Pensions Lead - Water Reform

Job summary

The Defra Group Pension team is responsible for providing an HR expert service to Core Defra, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Rural Payments Agency, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, the Environment Agency, and Natural England, as well as several other smaller agencies and bodies. Pensions is a complex and challenging area in HR, and the team consists of subject matter experts and specialists who provide pension expertise and guidance.

We are looking for a Pension Lead to work within our small dynamic Team. This role will initially be focussed on providing expert Pensions advice and guidance to the high-profile Water Reform Programme, as well as playing a key role in the potential transfer of colleagues to a new regulator.

Following the Independent Water Commission Review and its 88 recommendations, Defra is leading a major reform to reset the water sector, including the creation of a new regulator. This is a flagship programme backed by significant investment and a mandate for bold change. The People Workstream sits at the heart of this reform, ensuring the workforce, structures, and culture are ready to deliver, and this role is your opportunity to be part of shaping the foundations of a new regulatory landscape.

Your work will directly contribute to building a modern, resilient regulatory system that supports environmental and economic goals.

You will input into pensions modelling for proposed Target Operating Models, as well as liaise with the Government Actuary’s Department, legal teams, wider Water Reform colleagues and other key stakeholders. This will require knowledge of pensions considerations and actions during TUPE/ COSOP (Cabinet Office Statement of Practice) processes, as well as a good understanding of the Civil Service Pension Scheme and/or the Local Government Pension Scheme.

The Water reform programme is a fast-paced environment and, to be successful, we need to respond quickly to changing demand and priorities while maintaining high standards and professionalism. This is a complex, high-profile role and requires an individual who is adaptable, able to prioritise effectively and takes the initiative, while being an effective team player.

Job description

You will (but not limited to):

• act as a specialist advisor for the Water Reform programme, representing the team in all appropriate Programme meetings
• oversee the implementation of all pension requirements for the Water Reform programme, including all activities that may be required for a potential TUPE/COSOP process, to ensure the smooth transition of colleague’s pension requirements
• input expert advice as needed to the Water Reform Bill
• contribute towards cost modelling for proposed Target Operating Models
• liaise with wider expert services teams involved in the potential transfer of colleagues to the new regulator
• liaise with Pension Scheme Actuaries and legal advisors on behalf of the Water Reform team where necessary
• offer expert input to the Communications Programme and handle pensions queries from all parties as part of any consultation process.

Outside of the Water Reform project, as capacity allows, you may also be asked to contribute to the wider Pensions team to:

• provide policy advice to pensions colleagues, 3rd party providers and wider HR and carrying out regular quality assurance on current policies to ensure that they are up to date and in line with wider policy changes
• manage relationships with the outsourced third-party pensions administration providers, HR and Payroll administration providers and expert service colleagues
• lead on other pension transfer and 3rdgeneration transfers into the Civil Service and Environment Agency pension schemes
• oversee the transition of closed pension fund administration including implementation of process and budgetary accountability.

Person specification

You will need to demonstrate the following essential skills:

• broad and detailed HR, Pension and Employment Law knowledge and experience of applying policy in a practical environment
• logical decision making, effective listening, clarity of thought and an excellent understanding of business priorities
• strong analytical ability which can be applied to evaluate and make recommendations along with the ability to consider internal and external influences
• excellent communication skills (written and oral) tailored effectively to manage challenging stakeholders and situations

The following demonstrable HR and leadership experience is essential for this role:

• knowledge and experience of Civil Service and/or Local Government Pension Scheme and Compensation schemes legislation from an employing authority and administering authority’s perspective
• experience of change management including COSOP and TUPE and understanding of the Pensions implications included in staff transfers
• experience of working across HR with the breadth and depth of HR expertise necessary for working at a senior level
• experience of managing and influencing relationships across 3rd party providers to ensure delivery of administration services

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

• Highlight how your experience to date demonstrates your knowledge of Civil Service and/or Local Government Pension Scheme and Compensation schemes legislation from an employing authority and administering authority’s perspective.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £56,375, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £16,331 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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.

Application Process

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

• A CV submitted through an on-line tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobsite; there is no requirement to upload your personal CV.
• A 750-word Personal Statement detailing your suitability for the role based on the 'Essential Experience' bullet points within the Person Specification section of the advertisement above.
• A 250-word statement demonstrating how you meet the behaviour – Communicating and Influencing.
• A 250-word statement demonstrating how you meet the following technical skill – Highlight how your experience to date demonstrates your knowledge of Civil Service and/or Local Government Pension Scheme and Compensation schemes legislation from an employing authority and administering authority’s perspective.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Your CV should consist of your career history, including any key achievements and your main responsibilities in each role and be no longer than 2 pages. Your CV will be used to provide further context to your Personal Statement and will not be scored.

Further details around what this will entail can be found on the application form.

Sift

Should a large number of applications be received, there will be an initial sift assessing the Personal Statement. Those who pass the initial sift will be progressed either to a full sift or straight to interview.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strength questions. The Behaviours are as follows:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

During the interview, Experience and Technical will be assessed by questions.

Your interview will be virtual via MS Teams.

Further Information

Location

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).

Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra Group's location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Near Miss

Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions within Defra Group which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.

Merit Lists

Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be appointed in merit order for each location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Criminal Record Check

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.

Internal Fraud Database Check

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.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
• Complete the “Assistance required” 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.

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

NSV

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Higher Security Clearance

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter.

All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

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 : HR Resourcing Delivery
• Email : HRResourcingDelivery@defra.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: here

Attachments

Defra Core Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 1518kB)