North Scotland Service Leader

Job summary

The North Scotland Service Leaderrole is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives, through the power of work. Delivering through the geographically vast area of the North of Scotland; from Shetland to Inverness, from Buckie to Fort William and from Aberdeen to Stornoway.

You’ll be at the heart of delivering on the UK Government's employment ambitions. Leading and inspiring dedicated teams of multi-disciplinary professionals to improve opportunities for all through work and tackle poverty by maximising employment. Ultimately delivering a high-quality welfare system that leaves no one behind. To achieve this, you will need to engage and influence, at senior levels, the wider UK Government, Scottish Government and Scottish Local Authorities.

Applicants should only apply for roles where they can reasonably commute daily to and from North Scotland.

Job description

• Lead the geographically vast North District of over 300 staff across 16 Jobcentres, using full range of levers to drive the delivery of a high-quality welfare system.
• Accountable for the quality, performance and leadership of multi-disciplinary teams across North’s Jobcentre and Employer and Partnership Teams.
• Lead our Employer and Partnership Strategy focused on bringing the concurrent powers of the UK Government and Scottish Government to bear on our labour market to improve opportunities for all, through work.
• An active member of the Scotland and North England Senior Leadership Team. Including driving forward the DWP priorities, transforming and modernising our services, visible senior leadership, developing the strategic narrative, and owning communications with clarity and conviction.
• Build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, at Director level, to influence and drive forward DWP strategic priorities.
• As a Senior Leader, you will role model DWP values and behaviours to create an environment that is inclusive, where people can be their best.

This job description is not exhaustive and may change over time depending on Departmental priorities.

Extensive travel including overnight stays is required in this role, both across the 16 sites in the District (full details in the candidate pack) and as being a part of the Scotland and North England Senior Leadership Team.

This role requires the successful candidate to be fully office based and is not suitable for hybrid working.

Person specification

Key Criteria

• You’ll be a proven senior leader, able to lead teams across multiple locations, disciplines and grades through complex and challenging work by building high performance and a positive work culture.
• You’ll have strong experience of delivering a high quality, cost-effective service. Using a fully array of data and insight to drive continuous improvement.
• You’ll be able to develop and articulate a strong strategic vision which engages people and provides clear directions, to deliver against DWP priorities.
• You’ll have strong leadership experience of delivering exception customer service and outcomes through the teams you lead.
• You’ll have strong experience of working collaboratively with key stakeholders, both internally and externally, at senior levels to influence and gain commitment to DWP priorities.
• You’ll be experienced in leading and managing organisational change, at senior levels. Providing coaching and leadership interventions to develop the leaders in your teams.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Presentation question 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 a written sift followed by an interview:

How to Apply:

Part 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 word max per question)

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

1. Describe a significant organisational change which you led that created better outcomes for customers and colleagues. What insight inspired this change, how did you motivate and bring others with you, and how did you ensure strong risk management, assurance and compliance throughout?
2. Explain how you have used management information and customer insight to identify the root cause of underperformance, and how you worked to overcome barriers and deliver sustainable improvements at pace, maximising outcomes for customers.
3. Provide an example of when you influenced senior stakeholders and external partners working across an organisation to resolve and deliver a cross-cutting service.

Please note anything over the 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 Aberdeen or Inverness, 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
• Communicating & Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Success Profiles Candidate Overview Accessible Version Opens in new window (docx, 80kB)CS_Behaviours_2018 Opens in new window (pdf, 1043kB)DWP Terms and Conditions January 2024 Opens in new window (docx, 27kB)Candidate Pack - G6 North Scotland Service Leader Opens in new window (pdf, 836kB)