Head of Product Management
Home Office
Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 10th July 2024
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Information Technology
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About the job
Job summary
The Home Office is here to make our country safer. As well as working to protect the most vulnerable, reduce crime and enforce the law, we also work to, and have a proud history of, providing refuge to those who have been displaced or are seeking asylum. Whether it is fighting crime, protecting our borders or combating slavery, the Home Office (HO) is at the cutting edge of public policy in this country and our work is some of the most challenging and rewarding in government.
The role of the Public Safety Group, which sits within the HO, is to keep the public safe by protecting the vulnerable, cutting crime, disrupting the highest harm criminals, and ensuring that our police, fire and rescue services are as trusted, efficient and effective as they can be in delivering front line public services.
The people in our Group develop and implement policy, provide funding, and deliver legislation. We make the most of innovation, data, and partnerships to protect the vulnerable, prevent crime, and tackle the highest harm crimes. We work with our partners in law enforcement, establishing governance arrangements at a national, regional, and local level.
Britain’s emergency services work 24/7 to serve the public in some of the most dangerous and challenging situations. To help them do their job even better the Emergency Services Mobile Communication Programme (ESMCP) is creating the next generation mobile communications network, including secure and resilient voice and broadband data services, which will be used by thousands of front-line police officers, paramedics and fire-fighters.
This new Emergency Services Network (ESN) will transform how our blue-light services respond to incidents, offering better mobile coverage, leading to faster response times. ESN will allow emergency service professionals to work together more efficiently and effectively when incidents and accidents occur by sharing data across the new digital network. The new network is dynamic and can take advantage of new technology as it develops, making sure that those doing the vital job of protecting the public and saving lives get the best and most modern communications tools available.
ESMCP is a pan-government, cross departmental, programme based within the Home Office. The programme has representation from the emergency services at both operational and departmental levels and has close working involvement from the suppliers of the ESN technology. This is an exciting programme, delivering cutting edge technology which will directly impact people’s lives.
Job description
As the Head of Product Management, you will be accountable for ensuring that the ESN cradle-to-grave user experience is optimised and integrated for all products and capabilities across a highly complex delivery programme.
Working closely with a wide-reaching and agile team you will help shape and influence the delivery of quality products and continuous improvement, supporting and embedding product centric values and principles across the programme.
You will develop a comprehensive knowledge of user needs and business goals to frame, and solve problems, and set priorities for delivery teams. You will be responsible for the overall vision and quality of the product being delivered, in conjunction with Product Managers and/or senior programme leadership.
You will work within ESN Live Services Team and work closely with ESN Service Management, ESN Service Operations, and the wider ESMCP programme workstreams as well as the suppliers and the Emergency Services organisations’ representatives.
The role is being advertised in either Bristol or London, however the post holder may be expected to travel occasionally to either location, as well as occasional travel to supplier locations. The cost related to this travel will be met by the business area.
This role is available on a Full-time basis as well as Compressed hours. Due to the nature of the role and business requirements, we are unable to consider a Part-time working option. Candidates should take this into consideration before submitting their application.
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estates capacity.
Person specification
We are seeking an experienced product manager, adept at leading, managing and developing a products team which will include external supplier contributors and will encompass the whole product lifecycle through a jointly managed product lifecycle framework.
The initial focus will involve extensive internal and external stakeholder management, requiring a high degree of organisation and collaboration to ensure alignment with other parts of the programme.
You will be the strategic lead on the ESN product portfolio and roadmap, backed up with excellent and confident communications skills and using your knowledge of the market, data and insight to create a compelling product vision.
This role is only partially defined at this time, giving the Head of Product scope and flexibility to build and manage the direct and virtual teams to deliver the best results.
ESN strives for a collaborative delivery approach and the Head of Product will be expected to promote an environment of continuous improvement, exchanging ideas and learning lessons across the Live Services / Delivery functions and other ESN teams.
Essential Criteria:
The successful candidate must be able to clearly demonstrate evidence of the following:
- Expertise in product strategy development with a proven capability in defining and executing product / programme strategies within a technology field.
- A proven ability to build, develop and lead motivated, engaged, high performing multi-disciplinary teams to deliver successful outcomes across all phases of the product lifecycle.
- Ability to champion product objectives across multiple suppliers in a complex programme.
- Be a confident and passionate champion of product across all areas and at all levels of a programme.
- Strong stakeholder management skills: Exceptional ability to engage and communicate with stakeholders at all levels, ensuring alignment, managing expectations, and fostering productive, collaborative relationships.
- Experience of project, programme, or portfolio management, as well as proven expertise in product management.
Desirable Criteria:
The desirable professional skills, knowledge or experience that suit this role include:
- Identifying process improvements and defining best practice, inspiring teams to follow this.
- Understanding of Lean, Agile and DevOps principles within a Product-centric delivery model.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Changing and Improving
- Delivering at Pace
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
As part of the application, you will be asked to complete:
- A CV detailing your skills.
- Statement of Suitability (Personal statement) (1250 words maximum).
- Evidence of the lead behaviour 'Communicating and Influencing' (250 words maximum).
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The Statement of Suitability must be aligned to demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the job advertisement.
The sift will be held on the Statement of Suitability and the lead behaviour.
Your CV will not be scored, but instead will be used to provide further context on your personal statement, and support conversations at interview.
In an event where a high volume of applications are received, an initial sift will take place using the lead behaviour 'Communicating and Influencing'. Candidates who pass the initial sift will be either progressed to a full sift or straight to interview.
Successful candidates shortlisted for interview will be tested on a blended approach of Strength based questions (no preparation necessary) and Behaviour based questions
In addition, you will be asked to prepare a presentation to be delivered at interview (details to be disclosed closer to the interviews).
Sift and Interview Dates
The sift will take place week commencing 22nd July 2024
Interviews will take place week commencing 19th August 2024
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
Interviews will take place remotely. Candidates will be required to have access to:
- A laptop (personal or work) with a working webcam
- Good internet connection
- Microsoft Teams
It is advisable to access your interview from a windows operating system laptop, desktop, phone or tablet as there is no guarantee that Microsoft Teams will work without issue on an Apple laptop, tablet or desktop.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to time constraints we may not be able to offer alternative interview date(s). It is therefore expected that candidates who are successful at sift stage will make themselves available during the above time frame given.
Further details and instructions will be provided closer to the scheduled interview.
Further Information
For meaningful checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years if the role requires CTC clearance, 5 years for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
A reserve list of successful candidates may be held for a period up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made in merit order.
We often have similar roles available at different grades. If a candidate is suitable for a similar role or a lower grade than they have applied for, we may offer the candidate that role without the need for them to go through a further selection process.
Please note: The successful candidate will be required to hold or be willing to secure Security Check (SC) clearance.
Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.
We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer.
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.
For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application.
Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details.
Transfer Terms: Voluntary.
If you are invited to an interview you will be required to bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks.
Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.
Any move to the Home Office 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
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is 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 Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.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
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
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Home Office Resourcing Centre
- Email : HORCCampaignTeamHSGPSGandMBG@homeoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
HORecruitment.GRS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.
