About the job

Job summary

Are you ready to lead transformative digital initiatives and shape the future of IT innovation? If you're passionate about leveraging your senior-level IT expertise to drive digital excellence, this opportunity awaits you.

The Office for Environmental Protection (the OEP) mission is to protect and recover the environment. Created by the Environment Act 2021, our role is to hold Government and public bodies to account. The OEP do this in several ways including reporting on progress against environmental targets, advising on changes to environmental laws and receiving complaints from the public which can lead to us taking enforcement action.

This role is based in the OEP’s Chief of Staff directorate in the Corporate Services team. The Corporate Services team provide IT, HR, Finance and Procurement expertise and support to the rest of the organisation. With a total staff of just over 80, we are a dynamic, friendly and flexible organisation covering both England, Northern Ireland, and environmental matters reserved to the UK government. We offer flexible working arrangements, high profile, dynamic work and the chance to have an impact on improving the state of the environment.

To find out more about the OEP, what we do, who we are and our current work, visit the OEP website .

The OEP is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra in England and DAERA in Northern Ireland which means it operates independently from Defra. Our employees are public servants and as part of the benefits package, employees have the opportunity to enrol in the Civil Service Pension Scheme. 

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to work in an organisation that operates a modern, cloud-based IT service with a real commitment to providing an excellent experience for its staff.

The Senior IT and Digital Officer is responsible for promoting and delivering IT and Digital support services to OEP staff in accordance with its IT and Digital strategy. They will liaise with OEP managers, staff, monitor third party IT supplier performance, and provide systems administration and user support, including system configuration and data management.

We are looking for individuals from any background, who have the enthusiasm and flexibility to help us grow and develop this exciting new organisation. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, we would love you to get in touch.

The role holder will:

• Take charge of overseeing the operational management of the OEP's IT service, collaborating with both internal staff and IT suppliers to ensure a high-quality service that aligns with the established service level agreements.
• Serve as day-to-day contact with our IT suppliers to manage requests, incidents, planned changes and service delivery issues
• Collaborate with OEP Finance and IT suppliers to forecast spend against budget and to manage the timely payment of invoices by receipting goods and services.
• Provide ad-hoc and planned assistance and guidance to OEP staff on the effective use of PC and mobile devices, Office 365, and Windows 10.
• Regularly review and update IT policies in coordination with the Head of IT and the OEP’s Data Protection Officer.
• Manage the administration and management of the OEP's SharePoint site, including restricted sites and permissions, working where necessary with our IT supplier to make changes.
• Work with Human Resources and our IT supplier to provide an excellent IT service for those joining and leaving the OEP.
• Manage stock levels of mobiles, PCs, monitors, and IT consumables in accordance with agreed-upon levels, working closely with the IT supplier.
• Coordinate planned and unplanned maintenance for audio-visual meeting room technology and printing, liaising with relevant suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR legislation and the data management framework for all personal data held on OEP systems.
• Utilise the software asset management system to ensure we are utilising software licences efficiently and compliantly.

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Information Webinars: 

We are hosting a webinar during the application period to provide potential candidates with the opportunity to meet the team, to find out more about the role and to ask questions. Please click here to join the webinar on Thursday 14 December at 3:00pm.

Person specification

Essential skills and experience 

• A degree in Computer Science or equivalent professional qualification in ITIL, and/or experience in a similar role.
• Experience of managing and providing best practice guidance on using Microsoft products in a corporate environment.
• An understanding of current information management legislation (GDPR).
• Broad experience of IT service management, ideally with an understanding of ITIL.
• Experience in supporting the procurement of IT and proactively managing the relationship with suppliers so the service stays within agreed performance levels.
• A good understanding of IT and digital technologies and how they can be used to support the delivery of quality services in a modern, high-profile organisation.
• An understanding of the regulatory landscape in which the OEP operates to ensure that IT and digital solutions meet these business needs.
• Good knowledge and experience of IT service management, digital service design, data analysis and how cloud technologies work, especially in the context of Microsoft Azure and Office 365.
• Well-developed communication skills with the ability to explain and demonstrate complex technical concepts to senior managers, third parties and staff with different levels of IT competence.
• A strong customer focus, excellent listening and questioning skills, combined with the ability to interact confidently with stakeholders to establish what the problem is and explain the solution.

Benefits

Pension

The OEP offers a generous defined benefit, inflation-proof Civil Service Pension which is a valuable part of your total reward package. Upon joining the OEP, staff can opt to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme which, depending on salary, offers a personal contribution rate of between 4.6% and 7.35%, and an employer contribution rate of between 26.6% and 30.3%. There is also the option to join a partnership scheme. Full details and benefits of the options available to you can be found on the Civil Service Pensions Portal.

Leave and Flexible Working

The OEP offers 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days over 5 years for all new entrants. 

Additional paid leave is available where necessary to cater for a variety of situations including, but not limited to, family-related leave, volunteering days, exam and study leave, public duties and trade union activities. In addition, we offer a generous enhanced maternity leave, parental leave and shared parental leave policy.

The OEP is supportive of flexible working and has a flexible working policy to allow for variations in individuals working hours where this is compatible with business need.

Performance Management and In Year Bonus Scheme

The OEP is committed to promoting a high-performing culture for all employees.  Performance and development management is key to developing trusting relationships between managers and employees so that they can be their best and thrive at work. Every individual will have a performance management plan which will be reviewed on a regular basis.

The OEP has a quarterly ‘In-year Bonus Scheme’ where individuals and/ or teams can be recognised for outstanding one-off contributions and achievements.

Learning and Development

The OEP is a learning organisation and strongly supports the continuous professional development of all employees through both personal and work related study. The OEP will pay for one relevant profession membership per employee to support continuous professional development.

Every employee has access to five days learning and development each year to support professional development. This could be through Civil Service Learning mandatory and voluntary learning, corporate inductions, staff events and welcome days as well as relevant professional qualifications and specific courses.

Staff Wellbeing

Staff wellbeing is extremely important and the OEP strives to provide access to numerous resources to aid the wellbeing of its employees. Current initiatives include:

• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing free and confidential 24/7 telephone advice and guidance to support employees with both personal and employment issues. This may include personal wellbeing, career development or legal matters such as landlord / tenant disputes.
• Access to an Occupational Health Service to provide a range of support service to help with the way you feel at work.
• Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders and wider Defra Group mental health first aid network and resources.
• Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness, meditation and sleep app.
• Access to a Financial Wellbeing Portal.
• Free eye tests and a contribution to glasses/ lenses if required for VDU use.

Salary Sacrifice, Discounts and SmartTech Benefits

All employees have access to the STaR, Reward Gateway an online platform providing access to hundreds of discounts, offers and cashback options with well-known retailers. They offer a SmartTech scheme, a Cash Healthcare plan and numerous other benefits and services.

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.

Application Process

The OEP uses the Civil Service Success Profile  framework which is made up of five elements: Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical. It is strongly recommend you have a look at the Success Profiles to enable you to make the best application possible.  

When writing or presenting behaviours, the OEP recommends you use the STAR format to present your answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV detailing qualifications and work history; a 750 word statement of suitability on how you meet the essential experience.

The personal statement is a very important part of your application. Review the person specification and essential experience and skills criteria on the job description and outline how you meet it providing specific and relevant examples. These could be from work, volunteering, training or education. Further details are provided on the application form.

Sift

After the closing date, your application will be reviewed against the essential sift criteria outlined for the role. Candidates who pass the initial sift will progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The sift will be conducted and applicants will be notified of the outcome shortly after the closing date. Please note that feedback will not be given to applications at sift stage.

Interview and ID Verification

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on experience, behaviours outlined in the advert.

The interviewers will be expecting you to discuss relevant examples in your responses to their questions so it is recommended that you prepare in advance.  Examples can be the same or different to those you gave in your personal statement.

At interview, you may be required to deliver a presentation or complete an additional exercise. If this is required details will be sent alongside your invite to interview.

Interviews may be held virtually on MS Teams.

Appointments

All appointments will be made in merit order following interview.

Identification

Candidates will need to bring ID to interview for verification in person. Human Resources will contact you to advise what ID you need to bring.

Following interview, ID will need to be checked for Right to Work and BPSS security clearance. This will be done by secure online platforms via the Government Recruitment Service.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. All appointments will be made in merit order.

Near Miss Appointments

On occasion candidates may attend interview for the advertised post but will narrowly miss the standard required at interview. The OEP may, where appropriate, consider such candidates for alternative, similar posts at a lower grade.

Salary

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

 Location

All OEP roles are based in Worcester and/ or Northern Ireland.

All GB employees will be contractually based at the Worcester office. The OEP embraces  a blended working model and will support a combination of office and home working which will be dependent on business need and individual circumstances. GB based employees are expected to attend the office in Worcester for a minimum of 2 days  a week (pro rata). If GB based, travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to the Worcester office.

If the candidate is an internal candidate, they retain the right to their current contractual location unless TUPE restrictions apply. Home working contracts will not be issued for GB based staff.

Secondees will remain on home department or organisation terms and payroll. As such, they will retain their contractual location.

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 the OEP at recruitment@theoep.org.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.

Accessibility

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

Criminal Record Check

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Access NI 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.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please note that the OEP is not a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License Sponsor and is unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to the OEP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. 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.