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.

On 4 October 2023, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) published a command paper setting out the proposed action the government will take to protect future generations from the harms of smoking, help existing smokers to quit smoking, reduce the number of young people that vape and strengthen enforcement of illicit and underage sales of tobacco products and vapes.

The Addictions and Inclusion Policy Analysis team is part of the Health Improvement and Disparities Policy Analysis division within DHSC and are the main analytical team supporting the development and implementation of the smoking and vaping policies announced by the Prime Minister. In particular, the team is developing the impact assessments for the proposal to raise the legal age of sale for tobacco by one year every year and the proposed policies to reduce the number of young people that vape. 

The Health Improvement and Disparities Policy Analysis division provides analytical support throughout the policy cycle. It is a friendly, supportive and positive place to work, and we are open to discussions about how flexible working patterns could support you as well as the business. We actively welcome applications from black and minority ethnic colleagues, colleagues with a disability, and other groups who are currently underrepresented in the Civil Service.

Job description

This is an exciting and stretching opportunity to join the Addictions and Inclusion Policy Analysis team. The team’s work includes providing analytical support to policy teams for alcohol, drugs and tobacco.

There are three Grade 7 roles, and an initial priority project will cover different elements of the analysis to support the development of the recent the smoking and vaping policies announced by the Prime Minister. These roles are critical to ensuring that the analysis for these policies is robust to support the development of these policies and allow them to pass through the legislative process.

A key function of the role will be the development of impact assessments to give a clear picture of the cost and benefits of different policy options. This will include taking impact assessments through internal clearance processes and the Regulatory Policy Committee.

The role will also involve driving forward the evidence base to support the development of future policies and to help support the case for future investment in smoking and vaping.

At times the roles may also be involved in providing analytical support for other policy areas, depending on priorities and business needs.

You will be working in a multi-disciplinary team and have opportunities for learning and development across the analytical team and wider analytical community.

Person specification

This role would suit an experienced Grade 7 analyst looking for a high degree of autonomy and leadership and with a passion for public health. The roles are open to all analytical professions (or equivalent experience) but requires someone with experience in delivering complex regulatory impact assessments.

Responsibilities for the post-holder include:

• Lead the development of regulatory impact assessments for smoking and vaping policies.
• Work proactively and collaboratively to build the evidence base for future smoking and vaping policies and cases for investment.
• Provide briefing to senior officials on the evidence base for intervention and ad hoc advice as required.
• High quality line management of at least one HEO/SEO analyst, supporting their development and wellbeing in the team.
• Contribute to the Senior Leadership Team of both the Addictions and Inclusion Policy Analysis team and the Health Improvement and Disparities Policy Analysis division. This includes supporting a positive team culture, promoting diversity and inclusion, and working collaboratively to set priorities for analytical work.

Key Skills and Experience:

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Knowledge and practical application of the HMT Green Book.
• Experience in leading and delivering complex regulatory impact assessments.
• Experience of leading complex analytical work across multiple projects, including proactively balancing competing priorities.
• Able to identify risks to the delivery of analytical work and work with Grade 6 line managers and Deputy Directors to mitigate these risks, including deprioritising work where needed in order to meet milestones.
• Clear communication of analytical concepts to non-specialists, to support collaborative and joined-up decision making.
• Experience in or potential to line manage junior analysts, including supporting their development and wellbeing.

Eligibility for this role is limited to existing members of the government analytical professions and those who have the appropriate qualifications and experience to become members.

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, Experience and Technical skills.

Sift date: expected W/C 08/01/2024

Interview date: expected W/C 22/01/2024

Interview location: By Video

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

Applications will be sifted on Behaviours, CV and a Statement of Suitability. Candidates who are part of the Statistician Profession will also be expected to complete a Government Statistical Service online test.

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 also include a list of your relevant qualifications. 

Please use your Statement of Suitability to (in no more than 1000 words) outline how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role as set out in the job advert including whether you are currently a member of one of the government analytical professions. Please ensure that you provide at least one detailed example of your leadership in conducting impact assessments.

Please complete statements on the specified Behaviours (250 word per statement).

Candidates who are part of the Statistician Profession will be required to complete a Government Statistical Service Test as part of the online application. Eligible candidates will be invited to complete the test after the closing date on 08/01/2024. If you successfully pass the test, you will be progressed to sift. If you fail to complete the online test 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

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

An initial sift based on the CV and 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, a Presentation and Technical Skills.

Candidates will be asked a presentation which will assess a Technical Skill - assessing the costs and benefits of a public health intervention. 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 

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.

Further Information

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.

Memberships and Qualifications required for the role will be checked and verified by the vacancy holder as part of the onboarding process. You may also be asked to provide evidence that any qualifications obtained overseas are equivalent to those advertised.

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.

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.