Devolution and Strategic Partnership Leader (Scotland)

Job summary

We are seeking an outstanding Devolution and Strategic Partnership Leader to join the DWP - Jobs and Careers Service (JCS) Scotland Leadership Team. This is a unique opportunity to influence and shape strategic partnership activity across Scotland, ensuring DWP’s priorities, programmes and services align effectively with the devolved landscape and key national and regional partners.

This is a diverse and demanding role, in a fast-paced environment which constantly strives to improve customer outcomes.

Applicants should only apply for roles where they can reasonably commute frequently across Scotland, including these key locations – Glasgow, Falkirk and Edinburgh.

Job description

• Lead strategic relationships with major external stakeholders such as the Scottish Government, Social Security Scotland, Skills Development Scotland, the Improvement Service, local authorities, NHS Scotland, Scottish Prison Service, and key third‑sector organisations.

• Build and sustain strong working relationships with the devolved administration in Scotland, supporting the delivery of devolved employment programmes and wider cross‑government collaboration.

• Ensure DWP policy objectives are clearly understood and reflected locally.

• Provide insight and expertise on devolution matters, ensuring alignment between DWP’s objectives and those of Scottish and local government partners.

• Act as a key link between DWP policy, programme delivery, and regional stakeholders, feeding intelligence into DWP’s strategic horizon scanning and operational planning.

• Support effective, joined‑up employment, partnership provision and reserved and devolved funding streams at a Scotland level by avoiding duplication, improving efficiency, and maximising outcomes.

• Understand the Scottish labour market, using insights on employment and skills support to influence policy development and operational delivery.

• Act as a senior point of contact for strategic internal and external discussions, supporting DWP’s external facing roles across Scotland.

• To provide support to Area Directors, Group Directors and Service Leaders to enable appropriate strategic relationships with stakeholders and Parliamentary members across the Group.

• Represent DWP in internal / stakeholder forums and working groups.

• Lead and develop a support team, ensuring high performance and effective delivery against strategic priorities.

Extensive travel including overnight stays is required in this role, both across the key locations listed above, and as being a part of the Scotland and North England Senior Leadership Team.

Person specification

Key Criteria:

• Ability to create a strong, evidence‑based strategic vision.

• Proven systems leadership and ability to engage senior internal and external stakeholders.

• Understanding of devolution with substantial knowledge of Scottish and UK Government devolution and devolved policy frameworks, with the ability to assess and interpret their implications for DWP services.

• Effective communication and presentation skills with the ability to simplify complex issues and present these confidently in person.

• Evidence of leading major changes using project principles.

• As an active member of the strategic Senior Leadership Team, you will contribute to visible, accessible, and effective senior leadership.

• Experience of providing high quality briefings to support senior colleagues at meetings with internal and external partners.

• Strong digital skills.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Presentation at interview

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £75,026, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £21,735 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

DWP 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

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Selection will be by written sift followed by a face-to-face interview.

How to Apply:

Stage 1 - Written sift

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:

A name blind CV - The CV is an on-line tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobs site and there is no requirement to upload your personal CV. Our CV element is short, and allows an initial check of eligibility, so please put the main content of your evidence and skills in your Personal Statement. Your CV allows you to summarise your education, work history, skills and experience which relate to the job you are applying for. Your CV will not be assessed.

A personal statement – Please answer each of the three questions below. Please ensure you fully consider the Key Criteria above when answering these questions. (300 words max per question)

The written sift will be conducted using evidence from your responses to the following key questions and will assess behaviours:

1. Give an example of how you have built and sustained strategic relationships with senior leaders (for example Directors, Chief Executives or equivalents) across multiple organisations to influence priorities or outcomes against a complex and fast-moving landscape.
2. Describe a situation where you had to exercise strategic judgement in a politically sensitive or high-profile environment, balancing competing priorities and perspectives to achieve sustainable outcomes.
3. Explain how you used insight and data to improve service quality at pace across an organisation while balancing strategic and operational demands.

Please note anything over 300 words per question will not be assessed.

Stage 2 - Interview

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a face-to-face blended interview in Falkirk, lasting up to 1 hour. The panel will be a minimum of two/three people and will assess behaviours, strengths and technical skills.

Behaviours to be assessed are:

• Leadership
• Seeing the Bigger Picture
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing.

You will be asked to provide a 5-minute presentation on a specific subject, which you will be provided with in your invitation to interview. You will be allowed to use one single slide if you wish.

Please note, this is not mandatory, and you will not be negatively impacted should you choose not to use a slide.

Candidates will be asked further probing questions to determine suitability for the role.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

The Civil Service uses a Behaviour Framework to assess candidates’ knowledge and skills.

Further Information

At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

Find out more about working for DWP on the DWP Careers Hub.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 3 months from which further appointments can be made.

If you are placed on a reserve list but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note:

• If you are later 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 the post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a contractual Part Time Working Pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered or in cases of serious ill health).
• 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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Disability Confident Scheme

If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.

Reasonable Adjustments

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 the 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.

Hybrid Working

This 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.

If a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for the role and for you, you will normally be required to spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted working hours from your DWP office.

If you have a disability, caring responsibilities, or other circumstances that may affect your ability to meet the minimum office attendance requirement, please discuss this with us using the contact details in this advert.

Integrity, plagiarism and Civil Service Principles

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.

Examples of plagiarism can include:

• Presenting the work, ideas and experience of others as your own
• Copying content or answers from an online or published source that is not your own

Disclosure and Barring Service and Internal Fraud Database Checks

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to 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

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.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check will be carried out.

Important

Visa Information

We strongly recommend that applicants consult with an immigration specialist or qualified advisor to assess their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship before deciding to apply. Please note that while we consider sponsorship requests in accordance with current DWP guidance and Home Office policy, sponsorship cannot be guaranteed.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

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. If you are a current employee and are successful you must be able to be released from your current post within four weeks.

Those on protected TUPE/ COSoP terms and conditions applying on promotion or voluntary permanent level move will adopt DWP’s Terms and Conditions and this may have a different impact on pay and allowances. Please review this prior to acceptance of a role.

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. Accepting a post will be taken to mean acceptance of revised terms & conditions.

Civil Servants applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary minimum or within 10% of existing salary.

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 the Childcare Choices Website.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Shona Garrity
• Email : Uc.scotlandrecruitment@dwp.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dwprecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DWP by email: HR.BUSINESSASSURANCE@DWP.GOV.UK.
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.

Attachments

CS_Behaviours_2018 Opens in new window (pdf, 1043kB)DWP Terms and Conditions January 2024 Opens in new window (docx, 27kB)Success Profiles Candidate Overview Accessible Version Opens in new window (docx, 80kB)Candidate Pack - G6 Devolution and Strategic Partnership Leader (Scotland) Opens in new window (pdf, 620kB)