Director of Transformation and Policy Capability Salary: c£93,000* Closing date: 27th August 2020 Location options: London, Coventry, Sheffield, Manchester We promote flexible working and welcome applications from job-share partnerships. This is a full time role, though there is some flexibility to accommodate other working patterns, for specific queries please contact: [email protected]

* Civil Service pay arrangements apply for existing Civil Servants applying on level transfer or promotion. The level of security needed for this post is security check (SC) – if the appointed Director does not already hold SC clearance, they will need to successfully complete the vetting process. Welcome

Thank you for your interest in this newly configured role which provides an opportunity to make an impact across the whole of the Civil Service. Within the DfE you will help us achieve world-class education, training and care for everyone, whatever their background. You will lead our internal DfE transformation programme, focused on being user-centred, delivering end to end, making evidence based decisions and empowering ourselves and others. You will build our capability within the DfE, in particular putting equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of what we do. Across the Civil Service, you will support the Head of the Policy Profession, DfE (Jonathan Slater), leading work to build capability and innovate in how we deliver policy across government, putting users of public services and outcomes at the heart of our work. You will act as an advocate and sponsor for the following three cross-government capabilities: the Policy Profession Unit, the Policy Lab and the Open Innovation Team. You will bring inspiring and empowering leadership to a newly formed directorate of committed and talented colleagues and work closely with senior officials within DfE, across the Civil Service and beyond. You will shape departmental and Civil Service direction at an extraordinary time and bring exceptional leadership to once-in-a-lifetime challenges. Further information about the role and what we are looking for is detailed in this pack. I look forward to hearing from you.

Paul Kett Director General, Higher Education, Further Education, International and Transformation Group 2 About Us: Overview

The Department for Education is responsible for education, children’s services, higher and further education policy, apprenticeships and wider skills in England, and equalities. We work to achieve a highly educated society in which opportunity is equal for all, no matter what their background or family circumstances. We are a government department that works with 18 agencies and public bodies. Further information about the department can be found at www.education.gov.uk.

We are responsible for: Our transformation aims: • Teaching and learning for children in the We are transforming the DfE to become a more brilliant policy and delivery department. early years and in primary schools; Focusing on how we can get better at delivery and tackling what holds us back, our four • Teaching and learning for young people transformation aims help us work better together and create a workplace that is more: under the age of 19 years in secondary • user-centred schools and in further education; • empowered • evidence-based • Apprenticeships and wider skills; • focused on end-to-end delivery • Supporting professionals who work with children and young people; DfE is a great place to work and we want to make it even better. We want to create an environment that truly reflects the people we serve. We want to provide opportunities for • Helping disadvantaged children and talented people to fulfil their potential, regardless of their background. young people to achieve more; • Making sure that local services protect All of this will enable us to share the vision for 'A Brilliant Civil Service'. and support children. 3 About Us: Policy Profession, Policy Innovation Unit

Policy Innovation Unit is made up of the Open Innovation Team and Policy Lab Policy Profession Unit (PPU)

PPU supports the Head of Policy Profession, Jonathan Slater, and all departmental and agency Heads of Profession build policy making capability:  ensuring the continued development of Policy Lab develops better ways of making professional capability (from professional policy, demonstrating how policy can be standards, entry level apprenticeships to the designed with the people it affects. Executive Masters with LSE)  knowledge sharing – incl. case studies and lessons learned across public service  strengthening our career development offer, incentives and people practice  building relationships in support of capability The Open Innovation Team works with building– incl. other professions, academics and academics and other experts to help across public & private sectors generate analysis and ideas for policy. The diverse and multidisciplinary team is  learning from, and sharing with, other made up of designers, ethnographers and administrations around the world Recent customers across government include policy makers. Our current focus is the future of policy making. This the Department for Education, Foreign Office, includes ensuring policy making is more people centred Ministry of Justice, Home Office, and end to end delivery orientated, as well as building and Department for Culture, more depth of experience in our capability. Media and Sport.

Our current university partners are Brunel, We champion open policy making and deliver Essex, Lancaster and York, but we work with policy projects for clients across government all universities. on a cost recovery basis. 4 Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is We are committed to understanding, respecting and What’s in it for me? representing as broad a range of views and backgrounds as committed to becoming We want to maximise the potential of everyone we have in UK society. We know that diverse perspectives who chooses to work for us – regardless of the most inclusive and experiences are critical to an effective, modern Civil background. employer in the UK. Service. If you’re interested in becoming a world class Our vision is to ensure the Civil Service represents modern leader, developing your career with us – starting Britain and is a truly inclusive employer – an example to with this interesting and challenging role – or other employers. We will create an organisation where doing things differently and inspiring colleagues, diversity is not only respected and valued – but celebrated. then the Civil Service is the place for you.

Our passion for diversity and equality means creating a work environment for all employees that is welcoming, respectful, engaging, and enriched with opportunities for personal and professional development. What’s next? You’ve taken the first step and looked through this job pack to understand the skills and experience needed to perform this role. Now join us in achieving our ambitions and let us help you achieve yours About the role

You will bring inspiring, confident and empowering leadership to a newly formed directorate - sponsoring established teams, building new capabilities, to shape and realise the opportunities of collaboration across a set of transformational teams. The teams include those dedicated to improving our capability as a Brilliant Civil Service, in support of the Head of the Policy Profession, DfE Permanent Secretary, Jonathan Slater:

 Policy Innovation Unit consisting of the Policy Lab and Open Innovation Team which work across Government (the Cabinet Office is internally consulting on the transfer of Policy Innovation Unit to the Department for Education from 1 September 2020).

 Policy Profession Unit which supports the Policy Profession programmes across Government. And teams dedicated to improving our capability and culture within the DfE:

 DfE Transformation team, leading our internal change programme as it enters a new phase: ‘Future DfE’.

 DfE Project Race. A project team focused on DfE’s culture and improving the lived experience of DfE BAME staff.

 An Equality team focused on improving outcomes in DfE policy and delivery in support of the Public Sector Equality Duty, and providing the DfE link with the new Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities.

Key relationships will include the DfE Permanent Secretary to ensure alignment of transformation to DfE Future and wider Civil Service reform and in support of his cross-Civil Service Head of Policy Profession role, as well as with: • Heads of Policy Profession across Departments and the Civil Service Reform team in Cabinet Office. • Directors General and the Senior Leadership Group within DfE. • DfE HR to ensure alignment with Diversity and Inclusion, Organisational Development and Design and People functions. 6 Responsibilities

• You will bring together your new Directorate under a shared focus and ensure • Equality and diversity is hardwired into DfE policies • Project Race has the senior sponsorship and leadership needed to successfully implement its strategy • The Policy Innovation Unit delivers state-of-the-art policy projects for commissioners across government, demonstrating better ways to make people-centred policy (Policy Lab) and deepening collaboration with outside expertise (Open Innovation Team). • The Policy Profession Unit develops and delivers the change programme for policy making across government, in line with Civil Service reform, including all profession capability programmes and people practices under the leadership of the Policy Profession Board. • DfE transforms into the new organisation it needs to become by leading on the identification, definition, alignment and implementation of change initiatives to support the delivery of Secretary of State priorities and wider Civil Service reform; • You will support, empower and develop high performing Deputy Directors and ensure they working as one coherent team; setting clear expectations and responsibilities; • You will represent DfE across Government including on behalf of the Permanent Secretary to drive professional development in policy making across government;

• You will be an active member of the Higher and Further Education Senior Leadership Team. 7 Essential Criteria

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the following essential criteria:

• Proven track record of operating successfully in a senior leadership role, demonstrating the ability to deliver through others including through coaching and professional development; • Recognised as an inclusive leader with a track record of championing the importance of diversity and belonging; • Experience of leading organisational change, particularly building capability and transforming culture and behaviours in a complex organisation; • Experience of leading multidisciplinary teams; with a good understanding of a public policy context; • Ability to influence at board-level and work collaboratively across organisational boundaries.

8 Recruitment Process

Application Process

1. To apply for this role, you need to complete an online application via the Civil Service Jobs portal Applications will be accepted until 23:55 on Thursday 27th August. You will be invited to complete a Personal Statement section of up to 1,250 words and a CV section. Your Personal Statement and CV will be considered by the selection panel against the Essential Criteria (listed on page 8 of this pack). Please note: if we receive a large number of applications, we will sift on the first two essential criteria.

2. Shortlisted candidates will: a. need to attend a Staff Engagement Panel (which typically takes up to 1 hour to complete) during weeks commencing 7th and 14th September. This will be held virtually. b. need to complete online psychometric assessments during w/c 7th September c. be invited to a panel interview. This will also be held virtually on Friday 25th September. You will be asked to prepare a presentation for the interview (further information will be shared with shortlisted candidates) and you will be asked questions to further assess your Experience and Strengths using the Civil Service Strengths Dictionary.

There will be an opportunity for shortlisted candidates to have an informal telephone discussion with the recruiting line manager, Paul Kett to discuss the role in more depth prior to final interview.

Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with us via: [email protected] Selection Panel

Jan Cameron Paul Kett Emma Stace Azziz Hussain Chief Digital and HR Business Partner Civil Service Director General, Higher Technology Officer Commissioner Education, Further Education, International and Transformation Group Expected Timeline

Advert Closing Date Thursday 27th August 23:55

Shortlist w/c 31st August

Assessments w/c 7th and 14th September

Interviews Friday 25th September

11 Salary and Benefits

Salary This includes £93,000  25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a  Generous paid maternity and paternity leave Standard pay rules apply for existing civil sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service. which is notably more than the statutory servants. Candidates that are new to the This is in addition to 8 public holidays. minimum offered by many other employers; Civil Service and SCS will be expected to and start at the band minimum. This will be complimented by one further day paid privilege entitlement to mark the Queen’s  Childcare benefits Location Birthday.  Interest-free loans allowing you to spread the All DfE sites. Candidates who can be cost of an annual travel season ticket or a based in Coventry, Sheffield or  A competitive contributory pension scheme that new bicycle. Manchester offices particularly you can enter as soon as you join where we will  Season Ticket and Bicycle Loan Interest-free encouraged. make a significant contribution to the cost of your loans allowing you to spread the cost of an pension; where your contributions come out of annual travel season ticket or a new bicycle. your salary before any tax is taken; and where Benefits your pension will continue to provide valuable  Comprehensive employee benefits benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to programmes, including cycle to work scheme, Whatever your role, we take your continue to work or die before you retire. discounts, employee assistance and other career and development seriously, and advice programmes and support services want to enable you to build a really  Access to Flexible Working Schemes allowing you to vary your working day as long as you  The opportunity to use onsite facilities successful career with the Department including fitness centres and staff canteens and wider Civil Service. It is crucial work your total hours (where applicable). that our employees have the right skills to develop their careers and  Occupational sick pay. meet the challenges ahead, and you’ll benefit from regular performance and development reviews to ensure this development is ongoing. As a Civil Service employee, you’ll be entitled to a large range of benefits. 12 Role of the Civil Service Commission

The selection panel, working to the standards required by the Civil Service Commission, will assess applications on merit and will employ open and transparent processes in determining the candidate considered most suitable for this appointment.

The Civil Service Commission has two key functions: 1. Providing assurance that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. For the most senior posts in the Civil Service, the Commission discharges its responsibilities directly by overseeing the recruitment process and by a Commissioner chairing the selection panel. 2. Hearing and determining 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.

More details of the Commissioners’ role in Civil Service recruitment and a downloadable copy of the Recruitment Principles can be found at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should, in the first instance, contact the SCS Recruitment Team at the Department of Education [email protected] If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the department, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service- recruitment/complaints/