expected to forge strong relationships with external stakeholders to support programme objectives and embed programme considerations into wider strategic work to enhance and support sustainability of outcomes.

You will be expected to work with officials across government departments, local authorities, treatment service providers and others delivering support for people with drug and alcohol problems. You will also provide more general system support in partnership with regional OHID teams, including for regional commissioning arrangements and other whole treatment system improvement work in response to the recommendations of Dame Carol Black’s independent review of drugs and government policy.

The role will include:

• Working strategically at a national level under the direction of the Head of Drug and Alcohol Improvement Support Team with other national bodies, government departments and key stakeholders to contribute to and implement the national programme,
• Working closely with OHID regions – including by travelling to provide in person support for collaboration between partners to improve the quality of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery systems,
• Overseeing improvement of the drug and alcohol treatment and recovery system, including supporting setting policy direction and project planning, and ensuring national and organisational level agreement and buy in,
• Providing specialist advice within OHID and DHSC as required,
• Supporting strategic discussions with partners in relation to the achievement of drug and alcohol related public health outcomes,
• Contribute to the ongoing development and implementation of the government's drug and alcohol treatment and recovery programme,
• Lead specific work streams within the drug and alcohol treatment and recovery programme ensuring effective arrangements are in place for good governance, risk management and monitoring,
• Lead on the development of best practice guidance documents,
• Provide, as necessary, expert advice and support to OHID, DHSC, senior officials and Other government departments (OGDs) on drug and alcohol-related issues within the post-holder’s area of expertise,
• Supporting the organisational development of OHID, fostering a culture of high-quality service delivery, reflection, learning and evidence-based practice,
• Supporting strategic discussions with partners to support action for the achievement of public health outcomes.

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds.  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. 

You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. 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.

Person specification

Key Skills and Experience Required:

Essential:

• Extensive experience and knowledge of specialist areas, i.e. drug and alcohol treatment and recovery pathways and provision, the evidence base, and programme implementation support,
• Understanding of current drug and alcohol policy and the implications of this on engagement,
• Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups,
• Ability to negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change,
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands,
• Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly,
• Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others,
• Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales,
• Experience of researching best practice (globally, private and public sector), interpreting its relevance and processes/practices which could be implemented successfully to achieve system reform (advising on policy implementation),
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems.

Desirable

Candidates will have experience in commissioning, provision or providing implementation support for these kinds of service.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £53,116, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £14,341 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, Ability and Experience.

Sift date: W/C 29/07/2024

Interview date: expected W/C 12/08/2024

Interview location: By Video

Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

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

Applications will be sifted on Online Tests, CV, and Statement of Suitability.

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete the Civil Service Judgement Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application. 

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 28/07/2024. 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.

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.

Please use your statement of suitability to (in no more than 750 words) outline how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role as set out in the job advert. 

An initial sift based on the Statement of Suitability 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, Strengths, and a Presentation.

Candidates will be asked to give a presentation which will assess the Behaviour; Seeing the Big Picture, Details of the presentation question will be issued to candidates with the release of the sift scores.

To find out more about working in the department please visit our page on the Civil Service Careers Website here 

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

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.

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.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

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.

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 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.