Senior Advisor
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 19th November 2024
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
The Delivery Unit (DU) sits at the heart of MHCLG in the Strategy and Communications Group. This small agile team drives delivery of the department’s top priorities. We do that by combining delivery, policy, analytical and data science expertise to report on the progress of our Minister's priorities from announcement to delivery real-world outcomes. We track delivery progress, identify and analyse why we are on/off track, and intervene to overcome barriers. We define and unpick knotty delivery and policy problems, broker solutions and offer advice. We convene our partners, including those outside government to ensure our outcomes are realised. The work can be fast-paced, but we work to support each other. We work flexibly to respond to the steers of Ministers.
The team is also responsible for managing departmental input into the government’s mission boards, particularly in the development of mission delivery plans. The DU has an excellent reputation for supporting and retaining high calibre staff; we invest heavily in personal development including membership of a cross-Whitehall community of delivery and policy professionals, paid-for participation in specialised training and plenty of senior mentoring. We have a friendly, supportive and open culture.
Job description
This is an opportunity to play a high-profile role in shaping the delivery outcomes of the department. The post-holder will work in a fast-paced environment with opportunity to influence Ministers, senior officials and special advisors. They will need to collaborate with colleagues across the department, other government departments and with our partners in the public and private sector. The post holder will be responsible for tracking delivery of one or more key outcomes of the Ministerial team. This is a developing role, so some responsibilities may change over time. The role holder should be willing to adapt to changing or expanding responsibilities.
At the outset, the post holder will be responsible for:
- Leading one or more key outcomes for the Ministerial team, by tracking delivery progress, analysing progress and then proposing solutions to senior officials and Ministers. This would include planning and managing information gathering from across the department and identifying key risks.
- Leading specific projects or work strands, so this may involve deep dives into particular delivery or policy issues. This would normally involve a literature review, qualitative and quantitative data analysis and fieldwork. You must be willing to travel and visit our partners to understand delivery on the ground.
- Establishing and maintain constructive links with other units, departments and with external stakeholders bringing people together to help focus on delivery and unblock issues.
- Taking responsibility for and maintaining focus on timely delivery of high-quality output, including briefing for ministers, advisers and senior officials. Effectively communicating these updates clearly and succinctly.
The role will require some travel to 2 Marsham Street, Westminster, London.
We are afraid that we cannot offer 1-1 conversations to candidates prior to the application deadline. If you have any questions about the role please attend one of our drop in sessions which will be on the following dates:
- Friday the 8th of November 11:30-12:00
- Thursday the 14th of November 11:00-11:30
Person specification
- Who are responsive, adaptable, and comfortable working with changing priorities, situations, and deadlines at pace. You will need to be resilient to changing demands.
- Can drive delivery in a fast but organised way, comfortable with dependencies and risks.
- With the ability to get a grasp of the complex policy and delivery landscape quickly – taking account of the fundamental choices involved and how to cut through issues quickly.
- With the ability to analyse and evaluate information, data, and evidence – balancing and synthesising the views of a range of stakeholders into concise briefing and options.
- With first-class communication skills – able to communicate complex delivery issues to non-experts in both writing and person, successfully influencing outcomes and confident when presenting to senior officials and Ministers.
- Who can bring together a range of internal and external stakeholders, and sometimes experts, to turn policy into delivery and unblock critical issues.
- Comfortable with working with the political team and being close to the frontline of political and senior official decision-making, whilst being confident engaging with other senior stakeholders.
- Understanding and experience of the role of Delivery Units in government.
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
As part of our pre-employment checking process we will be using your CV to confirm your job history. Please note that by providing us with your CV you are consenting to us using the information enclosed as part of the checking process. Unless stated otherwise in the advert, your CV will not form part of the assessment but will be used for information purposes and only shared with the panel at interview stage.
Our application system is designed to remove as much bias as possible from the recruitment system – this means that a hiring manager does not know your name, your details, see your whole application in one go (or have your CV at review stage unless stated otherwise).
Your answers are randomised and chunked up. This means that each assessor views sets of responses to questions, for example all candidates’ responses to ‘Seeing the Big Picture’ rather than seeing a candidate’s full application. The science behind this is that recruitment can be subject to ordering and fatigue effects and we want to reduce this as much as possible.
Most of our campaigns utilise multiple assessors and so it is possible that each of your answers would be viewed by different assessors.
When writing your application, remember:
- The assessor won’t be reading your answers sequentially.
- Do not assume that the same assessors will have read all of your answers.
- If talking about something in your first answer, make sure that you write the second answer as if you had not written the first (and so on!)
At sift, we will be assessing
Experience (Lead element): What are the top three delivery priorities for MHCLG?
Behaviour: Seeing the Big Picture
Behaviour: Communicating and Influencing
There is a 250 word limit per question.
In the event that we receive a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift using the lead element listed in the advert. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of the following success profiles elements:
Behaviours: Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture, Communicating and Influencing
Technical: Yes - Candidates will be expected to complete a written test at interview stage, the details of which would be provided upon invitation.
Strengths: The strength based questions will require natural responses from the candidates.
In the full campaign we will test the below Success Profile Elements:
Behaviours: Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture, Communicating and Influencing
Experience: Yes
Technical: Yes
Strengths: Yes
We do not consider direct CV applications to our Recruitment mailbox – you must apply for this role via the application link on Civil Service Jobs
Please note that near miss offers may be made at the lower grade to candidates who do not meet the grade criteria for this campaign.
Grade 7 salary
- The salary for this role is £59,946 (London) or £54,531 (National).
- For existing civil servants, the usual policy on level transfer and promotion will apply and is non-negotiable. If you apply for a role that requires a transfer of location, for example if you are transferring from London to a National location, your salary will be adjusted in accordance with our policy on transfer between HQ pay ranges.
Please note that the average employer pension contribution is based upon the National minimum salary for this role. Should your agreed starting salary for this role be different, the average employer pension contribution will be calculated accordingly. If you are a Secondee, this will not apply as you will remain on your home organisation’s terms and conditions.
BENEFITS:
Transfers across the Civil Service on or after 4 October 2018:
Any move to MHCLG 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
For further information about the benefits available to MHCLG employees, please see the attached Candidate Pack.
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION:
- London
- Manchester
- Leeds
- Birmingham
- Darlington
- Wolverhampton
- Bristol
There may be opportunities for candidates to work flexibly depending on the business needs. This will be discussed with the vacancy manager on a case-by-case basis if you are successful for the role.
*Please note: The Darlington Economic Campus (DEC) is a pioneering new cross-government hub which will bring together people across departments and public organisations to play an active role in the most important economic issues of the day. The work of the Campus will make a real difference to people both across the UK and internationally. There will be substantial career opportunities and exciting prospects - a career at the Campus means you will be working at the heart of Government, with access to the benefits and fantastic opportunities offered by the civil service.
For further information on the DEC, please take a look at the attached DEC candidate pack.
SIFT AND INTERVIEW DATES:
Sifting is envisaged to take place from 20th November 2024 with interview dates to be confirmed.
All interviews for this post will be held face-to-face in our 2 Marsham Street office in London.
Shortlisted candidates who wish to be considered for a post nationally and require help with travel costs are asked to please contact the vacancy manager before booking your travel.
Reserve List
In the event that we identify more appointable candidates than we currently have posts available, we will hold applicant details in a reserve list for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made. This may include roles at a lower grade. Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact recruitment@communities.gov.uk to be removed from the reserve list.
CTC (Counter-terrorism Clearance):
Important note
Successful candidates for roles based in our 2 Marsham Street building must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check and the process can take up to 8 weeks to complete.
Please note that successful candidates will need to pass the CTC security checks – this requires you to have been resident in the UK for the past 3 years. Please refer to the MHCLG Notes on Security Clearance section of our Candidate Pack for further information on Counter Terrorism Clearance (CTC). Thank you.
Candidates should also note that with effect from 1st August 2018 the department will also check all applicants who are successful at interview, against the Internal Fraud Database (IFD) held by the Cabinet Office. In accordance with the Civil Service Internal Fraud Policy, any applicant who is included on the IFD will be refused employment by MHCLG. Please see the Candidate Pack for further information on the Internal Fraud Database.
Candidate Pack Information
Please see attached Candidate pack for further information.
Before starting your application it’s very important to make sure that you are eligible to apply and meet the Civil Service nationality requirements. All candidates are expected to read the information provided in the MHCLG candidate pack regarding nationality requirements and rules
Internal Fraud Database
The Internal Fraud function of the Fraud, Error, Debt and Grants Function at the Cabinet Office processes details of civil servants who have been dismissed for committing internal fraud, or who would have been dismissed had they not resigned. The Cabinet Office receives the details from participating government organisations of civil servants who have been dismissed, or who would have been dismissed had they not resigned, for internal fraud. In instances such as this, civil servants are then banned for 5 years from further employment in the civil service. The Cabinet Office then processes this data and discloses a limited dataset back to MHCLG as a participating government organisations. MHCLG then carry out the pre employment checks so as to detect instances where known fraudsters are attempting to reapply for roles in the civil service. In this way, the policy is ensured and the repetition of internal fraud is prevented.
For more information please see - Internal Fraud Register
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 : Frances Parrott
- Email : frances.parrott@communities.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@communities.gov.uk
