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 are exciting times at the Department for Education. In 2023, we will continue to build services for all our users – across children’s services and education, early years, schools, higher and further education policy, and apprenticeships and wider skills in England. 
 
Our diverse and inclusive culture reflects the society we live in. This helps us to achieve better outcomes for all our users. We work in multi-disciplinary teams using Agile methods to innovate and radically improve services for children and learners, school teachers, head teachers and school staff. 

You can read more about our strategy on the DfE digital and technology blog, by visiting our LinkedIn page, or by following us on Twitter @DfE_DigitalTech .

Job description

We are looking for two Senior Service Designers to join the National Schools services portfolio at the Department for Education. In the National services for Schools portfolio we put users at the heart of what we do. Our multidisciplinary teams deliver services and initiatives such as: 

‘Get help Buying for Schools’, a service which helps our users in schools navigate and run highly complex and expensive procurements to save money and deliver the best quality of goods and services for staff and children in schools. 

The ’Schools technology services’ programme provides services helping schools operate using the latest technologies, helping teachers and school staff deliver a child-centred education through engaging and robust use of technology; by reducing workload for teachers and improving efficiency in schools through the better use of technology. 

We take a policy lab approach to ensure that policy decision-making is supported by research insights and user-centred design, exploring topics such as the use of assistive technology in schools, post-16 maths, digital maturity in schools and trusts and technology training for teachers and school staff. 

Our school account project combines a service-oriented approach, helping users navigate and use DfE services through a single cohesive touchpoint. This is supported by a strategic initiative to align policy and service operations internally to create a joined-up and cross-service view of the users we serve. 

As a Senior Service Designer, you will:  

• Design inclusive, accessible digital services that solve a whole problem for users  
• Work with service owners and programme directors to develop design concepts, that cut across departments where necessary 
• Help set the vision and strategic direction of services and embed good practice within teams  
• Make important decisions based on research and understand how this research impacts others 
• Contribute to and help shape a vibrant and diverse design community of practice 
• Prioritise understanding the needs and behaviour of users and know how to use this insight to underpin and drive the work that we do 
• Communicate effectively to share the as-is and the future vision of the service, working closely with service owners to help define the backlog, pulling together user research, business design, data science, policy intent and key metrics 
• Identify service failure within service journeys; facilitate the design for improvements that address service failure 
• Map and prototype end-to-end services and understand how they fit into wider societal, system and organisational contexts 
• Identify and design new service patterns and standards that scale 
• Coach, mentor and train other designers, helping set and communicate good practice to improve quality and consistency across DfE’s transformation programmes 
• Understand the existing system of your service and work with teams to target improvements and cost reductions 
• Help people and teams overcome complexity, running and synthesising workshops to create clarity, alignment and direction

One role will be based at our London offices and one based at one of our national offices, listed above.

Person specification

Essential Criteria 
 
It is essential that you can demonstrate the following experience in your application and at interview: 

• Evidence and context-based design. You know how to design systems for use across multiple services and can identify the simplest approach out of a variety of approaches. 
• Leadership and guidance. You can change organisational structures to fixable and sustainable designs. You know how to lead on the strategy for the whole organisation, marrying business needs with innovative analysis. You can make and justify decisions characterised by high levels of risk, impact and complexity. You know how to build consensus between organisations (private or public) or highly independent and diverse stakeholders. You can solve and unblock issues between teams or departments at the highest level. You understand the psychology of a team and have strong mediation skills. 
• User focus. You know how to give direction on which tools or methods to use. You are experienced in meeting the needs of users across a variety of channels. You’ll have significant experience collaborating with teams and stakeholders to help define the problem that needs to be solved. You can bring insight and expertise in how user needs have changed over time to ensure these are met by the business. 
• Facilitation. You’re confident using facilitation and co-design approaches and service design methodologies to bring users, stakeholders, and individuals together to frame problems, agree on shared purpose and shape a design process to deliver desired service outcomes. 
• Prototyping. You are experienced in using a variety of methods of prototyping your vision and engaging others with how the world could be. You know how to share best practice and can coach others. You can look at strategic service design end to end. You know how to involve your team, stakeholders and users and build feedback and validation into your ways of working. 

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 experience in line with the essential criteria listed in the advert. 

Please note that all communications will be electronic therefore it is vitally important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder. 

Key Dates:  

• Vacancy Close – Sunday 31st December 2023 at 23.55.
• Sift – likely to take place from Monday 8th January
• Interviews – likely to take place from w/c Monday 22nd January

Stage 1: Application 

If you would like to apply for this position, please complete the Civil Service Jobs application form by clicking the "apply now" button at the top or bottom of this advert. 

You will be required to provide details of:-  

• Your CV – Set out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role.  
• Your Statement of Suitability – In no more than 1,250 words, provide examples to explain how your personal skills, qualities and experience demonstrate your suitability for the role. You should refer to the essential criteria listed in the advert. 

Please note, CV details must be contained within the template on the application form. Any CV or Statement of Suitability that has been emailed to our team will not be considered.  

Stage 2: Sift 

At sift stage, your application will be assessed on how your CV and Statement of Suitability align to the essential criteria listed in the advert. The CV and statement will be assessed against the essential criteria detailed in the advert. 

Candidates successful at sift stage will be invited to an interview.  

We receive many applications, and unfortunately, we’re not able to provide feedback for candidates who aren’t shortlisted. 

Stage 3: Interview 

The interview will be a 2-part process: 

Part 1: 10 - 15 minute portfolio presentation  

Part 2: A series of questions about your experience to demonstrate, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. 

Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. If you are invited to interview, please ensure that you have access to this software and that you have your video turned on. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview. 

As a Disability Confident Leader, it is important that we are able to make appropriate arrangements or adjustments where necessary in order to create a full and equal participation in the selection process. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please contact the recruitment team to see how we can meet your needs. 

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.