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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

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a key, fast-paced role at the heart of the department, in the Higher Education Directorate.

The Higher Education Directorate works to improve student outcomes and experience through the effective supply and regulation of finance and funding provision, including proactive sponsorship of, and engagement with, key stakeholders such as the Office for Students and the Student Loans Company, and ensuring high quality course provision informed by real data, expertise and insight in the sector.

We ensure student funding & support is supplied and controlled as intended by legislation, including appropriate oversight in terms of financial governance, fraud prevention and ensuring the ongoing sustainability and resilience of the sector.

We put in place mechanisms to improve and reform this provision fit for the future and in line with wider ministerial and societal priorities.

In this role, you will be supporting the Higher Education Directorate with recruitment, leading all resourcing exercises from start to finish, as well as managing our mailing lists, internal communication channels, leading on discrete learning and development projects for the directorate, as well as supporting with other ad-hoc activities and projects within the directorate support team.

Your key responsibilities in this role will include:

• Lead recruitment for the directorate, maintaining our resourcing tracker and providing bespoke support as needed, project managing all recruitment campaigns from approval stage to onboarding;
• Navigate director and Director General approvals in line with headcount controls;
• Provide support and guidance to hiring managers, ensuring they are recruiting in line with the department’s recruitment policies and procedures, and campaigns are compliant with the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles;
• Be responsible for a high volume of fast paced work;
• Problem solving and negotiating onboarding strategies for our various candidates, acting as a sounding board for our vacancy managers;
• Supporting our Finance Manager by providing timely updates on recruitment at directorate level, which feed into the staff forecasting process;
• Maintaining accurate mailing lists and organograms for the directorate;
• Supporting with our People Survey action plan, organising staff surveys and facilitating the implementation of our workforce strategy;
• Leading on coordinating ad-hoc projects on business continuity, maintaining an up-to date call tree, organising learning and development sessions for the directorate;
• Working cohesively and in a joined up way with the directorate and the group’s support teams, and more widely with other resourcing leads across the department;
• Handling sensitive information in a confidential manner.

As this role includes completion of the Business Administration 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 Administration.
• 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.

We think you should join us if you:

• Have good attention to detail, particularly in relation to planning and handling personal data;
• Have excellent organisational skills and can manage your time to prioritise work effectively;
• Are someone who enjoys working with a range of people to achieve a common goal;
• Can work independently, but within clear guidelines and understand when it is appropriate to escalate issues;
• Are motivated, are going to take ownership of the time you spend with us and want to make a difference;
• Are honest about yourself and your development, and proactively look for ways to improve and broaden your knowledge.

In this fast-paced role you will use your organisational skills to manage and improve a range of directorate support processes, ensuring our teams have the resources and corporate tools needed to deliver their work.

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate the following essential criteria:

• Excellent customer service, adapting quickly to new demands;
• Highly proficient at engaging with partners at all levels with a strong ability to persuade and influence others;
• Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and be flexible to meet changing circumstances;
• Excellent judgement and ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information and data.

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 :
Adelina Iordache
Email :
[email protected]

Recruitment team

Email :
[email protected]