About the job

Job summary

The role is key to filling a gap in the flow of information between local labour market stakeholders and strategy/policy teams with regards strategic local labour market engagements, particularly in relation to funds and provision not delivered through Jobcentre Plus. A key strategic role working with Welsh Government to align DWP and Welsh Government strategies and funding streams.  This has gained importance due to increasing focus on decentralisation and place-based delivery through Levelling Up, UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and the UK Community Renewal Fund (UKCRF).

Offering the opportunity to develop and further understand the potential and scope of the role in supporting regional strategic objectives in line with DWP and UK Government (UKG) objectives, including levelling up, decentralisation and workforce participation and the related engagement role DWP is expected to have across local and national government (including, DLUCH, DBT, Home Office) and the devolved administrations in Wales and to align strategic messages and funding streams to ensure best value for money.

Job description

Performing as a strategic regional interface between DWP policy directorates, other UK Government departments regional teams Policy Teams, Local Authorities and key regional stakeholders. Senior leader for Group Partnerships, Devolution Team and Wales Director’s Group Office with a lead role on Employer and Partnership activity.

You Will -

• Lead the Departments regional strategic relationships ensuring collaborative and influential engagement on behalf of the DWP, partners, providers, and relevant organisations, ensuring a strong DWP presence in key governance forums – so that DWP policy objectives are better understood and landed locally, and opportunities sought for greater alignment and leverage in delivery of local services to the customer. Lead on engagement with local authorities, Devolved Administrations, other government departments, and strategic stakeholders.
• A regional expert on DWP policy agenda & regional expert on funding streams supporting DWP objectives on DWP’s labour market policy agenda and employment and skills provision delivered by DWP, other government departments, Devolved Administrations, Local Authorities and the Voluntary Sector, building improved channels for regular engagement with DWP policy teams to enable this – so that the policy intent is clear and setting the direction on behalf of the Group Director across a large geographical area.
• Lead regular structured feedback and local intelligence to the Department (policy and delivery) on local labour market issues, stakeholder positions and barriers to achieving DWP and UKG objectives – so that local labour market intelligence has a greater impact on policy and delivery development as place-based experts within region covered, and lead on selected policy themes at place level across GB and lead on selected funding streams across GB.
• Develop DWP stakeholder and partner understanding of local labour market needs and awareness of national and local employment and skills support to optimise policy development and delivery of labour market outcomes.
• Connect into local services, maintaining and sharing awareness of initiatives funded by other government departments and broader activities relating to services and initiatives within their geography.
• Lead the implementation of DWP Employer and Partner Strategy across the Group, linking to the Devolved Administration strategies to align and turbo charge labour market activity to meet the aspiration set by UK Government to reduce unemployment and support levelling up to reduce inequalities.
• As an active member of the Group and Area Senior Leadership Team, contribute to the wider Departmental agendas and providing visible, accessible, and effective senior leadership, taking a personal lead in communicating messages with clarity and conviction.
• To understanding the complex landscape of funding and provision across DWP and other government departments, lead through ambiguity and adapt quickly to changing direction and priorities.

Extensive travel across Wales with regular attendance in Cardiff is expected.

Person specification

Key Criteria 

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate the following:  

• Demonstrate strong leadership experience, both personal and corporate, in challenging circumstances, with experience of leading and motivating high performing teams and delivering results. (Lead Criteria)
• Set and articulate a strong strategic vision to others and develop team plans and activities to deliver against Directorate and Departmental objectives ensuring everyone understands their roles and business priorities.
• Strong experience of working in partnership, managing complex and challenging conversations to influence outcomes by working collaboratively across teams, internally, externally and across Government at a senior level engaging and building trust with stakeholders to generate commitment to goals and ensuring national and local focus and consistency.
• Demonstrate an understanding of ‘Place-based’, bringing this to life to deliver excellent customer outcomes across Group and wider.
• Through behaviour and ways of working make DWP an inclusive place where people can be their best.
• Evidence effective engagement with DWP policy leads, the ability to influence, and the implementation of policy intent.

Preferable skills

The ability to speak Welsh would be desirable.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave 23 days for Full time new entrants (rising to 25 after 1 year), plus all bank holidays 
• Flexible working patterns available 
• Competitive maternity, paternity, and parental leave 
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Employee Assistance with emphasis on wellbeing 
• Career and Personal Development through Operational Delivery Profession 
• Employee discount schemes 

Location

Candidates will be given an opportunity to express a preference for their office base location when offers are made. Locations can be any site within the Wales Universal Credit Group where space allows and with agreement of the Group Director. We will endeavour to meet preferences but this cannot be guaranteed.

Applicants should apply for suitable posts where they can travel to and from their home office location daily within a reasonable time.   

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Relocation costs will not be reimbursed. 

Hybrid Working

This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need, but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be considered. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

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.

How to Apply

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process outlined below: 

CV

The CV is an on-line tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobsite and there is no requirement to upload your personal CV.

Our CV element is short and will not be scored as part of your application but allows an initial check of eligibility, so please put the main content of your evidence and skills in your personal statement.

Personal Statement

A supporting statement (no longer than 1,250 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the key criteria and person specification. 

When completing your personal statement, please read and understand the key criteria and person specification, as this is what your written evidence will assessed against.

Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. You may choose to address each criteria separately, however, one narrative example may cover and evidence several key criteria. You may not be able to meet all the key criteria, but please ensure you evidence: the key personal requirements and what have you done that relates to the requirements. You don’t have to explain the whole process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used. Share with us what makes you suited to this role and why, what you can do and the skills you have that are transferable to the key requirements, and the life experience or passion you have that are linked to this role.  

The interview

This will consist of a face to face, blended Interview where we will assess you using Behavioural and Strength based questions on the four  Behaviours listed.

A blended interview aims to be more of a conversation at interview, offering a more inclusive approach. The Behaviour and Strength based questioning explores what the candidate can and has done, but also their potential.

The interview will last approximately 45 to 50 minutes and includes requirement for candidates to deliver a 5-minute presentation, no IT will be required for this presentation.  Further details regarding the topic for the presentation and interview arrangements will be included in the invitation to interview. 

Interviews will take place 20th to 21st May 2024 in Cardiff Charles Street JCP.

Due to time constraints interviews will only be undertaken on the above dates unless advised otherwise.

Further Information

Find out more about Working for DWP

A reserve list may be held for a period of 3 months from which further appointments can be made. The reserve list may be used to offer future vacancies which arise in Wales Group and across the wider DWP network. Any such offers would be made in strict merit order and the location and job role would be fully explained. 

You may be placed on the reserve list if your application is successful, but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note: 

• If you are offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list,
• If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list. 

Candidates should note that if successful in this campaign, you will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before applying for any other lateral moves within DWP. 

Any move to DWP 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.

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.

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.

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

Reasonable Adjustment

At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

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

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.