Senior Manager within Contract Management and Partner Delivery
Department for Work and Pensions
Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 6th November 2024
Details
Reference number
Salary
London (Inner): £45,724 - £47,986
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Analytical
Finance
Governance
Procurement and Contracts Management
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
Working towards sustainable futures. Championing diversity in the workplace. At the Department for Work and Pensions, it’s all in a day’s work. From HR to Finance, Policy to Communications, this is work that sustains and supports, where everyone’s voice is heard, and our customers are at the heart of everything we do. For a career packed with possibility, a comprehensive benefits package, where we live by our values and have the opportunity to improve the lives of people across the UK, look no further.
Supporting people who need it most. That’s our purpose. Start your own career today. Find out more and apply here.
Do you believe that good governance is crucial to driving good outcomes? Do you enjoy leading teams to gather and evaluate complex information? Are you able to role-model being objective, open-minded, fair and independent? Do you want to be part of a team committed to your continuous professional development?
If so, you should consider becoming a Senior Manager in the Department for Work and Pensions’ Contract Management & Partner Delivery (CMPD) Directorate.
Contract Management and Partner Delivery has overall responsibility for the effective contract management of external suppliers delivering specialist services for our most vulnerable customers, including those who are disabled, have health conditions or are in long term unemployment. This includes performance management, continuous improvement and ensuring every payment made to an external provider is a valid one.
DWP is looking to fill multiple roles in CMPD directorate. The roles available are in various divisions across CMPD, for further information on each division and the locations available please see the candidate pack.
Job description
So, what about the day to day?
- You’ll initially complete the foundation level of the Contract Management Capability Programme.
- You will drive areas of responsibility forward by leading on key areas of work within your area; communicating and presenting with confidence both within the team and to more senior colleagues.
- You’ll provide effective leadership to develop staff/teams by managing team dynamics, considering individual needs and creating a genuine team spirit.
- You’ll drive improvements from conception through to successful conclusion by building and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships, managing conflicting stakeholder views constructively to ensure continuous improvement, communicating confidently both verbally and in writing.
- You will develop and maintain an awareness of wider issues and a consideration of other priorities, sourcing evidence via different streams (e.g. previous performance data, feedback from suppliers, analysis, management information etc.) to effectively contract manage and inform decision making to drive key pieces of work forward.
- You’ll draft formal documentation by following legal, commercial and policy requirements; liaising with relevant stakeholders to gather information and providing response to high level Senior Civil Service information requests, preparing board papers, responding to ministerial work, etc.
- You’ll work closely with cross cutting and controlled correspondence teams within Division, providing support as a Subject Matter Expert for your area of work.
- You will support the delivery of CMPD and DWP aims, objectives and vision, supporting and/or deputising for your G7 Manager if/when required.
- You’ll be responsible for improving your own learning, keeping in mind the need to consistently improve your understanding of the role and methods to be used.
- You will undertake specific ad hoc duties as and when required, in line with operational needs and Directorate/Division requirements.
- You will obtain or maintain specific qualifications required to perform your role.
- You’ll deliver Line Management responsibilities as required.
- You'll be willing to frequently travel to other DWP/Supplier locations, with occasional overnight stays as required.
Hybrid working: These job roles 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.
Person specification
Candidates should demonstrate the following criteria in their personal statement, this is the information which will be used to conduct the written sift:
- Lead Criteria: Proven experience of leading on key areas of work to achieve objectives within the following functions: Governance, Risk Management, Audit, Assurance, Performance or Quality Management.
- Demonstrable experience of analysing and interpreting a range of data from various sources to support decision making.
- Able to demonstrate the delivery of quality outcomes at pace, on competing priorities whilst overcoming setbacks.
- Showcase experience of providing effective leadership demonstrating strong ability to develop staff or teams.
- Evidence ability to confidently communicate and present to a range of stakeholders both internally and externally, via various methods, constructively managing conflict to drive work forward.
- In depth knowledge of drafting formal documentation following legal, commercial and/or policy requirements.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
Alongside your salary, the Department for Work and Pensions contributes 28.97% towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
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 wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
- Health and wellbeing 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
After submission of the first stage of your application, you will be invited to complete a Numerical Reasoning Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final written stage of the application.
Please complete the on-line test as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended). The closing date for both the test and written application is 23:55 on 06/11/2024. If you fail to complete the on-line test and written application before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered on-line and accessed via the Civil Service Jobs (CSJ) website.
At the final written stage of the application, applicants will be asked to provide a Personal Statement of no more than 750 words against the key criteria as outlined above. You will also be asked to provide a short CV listing your skills and experience.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Your CV will only be considered for applications that progress to job offer and will assist the vacancy holders in matching skills to suitable opportunities/locations. It will not form part of the sifting process or be scored.
Sift:
All applications will be sifted according to the key criteria within the person specification section of this advert, using the information you provide on the Personal Statement template supplied in the application process.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead criteria annotated above. If your application proceeds to full sift all criteria will be considered.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Interview:
Applicants meeting the agreed minimum standard will be interviewed using the blended approach testing both Behaviours & Strengths.
Your interview will be conducted by video.
Postings:
You will be asked for your preferences for up to 3 locations, these will tell us where you would prefer to work if you are successful. Please do not select a location unless you are prepared to accept a role in that location.
Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles here.
Successful candidates will be posted in merit order based on your location preferences, where appropriate, and the geographical requirements of the business.
Dependent on your position on the merit list, if none of your location preferences remain at the point we make a job offer, DWP may offer you a role at an alternative advertised location. If we are unable to offer you a role in any of your preferred locations, and you are unable to accept a role at an alternative advertised location, we will add you to the reserve list if one is being held.
The roles available will be based in:
DWP Hub Locations:
- Birmingham - 3 Arena Central, Bridge Street, Birmingham B1 2AX
- Blackpool - Peel Park, Brunel Way, Blackpool FY4 5ES
- Glasgow - Atlantic Quay, Glasgow G2 8SP
- London - Caxton House, 6-12 Tothill Street, London, SW1V 9NA.
- Leeds - Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7UA.
- Manchester - 2 St Peter’s Square, Manchester, M2 3AA.
- Newcastle - Benton Park View, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE98 1BA.
- Sheffield - Hartshead Square, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 2FD.
- Pontypridd - Treforest, Ty Taff, Main Avenue, Treforest CF37 5YN.*
Other non-hub locations:
- Cardiff - Ty William Morgan, 6 Central Square, Cardiff CF10 1EP.*
*For jobs located in Wales, the ability to speak Welsh is desirable.
Important note: Not all roles are available in all locations. Available locations for each Division can be found on Divisional slides 06 - 09.
Frequent travel will be required.
Further Information
Find out more about Working for DWP
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve list candidates will be posted in merit order by location.
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/Disclosure Scotland 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.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
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.
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
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 : CMPD Recruitment Team
- Email : laura.jones4@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.
