Director General, Digital & Media Policy Candidate Information Pack

Group Director of Strategy (REF – 1589942)

Senior Civil Service Pay Band 2

Closing Date for applications: 23.59, Sunday 22nd July 2018

Candidate Information Pack Move your mouse pointer over the buttons  below and click for more information

This is an interactive document and is best viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download. To print this document, click here. Welcome

Why join Defra? Clare Moriarty

Clare is the Permanent Secretary for Defra, a role she has held since August 2015. As well as leading the Department, The decisions you take over the next two to she is closely involved in developing the Civil Service three years in this role will shape policy across Leadership Academy and is the Permanent Secretary Diversity Champion for Faith and Belief. Clare speaks and Defra’s sectors for a generation blogs regularly about leadership and inclusion.

We are looking for an exceptional person to will be critical for protecting our landscapes writing skills, and the ability to cut through join our leadership team as Defra’s Group and species, and also for preserving complex processes to make things happen. Director of Strategy. their beauty for future generations. We Above all, you will be keen to use your will strengthen our rural economy and energy and determination to leave our At Defra we have a special mission coastal communities. We will take action environment in a better state than we to protect the natural assets that are to clean the air, purify our waters, develop inherited it. fundamental to our survival and success: environmental land management schemes, we cannot have a healthy economy, a Defra Group is committed to promoting take back control of our fisheries and healthy society or healthy individuals equality and valuing diversity. Having a improve recycling. unless we have a healthy environment. diverse senior team is important to us. We are looking for an inspiring leader to We are committed to ensuring that every This is an exciting time to join Defra. Over develop and implement Defra’s strategy and talented, committed and hard-working the next few years, our goal is to deliver a organisational design for outside the EU. person has the opportunity to rise to Green Brexit. Defra is the department most You will be an independent minded thinker, the top, whatever their background and affected by the UK’s departure from the EU. with significant experience working inside whoever they are. Whether you are coming We have a rare chance to reshape policies and/or outside Government, keen to work from industry, a think tank, a Government on everything from agriculture and fisheries with Ministers and other senior leaders department, an NGO or another sector, we to environmental governance. This year we in a high pressured environment, good at would be delighted to hear from you. have published our 25 Year Environment problem solving, adept at summarising Plan, which sets out our ambitions and the Clare ideas and issues clearly, with excellent steps to deliver these. The actions we take

About Clare Moriarty – Permanent Secretary, Defra

I spent the first 20 years of my career in about the people’ and I constantly approach commits serious time to ensuring that we and around the Department of Health, change from the perspective of how it feels work well together as a team, with weekly working on everything from infertility to for the people affected by it. I’ve thought ‘check-ins’ and regular offsite workshops NHS foundation trusts, and including three a lot about leadership over the years. I set facilitated by our OD team. That’s put us in years as Principal Private Secretary to the out my approach in an essay that won the the best shape to cope with the challenges Secretary of State for Health. Secondments Ashridge/Guardian Public prize in 2009 ahead for the Defra group. to the NHS, and to the UCL School of Public and continue to develop my thinking as my Outside work I sing and make the most of Policy, provided invaluable insight into what experience of leadership grows. time with my teenage kids. I enjoy pulling it was like being on the receiving end of Over the last three years I’ve consistently up weeds in the garden and walking the policies made by central Government. encouraged people in Defra, and more dog, and – when I get the opportunity – Since then I’ve had experience of several widely across the Civil Service, to make climbing mountains. Since joining Defra I’m different Departments, in roles ranging connections and to share more of developing distinct naturalist tendencies and from Constitution Director in the Ministry themselves with their colleagues – for have become a keen orchid spotter. of Justice to Director General for Rail in the example talking about one thing we do Department for Transport. I moved to Defra outside work. I’ve found that talking about in 2015 as Permanent Secretary and have showing vulnerability, or challenging well- hugely enjoyed leading a Department with a meaning encouragement that women should vitally important agenda and now a central ‘be more confident’, strikes a chord with role in EU exit. many people. #Bringyourselftowork is now part of my ‘brand’. Going right back to my early days in the Department of Health, the jobs I’ve done I’m a big advocate of organisational have often been about change and I’ve development (OD) and have enlisted the become increasingly interested in how we support of OD experts to help my teams manage change. My firm belief is that ‘it’s all grow. The Defra group Executive Committee

Background to Defra, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Our vision is to create a Underpinning these is our delivery Some examples of our work include: objective, which describes the high level of • the delivery of domestic and service and value for money we will strive great place for living. international commitments on issues for, and two organisational objectives, We have developed a set of seven strategic such as air quality; which explain how we will organise priorities for the next five years covering our ourselves to deliver: • building our international trading policy outcomes and corporate objectives. relationships in the agriculture and • Excellent delivery, to time and budget and There are four impact objectives, which food sectors; with outstanding value for money; explain our ambitious long-term aims, and • working with key stakeholders to develop the positive differences we will make to the • An organisation continually striving to our evidence portfolio focusing on data- UK by 2020: be the best, focussed on outcomes and driven decision making and ensuring constantly challenging itself; • A cleaner, healthier environment which it aligns with the changing landscape. benefits people and the economy; • An inclusive, professional workforce where Increasing the availability, coherence and leaders recognise the contribution of productive use of open data. This includes • A world-leading food and farming industry; people and build capacity to deliver better the development and use of data science • A thriving rural economy, contributing to business outcomes. capabilities and increased use of earth national prosperity and wellbeing; observation. Defra has taken a lead across We offer an inclusive culture which government in implementing an open data • A nation protected against natural threats embraces and supports our colleagues programme – marked by the release of and hazards, with strong response and to achieve and sustain increased levels over 13,000 new open datasets; recovery capabilities. of employee wellbeing, engagement and productivity.

Background to Defra, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

• working with rural interests, local Useful information authorities and with other government Creating a great place for living: Defra’s Civil Service Leadership Statement departments to improve the opportunities strategy to 2020 for people and businesses in rural areas; https://www.gov.uk/government/ https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/civil-service-leadership- • protecting our country from natural publications/defras-strategy-to-2020- statement/civil-service-leadership-statement hazards and threats, including flooding creating-a-great-place-for-living and animal and plant diseases, for Civil Service Reform example investing £2.5 billion over the Defra Single Departmental Plan (SDP) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/ next 6 years to improve flood protection 2015 - 2020 government/uploads/system/uploads/ and better protect over 300,000 homes. https://www.gov.uk/government/ attachment_data/file/305148/Civil-Service- publications/defra-single-departmental- Reform-Plan-final.pdf plan-2015-to-2020/single-departmental- Civil Service Diversity and plan-2015-to-2020 Inclusion Strategy Department for Environment, Food & https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/ Rural Affairs – website government/uploads/system/uploads/ https://www.gov.uk/government/ attachment_data/file/658488/Strategy_v10_ organisations/department-for-environment- FINAL_WEB6_TEST_021117.pdf food-rural-affairs Defra 25 Year Environment Plan

Click the image to hear from our https://www.gov.uk/government/  leadership team. publications/25-year-environment-plan

The role of the Civil Service Commission

What is the role of the Civil The Civil Service Commission has three primary functions: • to provide assurance that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on Service Commission in the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s relation to recruitment into Recruitment Principles. For the most senior posts in the Civil Service, the Commission discharges its responsibilities directly by overseeing the recruitment process and by a the Civil Service? Commissioner chairing the selection panel • to hear and determine appeals made by civil servants under the Civil Service Code which sets out the Civil Service values – Honesty, Integrity, Impartiality and Objectivity – and forms part of the relationship between civil servants and their employer. • Civil Service Commissioners chair selection panels for all external recruitment competitions at Senior Civil Service Pay Band 2 (Directors), Pay Band 3 (Director General) and Permanent Secretary levels. An external competition is one that is advertised outside the Civil Service and candidates who are not existing civil servants may apply.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We passionately believe We have active staff networks e.g. Social national origin, age, religion, sex, gender Mobility; Ethnic Minority; Disability; and identity, marital status, disability, sexual in equality, diversity & Break the Stigma focused on mental health. orientation, working hours, trade union We run campaigns on building inclusive membership or trade union activity. inclusion and we match teams or the This is Me campaign which As a Disability Confident employer, we encourages people to bring their whole self that belief with action. positively welcome applications from to work. We support career development disabled people. We are committed to through talent schemes, internships, and making reasonable adjustments wherever reverse mentoring. We have senior leaders possible to ensure that disabled people who talk authentically and excitedly about can participate fully in the recruitment and what they are doing personally. We promote selection process so please specify these in and support the use of a range of flexible your application. working patterns to enable staff to balance home and work responsibilities; and we We will also consider any reasonable treat people fairly irrespective of their adjustments to enable any applicant with working arrangements. You can read more a disability to meet the requirements of in our strategy. the post. These are our legal requirements under the Equality Act 2010. We are committed to being an organisation in which fairness and equality of opportunity We offer a guaranteed interview scheme is central to the approach in business for all disabled applicants who provide and working relationships and where the evidence of meeting the minimum organisational culture reflects and supports essential requirements necessary for the these values. In Defra, you have the post, as set out in this applicant pack. You right to a working environment free from will be asked to indicate if you are applying discrimination, harassment, bullying and under this scheme when you submit your victimisation regardless of race, ethnic or online application.

Organogram

Clare Moriarty Permanent Secretary

Sonia Phippard David Kennedy Tamara Finklestein Betsy Bassis Ian Boyd Director General Director General Director General Director General Director General Chief Scientific Marine and Natural Food, Farming and Strategy Delivery EU Exit Delivery Chief Operating Officer Advisor Environment Bio-Security

Toby Nation John Curnow Group Director Heather Smith Alan Evans Director (acting) of Strategy Director Finance Legal Communication Director Analysis

Our office locations

As we are a national organisation, your teams are spread across offices in the UK and you will be expected to travel as deemed necessary and appropriate to engage with your team and stakeholders. Whilst this is predominantly a London based role, Defra group is able to support flexible working, which means that it may be possible for you to work some time each week from home or a local Defra office. This can be discussed post interview with the Vacancy Holder.

Vacancy Description

Job Title You will lead the Defra Group Strategy Directorate, including Private Office, the Strategy Unit, the Strategic Design Authority, Group Director of Strategy the Secretary of State’s policy advisors, and the Accountability Vacancy Reference and Governance Team. You will work closely with the Group Finance Director and Group Communications Director to ensure 1589942 an integrated approach to the design and delivery of our policy Location and vision for the Defra group, including our approach to the next This is a London based role but please note the requirements for Spending Review. travel and level of flexibility available as set out on page 10. Your key responsibilities include: Grade and Salary • Leading the development and delivery of Defra’s strategy, This is a Senior Civil Service Pay Band 2 role. including the vision, outcomes, organisational design and implementation; External applicants can expect to achieve circa £90,000 per annum. • Supporting the Secretary of State, Ministers, Permanent Secretary Standard pay rules apply for existing civil servants. and Executive Committee to implement Defra’s strategic priorities, The Role further improve performance and deliver organisational change; We are seeking an exceptional individual to lead the development • Ensuring and coordinating high quality policy development and and delivery of the Defra group strategy, working closely with the advice across private office, central units and policy teams to Secretary of State, Ministers and Non-Executive Directors. This support the Secretary of State and Ministers effectively; includes setting the strategic context, shaping our vision, policy • Leading Defra’s organisational design, including the shape of the outcomes and organisational design, and planning to make this Defra group and delivery bodies, the changes required to deliver happen. this, and the way services are provided to customers;

Vacancy Description

• Strengthening and simplifying governance across the Defra group, including the role of the Departmental Board, Non-Executive Directors, and the Executive Committee, in order to ensure effective decision making and oversight; • Supporting effective risk management across the Defra group, including strengthening risk leadership and culture, working closely with internal audit; • Strengthening the way Defra responds to Ministerial correspondence, further improving drafting and performance to provide high quality, timely replies; • Providing effective and visible leadership of the Strategy directorate, including the Strategy Unit, Ministerial Offices, Governance and Accountability Team and Ministerial Correspondence Unit (around 120 people in total); • Building capability and a high performing culture, including championing career development, talent management, and capability planning. In parallel we are recruiting for a new Director General, Strategy and Resource Delivery, into which this role will report and more details will be communicated following the outcome of the Director General competition.

Person Specification

It is important that, through your CV and supporting statement, you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the selection criteria detailed below. You will need to be able to show, through your application, that you have the professional skills and breadth of experience for this post, as well as the leadership skills to succeed at Director level. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate: • Working directly with Ministers and/or Board level executives to develop and implement a strategy within a complex environment, and creating a clear strategic vision for change; • Strong analytical ability and independent thinking using data to make decisions, solve problems and identify trade-offs to improve performance; • Experience of successfully navigating complex governance arrangements to deliver results; • Experience of operational delivery and delivering significant change programmes in large organisations, including excellent programme and project management skills; • Communicating effectively with a wide range of audiences, able to summarise complex ideas and convey them in an influencing manner, using excellent written and oral communication skills; • An inspiring leadership approach to build and lead teams in high pressured and fast paced environments, harnessing the talents of individuals and creating an ambitious, engaged, professional and innovative environment.

The Recruitment Process

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process, uploading the two documents outlined below. Application This should be completed no later than 23:59, Sunday 22nd July 2018:

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years

2. A Statement of Suitability (no longer than two pages) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the Shortlist criteria in the person specification Failure to submit both documents (CV and Statement of Suitability) will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification. Please ensure that both documents contain your full name. Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with us via: Assessment [email protected] [email protected].

Offer

The Recruitment Process

• Your application will be acknowledged by the Executive Recruitment Team • A panel will then assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the oler by Application considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the ‘Person Specification’ section. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application • The panel will be chaired by Jan Cameron, Civil Service Commissioner and will include: Jac Broughton HR Director, Defra The panel will also include two other panel members. Full details of the panel will be confirmed if you are Shortlist invited to interview.

Assessment

Offer

The Recruitment Process

• If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to take part in a series of assessments which will include psychometric tests and a staff engagement exercise. These assessments will not result in a pass or fail Application decision. Rather, they are designed to support the panel’s decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview. • As part of the recruitment process you will have the opportunity to speak to Michael Gove (Secretary of State, Defra) prior to the final interview to learn more about the role and the organisation. You will be given further details about this after the shortlist meeting. Please note this is not part of the formal assessment process. Shortlist • You will be asked to attend a panel interview in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification. • Full details of the assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates. • Two professional references will be taken in advance of the final interviews with the shortlisted candidates. Please be assured we will not contact your referees without your permission to do so. Assessment The assessments will take place between 6th and 17th August 2018.

Offer

The Recruitment Process

• We expect to be able to notify candidates of the outcome of the process and make an offer to the successful candidate by the end of August. Application • Regardless of the outcome, we will notify all candidates as soon as possible • We will send you a copy of the reports from any assessments undertaken as part of the recruitment process once the recruitment competition has concluded.

Shortlist

Assessment

Offer

Expected Timeline

We are keen to conclude the process and make an offer by the end of August but recognise that holding assessments during the summer may be a challenge in terms of candidate availability. We will try and offer as much flexibility as possible, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for assessments or interviews. Candidates are therefore asked to note the below timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process, including participating in assessments via video (e.g. Skype / Google Hangout) where necessary in order to meet the dates given. Please note that, whilst we’ll endeavour not to, these dates may be subject to change.

23.59 on Sunday 22nd July 2018 Advert Closing Date

Week commencing 30th July 2018 Short List Meeting

July 2018 September 2018 Wednesday 1st August 2018 Meetings with Secretary of State / Minister

Between 6th August and 17th August 2018 Assessments (including Staff Engagement Exercise)

Week commencing 20th August 2018 Final Interviews Interviews will take place in 2 Marsham Street, Westminster, London SW1P 4DF.

Benefits of working for Defra

Equality Diversity and Inclusion We also offer a personal pension scheme Bank Holiday Employees receive 8 public called partnership. You do not have to holidays a year, plus an additional day to Defra values and supports all its make any payments to have a partnership mark the Queen’s Birthday. employees. pension account as your employer will make These allowances are pro-rata for part time For example, we have strong and pro- contributions anyway, from a minimum of staff. active staff networks, special leave policies 8% up to 14.75% based upon your age. If for hospital appointments, reasonable you do choose to contribute your employer Staff Bonuses and Staff Recognition adjustments put in place for those who need will match your contributions up to a further We offer end of year Performance Awards them, and diversity talent programmes to 3% of pensionable salary. This is a type of (to our top performers). help everyone irrespective of background, to pension where benefits are dependent on achieve their potential. contributions and the growth of the pension We also have a Staff Recognition Scheme, fund. More information can be found on the to reward exemplary work. Pension MyCSP website. Learning and Development Your pension is a valuable part of your Your pension will continue total reward package, and you will be Life assurance Everyone in Defra is supported to develop to provide valuable benefits for you and your given the chance to join either: their skills and capabilities. family, if you are too ill to continue to work Alpha a career average pension scheme or die before you retire. More information Induction All new employees joining (and (defined benefit) that has an annual accrual can be found on the MyCSP website. returning) to Defra will have an induction to rate of 2.32% of pensionable salary, and the department, our work and policies. an employer contribution rate of up to Generous Annual Leave and Bank Holiday Allowance Civil Service Learning Access to learning 24.5% dependent upon pensionable salary. and development with world class providers, Employee contributions are also based upon Annual Leave Defra offers 25 days annual through Civil Service Learning, including your pensionable salary and contribution leave (rising, over 5 years, to 30 days) for full Professional Development. rates can be found on the MyCSP website. time new entrants to the Civil Service and those Civil Servants on modernised terms All our employees have the opportunity to and conditions. Existing Civil Servants on voluntarily engage and work confidentially pre-modernised terms will retain these. with a mentor or coach.

Benefits of working for Defra

Volunteering Defra employees are entitled Cycle to Work Scheme Employee Discounts to 3 days special leave with pay, per Defra loans you a bike for your commute Defra employees have access to our year, for volunteering. We encourage our as a tax-free benefit. At the end of the loan discount scheme, offering savings at employees to take this up, as volunteering period, you have the option to buy the hundreds of top retailers. can be a great way to share skills with bike, saving 30% of the original cost. worthy charitable causes, while developing Give as You Earn Season Ticket and Bicycle Loan new insights and stronger links with the civil Defra is registered with the Give as You society sector. We offer interest-free season ticket loans, Earn scheme, which enables you to make Reservists We fully support reservists to all Defra employees with more than regular deductions directly from your salary, and offer 15 days special leave with pay three months’ service, for purchasing train in support of a chosen charity. This is simple for training. and bus season tickets, as well as station and tax efficient. car parking. For those unable to take Mentoring and Coaching Mentoring is an Staff Wellbeing advantage of tax-free benefits, we also effective means of developing your career, offer an interest free bicycle loan to enable We have various measures in place to boosting your confidence and empowering the purchase of a bicycle for commuting. assist with the physical and emotional both the mentor and the mentee. health of our staff. Sick Pay Childcare vouchers Flexible working to allow for variations We offer a generous and supportive Sick The government has introduced the Tax- in your hours from day to day, suiting Pay Policy, with Sick pay progressively Free Childcare (TFC) scheme. Working your needs, and where this is compatible increasing, by the length of service, parents can open an online childcare with business needs. There is further beginning at one month’s sick pay in the account and for every £8 they pay in, the scope to work from home, compressed first year of service. government adds £2, up to a maximum of hours and more. £2000 a year for each child or £4000 for a disabled child. Parents then use the funds to pay for registered childcare.

Benefits of working for Defra

Break the Stigma is an employee-led network in Defra which offers support, information and raises awareness of mental health issues. Employee Assistance Programme is a free and confidential 24/7 telephone advice service available to our staff. Our Occupational Health Service (OHS) provides a range of support services, to optimise your attendance, engagement and performance at work.

FAQs

1. Can I apply if I am not currently a process of applying. The online tool will 7. What nationality do I need to hold in civil servant? help you to look for a suitable job-share order to apply? partner in government departments. Yes. This role is open to suitably qualified To be eligible for employment to this role people in the external market and to 4. Will the role require travel? you must be a national from the following existing civil servants and those in countries: Some national travel will be required for accredited Non Departmental Bodies. this role. • The United Kingdom 2. Is this role permanent? 5. Where will the role be based? • The Republic of Ireland This role is being offered on a permanent Whilst this is predominantly a London • The Commonwealth* basis. based role, we are able to support • A European Economic Area (EEA) 3. Is this role suitable for part-time flexible working. This means it may be Member State working? possible for you to work some time each week from home or a local Defra office. • Switzerland Because of the nature of this role, it is offered as a full-time post. A job-share Relocation costs will not be reimbursed. • Turkey partnership providing full-time cover will 6. Can I claim back any expenses Certain family members of EEA, be considered. We can also offer flexible incurred during the recruitment Switzerland and Turkish nationals are working arrangements as outlined on process? also eligible to apply regardless of Page 20. their nationality. No. Unfortunately we will not be able For existing Civil Servants, interested in to reimburse you, except in exceptional (*Commonwealth citizens not yet in the job-share, you can use the Civil Service circumstances and only when agreed in UK, who have no right of abode in the job-share webpage to find out more advance. UK and who do not have leave to enter about how job-sharing works and the the UK are ineligible to apply.)

FAQs

For further information on whether you an accessible format or; by providing 9. What do I do if I want to make a are eligible to apply, please visit Gov.UK. training. If you feel that you may need complaint? a reasonable adjustment to be made, 7. Is security clearance required? If you feel that your application has not or you would like to discuss your been treated in accordance with the Yes. If successful you must hold, or be requirements in more detail, please recruitment principles and wish to make willing to obtain, security clearance to contact us in the first instance. a complaint then you should contact Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) level. If you wish to receive a hard copy of the Keira Gothard on keira.gothard@defra. However, Security Clearance (SC) level information, or in an alternative format gsi.gov.uk in the first instance. may be required in the future. More e.g. Audio, Braille or large font then information about the vetting process If you are not satisfied with the response please contact: can be found at the following link you receive, you can find the information [email protected]. about submitting a complaint to the https://www.gov.uk/guidance/security- uk Civil Service Commission at http:// vetting-and-clearance. civilservicecommission.independent.gov. If you cannot apply online, please post 8. What reasonable adjustments can be uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/. your application to: made if I have a disability? Executive Recruitment, Civil Service We are committed to making reasonable Talent, LG72, 100 Parliament Street, adjustments in order to support disabled London, SW1A 2BQ. job applicants and ensure that you are not disadvantaged in the recruitment Please quote the vacancy reference and assessment process. Reasonable number on the envelope and ensure it adjustments could include; allowing arrives by the closing date. extra time during selection tests; ensuring that information is provided in

FAQs

10. What should I do if I think that I have a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Equal Opportunities conflict of interest? Disabled Persons Defra values equality and diversity in Candidates must note the requirement Disabled applicants who meet the minimum employment. We are committed to being an to declare any interests that might selection criteria in the job specification are organisation in which fairness and equality cause questions to be raised about guaranteed an interview. Selection will be of opportunity is central to the approach their approach to the business of the on merit. If you wish to claim a guaranteed in business and working relationships and Department. interview under the Disability Commitment, where the organisational culture reflects you should complete the relevant section of and supports these values. In Defra, you If you believe that you may have a the online application. It is not necessary to have the right to a working environment free conflict of interest please contact state the nature of your disability. from discrimination, harassment, bullying [email protected] before and victimisation regardless of race, ethnic submitting your application. or national origin, age, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, working hours, trade union membership or trade union activity.

If you have any questions about the post detailed in this pack or the application and selection process, please contact Rachel Whyte, Civil Service Executive Recruitment Search Partner by email at [email protected].