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We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates

At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.

Equality and Diversity - Department for Education

We are advertising for 2 roles in Capital Free Schools, Further Education and Skills and 2 roles in Capital Commercial.

The Free Schools, Further Education and Skills (FSFES) programme is a government flagship policy in Education, and a top Ministerial priority. It is an extremely fast paced, innovative and exciting programme to be part of, differing significantly from previous initiatives in both delivery and timescales. The FSFES Capital team has the crucial role of finding and delivering suitable accommodation for new free schools. We ensure new schools have a safe, secure environment from which to deliver their curriculum and that buildings are delivered to the required timescales, offering the best possible value for money.

Capital Commercial provides expert advice, guidance and support to the departments Capital Works Programme.

FSFES Business Management Team Officer Apprenticeship (2 roles)

We are looking for proactive and capable people who can provide high quality administrative support to our Operations and Business Management team. We are looking for excellent team players with strong organisational, interpersonal and communication skills.

Typical role responsibilities will include:

• Planning and scheduling – Assist with and maintain appropriate systems to enable effective planning and scheduling.
• Monitoring and reporting – Assist in maintaining project controls and in producing project reports.
• Admin – Responsible for project file management using robust version control. Organise key project meetings, and provide secretariat support.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Communication – Act as the focal point for project responses to external requests for information and internal information sharing, communication and knowledge management.
• Providing high-quality administrative support to the Operations and Business Management team, including:
• Supporting hiring managers with Contingent Worker contracts (new or extensions), submitting business cases for approval, processing invoices.
• Support streamlining of the current induction programme, developing an induction guide and supporting vacancy managers through the induction process. Review the process for those leaving the division, including exit interviews and lessons learned, supporting retention strategy.
• Developing regular input for the weekly email and monthly bulletin, including pen pictures for all new starters.
• Working with stakeholders to ensure that central commissions are responded to in a timely manner, seeking appropriate advice and guidance from the BMT G7, Senior Management Team or Senior Leadership Team.
• Supporting learning activity across FSFES, providing administrative support, raising POs for training courses, booking training rooms and submitting paperwork for CSL course bookings.
• Helping co-ordinate the annual FSFES away day, providing administrative support to book speakers, produce documents/briefs and arrange any IT or logistical support. Provide support on the day, including assisting with managing the registration, meeting and greeting speakers, setting up/closing down.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with colleagues, SLT/SMT and other key stakeholders.
• Working flexibly across the wider team, providing support where required, including supporting team meetings and corporate information management (e.g. annual leave and central returns).
• Supporting FSFES recruitment campaigns from start to finish, including uploading adverts to vX (where required), assisting with interview arrangements, organising panels and independent assessors, attending moderation meetings to act as secretariat, meeting and greeting candidates, providing papers to the panels, ensuring all stages of the recruitment process are completed to a high-quality – as required.
• Provide input and coordinate Divisional Responses to People Survey outputs and actions e.g. formation of working groups, running of events.
• Support development of and management of wellbeing and people events.
• Play an active role in the ‘site team’ in your base office.

Commercial Support Officer Apprenticeship (2 roles)

The role of the Commercial Support Officer is an exciting opportunity to support a diverse range of commercial activities which enable the delivery of the department’s school building programmes.

Commercial Support Officers enable effective management of strategy, procurement, framework and assurance activity by supporting the management of processes, commissions, communications, data, reporting, resourcing and diary management.

Commercial Support Officers are proactive, self-motivated, flexible and have a solution focused approach to tasks and the drive to identify process improvements. You will have excellent communication skills and are comfortable liaising with a wide range of stakeholders across Capital Commercial, the wider department and our supplier partners. This is a very busy role and attention to detail and good planning, organisation, multi-tasking and prioritisation skills are important.

Commercial Support Officers are good team players and you will work closely with colleagues across the division to ensure the smooth running of commercial activity. You will be a key part of the Capital commercial division, a friendly team with hubs in the DfE Manchester, Sheffield and Coventry offices. Regular travel to other DfE offices is to be expected in this role as well as occasional travel to suppliers and project sites.

Typical role responsibilities will include:

• Collate, search and analyse data from multiple sources/data systems and compile reports accurately and to timescales.
• Coordinate data and commissions.
• Manage shared inbox.
• Maintain appropriate systems and file management to enable communications, data and record keeping.
• Organise and provide secretariat support for meetings and events.
• Provide business, administrative, secretarial support as tasked.

As these roles include completion of the Business Administrator Apprenticeship (Level 3) please check the eligibility requirements below using the apprenticeship standard: Business administrator / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

• You must have lived in the UK for 3 years prior to apprenticeship start date and not be undertaking another apprenticeship at the same time.
• You must not already have a substantial amount of the skills and knowledge that is covered in the contents of the apprenticeship standard.
• You must not have already worked in a similar role, or your previous learning, and/or work experience covers the contents (Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours) of the apprenticeship standard.

Please do not apply if:

• You already have all the skills and knowledge that is covered in the contents of the apprenticeship standard.
• You have already worked in a similar role, or your previous learning, and/or work experience covers the contents (Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours) of the apprenticeship standard.
• You have a degree (or equivalent) in Business Management.
• Part of this apprenticeship is to complete a level 2 English and maths functional skills qualification. If you have already achieved GCSEs in English and maths at Level 4 (grade C) or equivalent or a higher grade, you will not need to complete the functional skills qualification.

At the enrolment stage, the individual's eligibility will be checked by the training provider.

Essential Skills:

• Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise effectively to manage a high workload in high pressure situations.
• Proficient user of MS Teams and Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote.
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with a diverse range of people, including senior stakeholders and use these to influence others.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and confidence in articulating and delivering complex and sometimes difficult messages.
• Work effectively in a team, being flexible and adaptable to support the wider team goals when needed.
• Ability to process and analyse large amounts of information, draw conclusions and weigh up conflicting evidence to make clear recommendations.

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances, but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.

As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.

Job contact :

Name :
Philip Grant (Business Management Team Officer) Vicky Brooks (Commercial Support Officer)
Email :
[email protected]

Recruitment team :

Email :
[email protected]