Operational Leader – Debt Management
Department for Work and Pensions
Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 20th November 2024
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Operational Delivery
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About the job
Job summary
Do you have a passion for public service? Would you like to make a difference to someone’s life? If so, we would like to hear from you. DWP help people lift themselves out of poverty and to stay out of poverty, through work, saving and support. This is a hugely important public service and our challenge is bigger than ever.
As part of the Counter Fraud and Compliance & Debt (CFCD) Directorate you will be at the heart of DWP’s front line operations helping to change people lives and supporting CFCDs purpose of fighting fraud in the welfare system.
As part of our Debt Team, you will have a varied and exciting role involved in reviewing fraud, error and debt within the department. These roles are unique and challenging, with the aim of helping drive down the level of fraud and error within the benefit system.
Job description
CFCD Higher Executive Officer (HEO) Operational Leaders support the flexible, effective, personalised delivery of customer service, quality and performance across sites. HEO Operational Leaders inspire colleagues through difficult situations, transform performance and are accountable for the effective utilisation of operational resources, delivering improved value for money and driving out inefficiencies.
Key Tasks include:
- Directly line manage a team, provide clear, visible and strong leadership and engage with colleagues to drive high performance and quality.
- Create an inclusive team environment, embracing different individual needs, views and ideas, making it clear to all that bullying, harassment and discrimination is unacceptable.
- Work with internal and external stakeholders, encourage collaborative working between teams, build relationships and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
- Motivate, develop and encourage teams, undertake regular performance reviews, provide coaching, Learning & Development (L&D) and 1-2-1s to develop skills.
- Identify risks to performance achievement and drive forward continuous improvement.
- Monitor and improve the quality of the face-to-face / telephony and end-to-end customer experience, ensuring that ‘one customer, one service, one business’ becomes a reality within DWP.
- Provide relevant information to colleagues regarding changes to policy, legislation and statutory requirements as appropriate, and identify and implement best practice.
- Ensure all security matters (including information protection) are dealt with promptly and sensitively, in line with DWP policies and procedures.
- Use networking and influencing to create, maintain and improve service delivery for all customers.
- Support the identification of priorities and work collaboratively to ensure the delivery of both your and others’ objectives.
Person specification
What we are looking for in our leaders:
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
- A driven, energetic leader who is able to improve quality and consistency within our customer journey.
- Strong collaboration and negotiation skills, with experience of influencing and managing effective stakeholder relationships.
- Excellent communication, presentation and organisational skills.
- Able to innovate and make sound business decisions at pace, through creative thinking and a flexible, agile outlook and approach.
- Able to lead remotely, promote inclusivity and hold a solid understanding of equality and diversity and how it impacts upon service delivery.
- A high level of emotional intelligence, honesty, integrity and a personal demeanour that inspires confidence and loyalty.
- Understanding of the political context within which DWP operates, and ability to set the vision for your teams, with an awareness of wider, long-term aims for CFCD.
- Travel between sites may be required depending on business needs.
Key Criteria
Your evidence will be assessed against the following key criteria. You must provide specific examples to demonstrate these criteria in your Personal Statement.
- You are a confident, inspirational and driven leader, able to take charge of situations and provide direction to those around you, to achieve results ensuring the best use of resources (Lead Criteria).
- You have the skills to gather, interpret and analyse complex information and data from various sources, challenging where appropriate, to reach sound conclusions demonstrating clear decision making (Second Lead Criteria).
- You have the ability to work closely as part of a team, with key partners and stakeholders within and outside of the organisation, navigating complex environments.
- You can present complex information in a clear and concise manner, drawing conclusions and presenting recommendations where appropriate, outlining the considerations you have made.
- You are proactive in developing and maintaining positive and professional working relationships with diverse groups of people and organisations, prioritising the needs of the business while negotiating best outcomes for all stakeholders.
- You can interpret and work within set rules and processes, setting and monitoring progress against milestones whilst still being able to innovate in an ever-changing environment.
- You have a focus on building your own and others capability continually reviewing learning needs and development to ensure changing business requirements can be delivered professionally at pace.
Microsoft Teams Event
We will be holding two Microsoft Teams events to let you know more about these roles. These will take place on the following dates:
Monday 11th November between 13:00 to 14:00 -
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/c04b2060-92e2-4f54-b67d-23df78426380@96f1f6e9-1057-4117-ac28-80cdfe86f8c3
Thursday 14th November between 17:15 and 18:15 -
Please follow the relevant link to register for one of the sessions. The information will be the same on both sessions. Those who attend a Microsoft Teams event may be contacted following the event for evaluation purposes to improve our service.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
Benefits
We also have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
- Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
- Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
- Support for financial well being, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
- Health and well being support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
- Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
- Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
- An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Stage 1 – written application and sift
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a Personal Statement in no more than 1250 words detailing the relevant skills and experience you can bring to the role, based on the key criteria listed. Please pay particular attention to the lead criteria and second lead criteria as if you do not demonstrate these on your application, you will not progress to the interview stage.
When completing your Personal Statement, please read and understand the key criteria thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be 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, what have you done that’s relatable 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, 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. You don’t have to explain the whole process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
If you do not have work-based examples then please give examples from school/college, clubs, volunteering or other activities you have been involved in.
You will also be asked to complete a CV with details of your education, professional qualifications and full employment history. Your CV will not be formally assessed so please put the main evidence of your skills into your Personal Statement. Your CV will be used to add context to your Personal Statement.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead criteria or lead and second lead criteria. If so, we will sift on:
- You are a confident, inspirational and driven leader, able to take charge of situations and provide direction to those around you, to achieve results ensuring the best use of resources (Lead Criteria).
- You have the skills to gather, interpret and analyse complex information and data from various sources, challenging where appropriate, to reach sound conclusions demonstrating clear decision making (Second Lead Criteria).
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to an interview.
**Please note the closing date for your full application is 23:55 on 20/11/2024**
The sift is scheduled to be held from 21/11/2024 to 16/12/2024. These dates made be subject to change.
Stage 2 - Interview
If you pass the written application sift with the required score you will be invited to a blended interview and will receive an electronic notification to your Civil Service Jobs account. The interview will be conducted face to face at Discovery House, Corby, NN17 5BA.
Interviews are scheduled to take place from 06/01/2025, please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change. Interviews will be scheduled Monday to Friday, between 09:00 to 17:00.
Communications will be electronic and/or by telephone therefore it is important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder. Telephone calls may show as a withheld number, it is important that you answer so that your interview can be confirmed.
Preparing for the interview
The interview will take approximately 45 minutes and will consist of behaviour and strength-based questions. A blended interview aims to be more of a conversation offering a more inclusive approach. The behaviour and strength-based questioning explores what you, the candidate, can and have done, but also your potential.
Behaviours
You will be assessed against the Civil Service Behaviours listed above at level 3. To help you prepare and settle into the interview you will be sent the behavioural questions in advance of the interview. These questions should be treated as confidential and should not be shared. The interview panel may ask you other questions which will not be shared in advance, including follow-up questions on behaviours, and those about your strengths.
An example of a behavioural question would be “Tell me about a time when you have had to deal with a difficult customer.”
It may help to use one or more examples of a piece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in and use the WHO or STAR model to explain:
- WHO - What it was? How you approached the work/situation? What the Outcomes were, what did you achieve? or
- STAR - What was the Situation? What were the Tasks? What Action did you take? What were the Results of your actions?
Strengths
It is difficult to prepare for strength type questions. However, you can think through your answers, focus on your achievements and aspects you enjoy and decide how these can be applied in the organisation and role. While strengths questions are shorter and we do not expect a full STAR response, the panel is interested in your first reaction to the question and information or reasoning to support this.
If you do not have work-based examples then please give examples from school/college, clubs, volunteering or other activities you have been involved in.
If you withdraw your application at any stage, it will not be progressed any further.
Stage 3 – offer
Once all interviews have been completed, you will be notified of the outcome by email. Offers will be made in strict merit order to the highest scoring candidate first. The successful candidates will be notified of a start date following successful security checks, which is likely to be during March 2025.
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 time frame you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances*.
- If we 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.
*Note: exceptional circumstances could be when a candidate has requested a contractual part time working pattern and this pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered, or in cases of serious ill health.
You should also 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.
Important information
Candidate pack
It is important that you take time to read the candidate pack which can be found at the bottom of this job advert. This provides further information about the role and working in DWP.
Location
Discovery House, Corby, NN17 5BA. Travel between sites may be required for all roles, depending on business needs.
You should only apply for suitable posts where you can travel to and from your 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 taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.
Working pattern
Part-time, part-year, term-time compressed hours and job-sharing working patterns within working hours will be considered but must meet business needs. We will do our best to let people with existing part time contracts retain their contracted hours provided they are in line with current business needs. Please note that successful candidates with agreed alternative working patterns will be required to work full time for specific periods to complete all training and consolidation. Currently initial training can last for up to 4 weeks. Hybrid working will not commence until the training and consolidation period has been successfully completed.
Hours of work
The full-time working week in DWP is 37 hours. You may be required to work at any time between the hours of:
- 7:45am and 8:00pm on any day between Monday to Friday, and
- 8:45am to 5:00pm on Saturday.
Managers will agree working patterns with successful applicants within these business hours and review these as appropriate. You will be given advance notice of your personal schedule.
Learning and development
DWP takes development seriously. Our aim is for our colleagues in these roles to be appropriately skilled and qualified – as determined by the business. To support this aim you may be required to undertake a work-based qualification, such as an apprenticeship, which will support you in further developing your professional knowledge and skills for this role and your future career development. The qualification can be undertaken in work time. You agree to take this job on the basis that you may be required to undertake a work-based qualification; your failure to participate fully in the professional programme, once appointed, may be a breach of your employment contract.
If DWP decides that it is no longer a requirement for you to undertake and attain a work-based qualification, it will release you from this obligation. Any decision to release you from this obligation will not be a breach of contract by DWP.
Important
If you hold a level 3 qualification (2 A levels or equivalent) then please bring your certificates with you to the interview if you have them.
Pre-employment checks
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. We understand that you might use artificial intelligence (AI) and other resources for your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, and original and doesn’t include ideas or work that isn’t your own. This is so that your application is authentically and credibly your own.
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.
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
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 : CFCD RECRUITMENT TEAM
- Email : CFCD.RECRUITMENTINBOX@DWP.GOV.UK
Recruitment team
- Email : dwprecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.
