Government Engagement Principal
Ofwat (Water Services Regulation Authority)
Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 6th November 2024
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About the job
Job summary
We have an excellent opportunity to join our recently expanded Wales and Government Engagement team (WGE) on 12-month fixed-term basis.
The strategic priorities of the WGE team are to ensure a consistent, connected, and strategic interaction with UK and Welsh governments, and support Ofwat’s Senior Leadership Team and Directors to hold constructive relationships with key partners. They lead on engagement with government in cross-cutting policy areas (e.g. regulatory reform), helping to shape and inform policy to deliver the best outcomes for the consumer. Additionally, they analyse legislation and policy to provide impact and risk analysis and support the development of government consultation responses.
Working as a Principal within the team, you will play a crucial role in facilitating interactions between Ofwat and various stakeholders within different UK government departments. This position is designed to ensure effective communication and collaboration with these stakeholders to support Ofwat's objectives and initiatives.
Working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment you will participate in open policy debates, sharing views, challenging assumptions and representing the team and Ofwat. Extensive external engagement will include building consensus with stakeholders as well as defending and explaining our policies when necessary.
Developing and maintaining excellent relationships will be key to this role, where networks of influence will need to be built. You'll be responsible for key interactions with UK Government and will support our CEO and Chair's interactions with these organisations as well as with Ministers.
You can find out more about the role, why you should join Ofwat, our strategy, values and our framework for success in the attached Information for Candidates Pack.
Job description
In this role you will be expected to:
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders in various UK government departments.
- Act as the primary point of contact for government-related inquiries and communications.
- Coordinate and manage meetings, briefings, and other interactions between Ofwat and government stakeholders.
- Provide strategic advice and support to Ofwat's leadership on government engagement matters.
- Monitor and analyse policy developments and legislative changes that may impact Ofwat's work.
- Prepare and deliver clear and concise reports, presentations, and other communication materials for government stakeholders.
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment and consistency in government engagement efforts.
Person specification
To be successful in this role you will need the below essential experience, skills, knowledge and attributes:
Experience, skills and knowledge
- Proven experience in UK government engagement, public affairs, or a related field (Lead criterion).
- Demonstratable understanding of the UK government structure and processes.
- Experience of building and maintaining effective relationships and partnerships with a diverse range of (political) stakeholders.
- Experience of analysing complex information to construct advice and inform recommendations.
- Experience of working collaboratively and flexibly within a fast-paced evolving environment.
- Strong oral and written communication skills including the ability to tailor your communication style and messaging for different audiences.
- Experience of meeting challenging deadlines, managing multiple priorities while demonstrating the ability to take initiative and work independently.
Attributes
- Delivers outcomes
- Makes relationships count
- Adaptable thinker
- Promotes collaboration
Attributes as per Ofwat's Framework for Success for Principal Band. You can read more about Attributes here.
Benefits
Why You Should Join Us:
We’re forward-thinking, creative, innovative, and ambitious. We constantly push the boundaries and embrace new ways of working.
With us, your work matters, your voice is heard, and your impact is felt. Ours is a culture of trust, flexibility, autonomy, collaboration, and innovation. We all want positive change for water customers, the environment, and the future of water.
But for us, change is more than what happens on the outside – we’ve always pushed boundaries internally, too. From becoming the first Civil Service organisation to achieve ‘Smarter Working’ status, to gaining our prestigious ‘Smarter Working Maturity’ award, we’ve consistently demonstrated our commitment to embracing innovative ways of working. Our people do their best work when given freedom over where, when, and how they work. Which is why we trust our teams to balance meaningful collaboration in the office with the flexibility of working from home.
You will also benefit from:
- Excellent employer pension contributions of 28.97% (around £15,900 to £21,700 per annum for this role).
- 27.5 days leave (25 days annual leave + 2.5 days privilege leave) increasing to max 32.5 days with each year of service, plus bank holidays
- Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail
outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership. - Flexible working arrangements that suit your lifestyle.
- Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies.
- Up to 3 volunteering days per year.
- Generous shared parental leave and pay.
- Enhanced sick pay.
- Regular development opportunities.
- Health and wellbeing initiatives.
- Season ticket loan for home-to-office travel.
- Cycle-to-work scheme.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
How to apply
Apply through the Civil Service Jobs website where you’ll be asked to create an account and complete an application form (CV and personal statement). If you’re unable to make an electronic application, please contact recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk and we will support you in completing your application.
Please ensure you have submitted your application in full ahead of the deadline listed below. Unfortunately, we won't be able to consider late applications.
Please see the candidate guidance on our website for more detail and tips on how to best make your application.
Selection timetable
- Closing date: 06 November 2024
- Sifting: 07-08 November 2024
- Interview date(s): 20-22 November 2024
Assessment process
Sift Stage
At sift stage we assess your application against key essential skills, experience, and knowledge, listed above.
At sift stage we will assess your application (CV and Personal Statement) against criterion 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 listed in the person specification (Experience, Skills & Knowledge) above.
In the event of receiving a large number of applications, a pre-sift may take place on just the following lead criterion:
- Proven experience in UK government engagement, public affairs, or a related field.
In your personal statement, please tell us how your skills and experience meet the lead criterion, with examples if appropriate.
Please note that if a high volume of candidates meet the minimum pass mark at sift stage, we will only progress the highest scoring candidates to interview. Candidates not invited to interview, who have achieved the minimum pass mark, will be placed 'on hold' until the final stage of the assessment process is completed. Should the role/s remain unfilled, candidates placed 'on hold' may be invited to interview in merit order.
Interview Stage
Our transparent interview process involves candidates receiving a list of attribute-based questions in advance. This has been proven to help neurodiverse candidates and others to perform better at interview and is part of our inclusive culture.
We will assess your Experience, Skills and Knowledge as well as Attributes (set out in the professional requirements section) at Interview Stage.
You can read more about Attributes in Ofwat’s Framework for Success.
As part of the interview process, we will require short presentation. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates upon invitation to interview.
Please note that the interviews will be conducted via video conferencing software such as Microsoft Teams.
If the assessment process identifies more appointable candidates than roles available, a reserve list will be created for 12 months from which further appointments in merit order can be made.
If you have any queries about any aspect of this role, selection process, or you require any reasonable adjustments please email recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk.
Please read the attached "Candidate Information Pack" for details on terms and conditions.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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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 : recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk
- Email : recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk
Further information
