Head of Transformation for Emergencies

Job summary

We are looking for a high energy and creative leader to design and deliver a transformation programme that will strengthen MHCLG's approach to emergency resilience through accelerating uptake of digital, data and Al. This is an exciting time to work in resilience, with an increasingly complex risk environment and opportunities to drive forward a programme of local resilience reform set out in the UK Resilience Action Plan.

You will join the Resilience and Recovery Directorate (RED) which supports local partners and MHCLG in planning for, responding to and recovering from emergencies, providing a critical link between central government and local partners supporting communities on the ground.

Our processes, ways of working and systems are in need of innovation so that we are better leveraging modern technology. You will join at the start of this transformation journey – having freedom to identify the greatest opportunities to deliver value and then design and oversee the delivery of these strands of work. We anticipate delivery will be done in partnership with internal digital and AI teams, with a hybrid approach by working with suppliers too.

You will work closely with colleagues across RED and MHCLG, the Cabinet Office and other central government departments, England's 38 Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) and multi- agency partnerships to develop solutions to shared challenges.

In addition, you will learn how to support emergency response, and be expected to be deployed to do so when needed and contribute to RED's '24/7' monitoring for breaking emergencies.

We will organise two informational sessions to share more about this role. Please contact Junaid Bobat to join these sessions.

Job description

As the Head of Transformation for Emergencies, you’ll:

• Lead the design and delivery of a transformation programme focused on expanding the use of digital tools, modern data practices, and responsible Al
• Be responsible for building the capability and knowledge of the RED directorate in Agile and User-Centred Design principles and embedding this into our processes and ways of working
• Provide excellent line management for at least 3 staff members and leadership for a digital, data and Al unit, building a high-performing delivery culture
• Build strong collaborative relationships with digital, data, AI and analytical operational specialists to support RED's transformation journey
• Work with MHCLG's commercial function as needed to source capabilities and manage suppliers to support delivery
• Be responsible for the development of the programme business case to secure investment, and manage the budget to deliver the required work
• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with the Cabinet Office, Local Resilience Forums and other stakeholders to enable secure and effective data sharin
• Establish and oversee programme governance, ensuring delivery, risks and interdependencies are managed effectively; define and track benefits and outcomes
• Monitor and report on progress, outcomes and impact to MHCLG senior leadership, including through MHCLG's Resilience Board; This will include confidently explaining technical concepts to non-technical audiences
• Ensure compliance with data protection, security and ethical standards throughout the programme; championing responsible Al
• Play your part in emergency response when needed and contribute to RED's 24/7 monitoring for emergencies (approximately 8 weeks 'on call' at evenings/weekends per year). Training will be provided and additional compensation is available for any evening/weekend working required

Person specification

As the Head of Transformation for emergencies, you’ll have:

• Proven experience in leading complex Agile transformation programmes which involve digital tools, data, or Al to successful outcomes in multi-stakeholder environments
• Hands on experience in leading digital programme delivery, including commercial, financial, governance and risk management, managing multiple workstreams in an evolving context
• The ability to understand customer and user needs and develop appropriate, pragmatic, and evidence-based solutions
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts in clear, accessible language for non-specialists and to move from agreement to action
• The ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders to enable and support change
• Commitment to open and collaborative ways of working and continuous improvement, including agile delivery and user-centred design
• Familiarity with modern data and Al practices (e.g., data governance, machine learning operations) and knowledge of data sharing principles, security, and ethical considerations in a public sector context

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £66,620, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government contributes £19,299 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.At MHCLG we offer many benefits that range from tailored career pathways and flexible working to MyLifestyle Childcare Voucher and Cycle to Work Schemes. For more information, please click here.

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

Selection process details

Application and Selection

The application process will be split into 2 stages, testing the following Success Profiles:

Technical, Behaviours, Experience

Please ensure your CV does not contain any personally identifiable information.

Note: We do not consider direct CV applications. All applications must be submitted via the provided application link.

Important: Your CV and Cover Letter must be merged into a single document before uploading.

Stage 1: Sift (CV & Cover Letter)

Experience: Your covering letter should be no more than 1 page referencing how you meet the essential criteria set out in the job description. Please cover all of the criteria.

Most of our campaigns utilise multiple assessors and so it is possible that each of your answers would be viewed by different assessors.

Stage 2: Interview

• Behaviours: Changing and Improving, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service, Developing Self and Others
• Experience: Experience questions will be based around the essential skills and criteria as listed in the job description.
• Technical: You will be assessed as per the essential skills and criteria in the job description – This role aligns with Programme Delivery Manager in the Digital and Data framework

Candidates will be asked to prepare a 5-minute presentation, further details will be provided on invitation to interview.

Sift and Interview Dates

Sifting is envisaged to take place the week commencing 2nd February 2026.

Interviews are envisaged to take place the week commencing 16th February 2026 and are currently being held remotely via videocall. This could be subject to change.

How We Recruit

Find out everything you need to know before applying here..

• Applying
• Sifting
• Interview
• Interview Results & Feedback
• Reserve List
• Near Miss
• Civil Service Grades
• We are a DCS, RIS & GPTWV employer
• Reasonable Adjustments

How to Apply

What you need to know before applying.

• Security Clearance Requirements
• Civil Service Nationality Requirements
• Right to Work
• Artificial Intelligence
• Civil Service Code and Recruitment Principles
• CV Declaration
• Sponsorships
• Salary and Grade
• Existing Civil Servants
• Conflict of Interest
• Location and Flexible Working
• Fixed Term Contracts
• Internal Fraud Database - Internal Fraud Register
• Appeals and Complaints
• Conflict of Interest

Security Clearance Requirements

National Office: + SC

London Office: +SC

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).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

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 : Junaid Bobat
• Email : Junaid.Bobat@communities.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : digitaldatajobs@communities.gov.uk

Further information

If you are unsure about any part of the process or require additional information about the post to enable you to progress your application, you should speak to the Resourcing team - recruitment@communities.gov.uk. Candidates can appeal at any stage of the recruitment process if they believe there has been:

a procedural irregularity

an infringement of the Civil Service equal opportunities policy

exceptional circumstances which were not notified to the interview panel which might have affected performance on the day.

It is important to note that these are appeals about the process not the decision. In the first instance, an appeal should be directed to the MHCLG Resourcing Hub at recruitment@communities.gov.uk.

If the MHCLG Resourcing Hub is unable to satisfactorily resolve your complaint, you may contact put your complaint in writing to the Civil Service Commission, Room G8,1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ or by email to: info@csc.gov.uk

Attachments

1a. MHCLG Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 834kB)1b. Candidate Guidance Opens in new window (pdf, 355kB)1c. Success Profiles Candidate information Opens in new window (pdf, 936kB)Darlington Economic Campus Career Pathways Opens in new window (pdf, 452kB)