Wales Group Partnership Manager & District Senior External Relations Managers
Department for Work and Pensions
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 7th October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
DWP are looking to fill a number of Senior Partnership roles in UC Wales. These are exciting roles which would suit people who thrive when collaborating with others to achieve mutual benefit and excel at developing and maintaining strong lasting relationships with others.
The Wales Group Partnership Role will be based at a UC Work & Health Wales location and expected to spend time each week at Ty William Morgan HMG building in Cardiff.
The District Senior External Relations Manager roles will be based at a UC Work & Health location within the District’s boundaries in either South West Wales or North & Mid Wales.
Job description
The core aim of the Devolution and Group Partnership activity is to contribute to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) objectives through maximising collaborative and joined up working opportunities to accomplish (where possible) mutual benefit.
Group Partnership work strategically to develop and maintain existing relationships across a diverse range of Stakeholders, Employers, Trade Bodies, Policy colleagues and Welsh Government.
There are a variety of Grade 7 roles available. Currently we have the following roles:
Wales Group Partnership Manager role (1 post)
District Senior External Relations Manager (2 posts)
- South West Wales
- North & Mid Wales
We have included more detailed information about each role in the candidate pack.
Person specification
Key Criteria
Candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:
- Evidence of strategic senior leadership and influential relationship building and maintenance both with teams internally, and externally with partners and stakeholders across Wales. (Lead Criteria)
- Demonstrate capability to represent the Department across both policy and delivery agendas in local / national forums, managing complex and challenging conversations, and influencing outcomes.
- Excellent and confident communication, engagement, and presentation skills, with the ability to adapt to a wide range of partner audiences and write clear, concise, and impactful briefings for Senior Leaders and Ministers.
- In-depth knowledge of the local labour market/economy, and a detailed understanding of the services offered to employers and partners by Jobcentre Plus and how these align with devolved areas of responsibility.
- Have strong experience of delivering Change and tangible results at pace to the diverse customers and communities we serve and ability to develop place based strategic focus and continuous improvement aligned to the Departmental strategic outcomes.
- You role model behaviours enabling DWP to be an inclusive place where people can be their best and thrive
Preferable skills
The ability to speak Welsh would be desirable
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Changing and Improving
Benefits
- Generous annual leave 23 days for Full time new entrants (rising to 25 after 1 year), plus all bank holidays.
- Flexible working patterns available
- Competitive maternity, paternity, and parental leave
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
- Employee Assistance with emphasis on wellbeing
- Career and Personal Development through Operational Delivery Profession
- Employee discount schemes
Location
Candidates will be given an opportunity to express a preference for their office base location when offers are made. Locations can be any site within the Wales Universal Credit Group where space allows and with agreement of the Group Director/Demand Management. We will endeavour to meet preferences, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Applicants should apply for suitable posts where they can travel to and from their 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 considered. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
How to Apply
To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process outlined below:
CV
The CV is an on-line tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobsite and there is no requirement to upload your personal CV.
Our CV element is short and will not be scored as part of your application but allows an initial check of eligibility, so please put the main content of your evidence and skills in your personal statement.
Personal Statement
A supporting statement (no longer than 1,250 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the key criteria.
When completing your personal statement, please read and understand the key criteria, as this is what your written evidence will assessed against. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
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 and what have you done that relates to the requirements. You do not have to explain the entire 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 and 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.
In the event of a large number of applications we will use the Lead Key Criteria to initially assess your application at the sift stage. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
The Sift
The sift will be conducted week commencing 07/10/2024.
The interview
There will also be a requirement to undertake a 5-minute presentation as part of the interview, this will be assessed against Seeing the Big Picture Service behaviour. The topic for the presentation and questions for the other 3 behaviours listed in the advert will be sent to candidates five working days in advance of their interview to the email address used in their application. No IT will be required for the 5-minute presentation. Candidates are advised to check their inbox and spam/junk folders regularly once their interview has been booked.
If the questions and presentation topic have not been received prior to your interview, please contact the vacancy holder Richard Bradbury. Contact details can be found at the end of this advert.
The interview will consist of a face to face, blended Interview where we will assess you using a presentation and both Behavioural and Strength based questions. A blended interview aims to be more of a conversation at interview, offering a more inclusive approach. The Behaviour and Strength based questioning explores what the candidate can and has done, but also their potential.
The interview will last approximately 45 to 50 minutes.
Interviews will take place week commencing 28/10/2024 at a Cardiff location, which will be shared as part of the invite to interview process.
Due to time constraints interviews will only be undertaken on the above dates unless advised otherwise.
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. The reserve list may be used to offer future vacancies which arise in Wales Group and across the wider DWP network. Any such offers would be made in strict merit order and the location and job role would be fully explained.
You may be placed on the reserve list if your application is successful, but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note:
- If you accept an offer of a post, you will be expected to withdraw from any reserve lists of campaigns you have applied for, with DWP, at this grade.
- 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 timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list,
- If DWP 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.
Candidates should 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.
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.
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.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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 are 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 : Richard Bradbury
- Email : richard.bradbury1@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.
