Debt Strategy Manager
Home Office
Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 21st November 2024
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About the job
Job summary
The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
Corporate and Delivery Directorate works closely with the Home Office’s policy and operational commands to enable us together to deliver the department’s priorities. The directorate is comprised of different teams and professional functions, including Commercial, Finance, People, Portfolio and Project Delivery, Security, Estates and Information and Digital, Data and Technology.
The Finance Transactions Strategy, Policy and Process Unit is responsible for developing strategies, policies and processes governing financial transactions; ensuring they remain fit for purpose and meet Home Office needs. This central expertise supports various business areas within the Department; delivering services to an ever-changing business and making the best use of technologies to drive continuous improvement and customer service excellence.
The purpose of this role is to support the Head of Debt Strategy to develop and manage a long-term debt strategy. The role also requires the post holder to ensure that the strategy is underpinned by effective and robust policy and guidance.
Job description
The Debt Strategy team is a small team that is responsible for managing the collection of outstanding debt and all Order to Cash processes for Home Office. The team manage collection of debt through 3rd parties ensuring external providers align and follow contractual requirements set out to them, whilst also seeking out ways in which processes and strategies can be improved for increased collection results. To ensure Government is aligned in their approach to debt collection, regular Cross-Government meetings are held which the team attend and contribute to confirm our policies are up to date.
As Order to Cash process owners the team liaise with the wider business where issues may arise that need to be resolved, as well as to identify and implement improvements that can be made to the process and guidance.
Due to the nature of the work, this role is full time only.
Occasional travel will be required to attend quarterly meetings with a supplier and other face to face meetings where required in various locations, possibly requiring overnight stays.
We are looking for a post-holder who has experience of developing self and teams with minimal supervision, strong organisational and time management skills, and model a keen sense of team spirit and interact in a way that brings out the best in others.
Responsibilities
You will be responsible for the following key tasks:
• Provide support for the effective management of debt and delivery of the Home Office debt strategy
• Seek out and contribute to the implementation of new initiatives for improving collection rates, and reducing the amount owed to the Department
• Manage the day-to-day relationships with business partners within the Debt Management contracts, Shared Services Connected Ltd (SSCL) and Cabinet Office to review process issues and implement continuous improvement
• Ensure that staff resources are used effectively and workloads managed
• Support performance, including identifying areas for improvement by using recognised continuous improvement principles
• Attend and contribute to regular internal and external meetings, including Cabinet Office and other government departments, and feedback to senior managers
• Deputise for the Head of Debt Strategy in their absence
The role may require the post holder to manage a team member(s) who carries out activities to meet service level agreements, whilst ensuring that corporate targets are delivered.
Note: An employee may be required to carry out other duties within the scope of the grade and within the limits of their skill, competence and training.
Person specification
Essential criteria:
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Practical experience of Excel
• Experience of managing and developing self and teams with minimal supervision
• Ability to develop effective relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders
• Ability to influence and implement process and policy changes
• Experience of working in a debt management environment in a large organisation
Desirable criteria:
• Knowledge of finance processes and procedures
• Experience of chairing and influencing meetings with both internal and external stakeholders at a senior level
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
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 employer contribution of 28.97%
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.
We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.
As part of the application process, you will first be asked to confirm your eligibility by providing some basic personal information.
After submission of this first stage, you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal and Numerical Tests.
1. Online Test by 21st November 2024
If you successfully pass these tests, you will then be invited to complete the full application form. Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests and full application form is 23:55 on 21st November 2024. If you fail to complete the online tests or full application before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn.
Guidance for the tests will be available when you are invited to take the tests. The tests are administered online and accessed via the Civil Service Jobs website.
You cannot complete the tests on a mobile phone or tablet.
Following successful completion of your tests, you will then be asked to complete the full application form.
2. Application by 21st November 2024.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:
- CV detailing job history, qualification and skills
- Personal Statement (maximum 1000 words)
Your CV should consist of your career history, qualifications and skills, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be used to provide further context on your personal statement and scored against the essential criteria.
The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.
For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.
3. Sift – week commencing 2nd December 2024
The sift will be held on the Personal Statement and CV.
The CV will be scored for all candidates. Those candidates who achieve the minimum pass score for the CV will progress to a further sift where the Personal Statement will be scored. These candidates will receive sift scores for the CV and Personal Statement. Candidates who fail to meet the minimum pass score for the CV will not have their Personal Statement scored and will only receive a sift score for the CV.
4. Interview – are expected to take place from 6th January 2025.
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview which will be:
- Behaviour (as listed in the job advert) based questions.
Interviews will be carried out via video. Candidates will be required to have access to:
- A laptop (personal or work) with a working webcam
- Good internet connection
- Microsoft Teams
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.
A reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.
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 to go through a further selection process providing the role has the same behaviours and essential skills.
Problems during the application process
If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you’ve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact hocandidates.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.
Location Preferences
You will only be able to select a single location preference so please ensure this is a location that you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at your preferred location and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.
All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
Additional Security Checks
As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.
Further Information
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.
If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.
You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up.
For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. Learn more on our website. Security Checks - Home Office Careers
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Visa sponsorship
We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.
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 – Corporate Enablers
- Email : HORCCampaignTeamCorporateEnablers@homeoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
HORecruitment.GRS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.
