Executive Officer: Contract Management Support - Apprenticeship Nottingham, England
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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 recruiting for two motivated and flexible Executive Officers to join our friendly and committed Supplier Relationship Management Unit (within the Developing Teachers and Leaders Division). Both roles will provide contract management support to teams that oversee the delivery of high-profile, professional development programmes to teachers at every stage of their career.
Our unit sits within the Teachers and Tutors Directorate – a dynamic and high-performing policy and delivery organisation that is focused on delivering our vision: “an excellent teacher for every child”.
Post holders will benefit from a coaching environment and a strong team commitment to personal development and learning. With a varied portfolio, there will be opportunities to expand your skillset and develop in role and/or to support your progression.
Job description
As set out in the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy, there are a number of teacher development reforms already in place to improve teacher access to high-quality training and development, including: the Early Career Framework (ECF) and National Professional Qualification (NPQ) reforms.
In September 2021, the Early Career Framework (ECF) reforms launched nationally entitling all early career teachers to a funded, two-year package of structured training and support linked to the best available research evidence. Beyond the first few years of teaching, our priority is to help all teachers and school leaders to continuously develop their expertise throughout their careers.
Our Specialist and Leadership National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) provide training and support for teachers and school leaders at all levels, from those who want to develop expertise in high quality teaching practice, such as behaviour management, to those leading multiple schools across trusts.
The post-holders will support successful delivery of our flagship Teacher development programmes, developing strong working relationships with lead providers to ensure high-quality delivery. There will be opportunities to work across the unit and to build stakeholder management knowledge and expertise.
Flexibility will be essential, but key activity will include:
- Supporting effective contract management – this will include diary management, generating meeting agendas, minute-taking, risk management and reporting, milestone reporting, drafting contract variations, maintaining actions logs and monitoring progress.
- Developing an oversight of Lead Provider programmes and delivery – this will include monitoring Lead Provider performance against contractual KPIs and in year recruitment trajectories and leading on team’s input to regular ministerial and internal governance reports.
- Managing correspondence and briefings – this will include monitoring team inboxes, maintaining programme briefings, responding to provider queries and coordinating written Lead Provider updates and newsletters.
- Supporting effective financial management – this will include maintaining accurate finance records and budget trackers, raising purchase orders, checking and processing invoices in agreed timescales and supporting financial assurance processes.
- Providing administration support across the unit – this will include maintaining and updating team documents such as SharePoint, team overview documents and contract trackers.
About the Team
We are a friendly, supportive and high performing team. Our work is challenging, high paced and rewarding. For the right applicants these roles offer an opportunity to develop skills and knowledge across all aspects of contract management. Applicants will work closely with experienced contract managers.
As this role includes 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/Business Admin
- 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.
Person specification
You will be supporting the unit to meet its contractual and stakeholder obligations.
Candidates with require strong organisation and planning skills, with the ability to communicate and work flexibly in order to manage competing demands to deliver high-quality outcomes.
You will gain a good understanding of the teacher development landscape including knowledge of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) and the Early Career Framework (ECF) programmes.
Essential criteria:
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to a wide range of audiences, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
- To prioritise and work effectively, and at pace, across multiple work items.
- Managing data and strong attention to detail.
- Able to work flexibly and collaboratively as part of a team, to support its wider objectives.
- Enjoy problem solving across different areas of work.
Desirable Experience & Skills:
- Use of Microsoft Excel and experience with databases would be welcomed, but training can be provided.
Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
Benefits
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.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application
To apply for this role, please provide a CV and a personal statement. The CV will need to cover your job history, qualifications and previous skills and Experience. Your personal statement (maximum 750 words) should demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification section of the advert.
You will then be required to provide 250 word statements against each of the following Behaviours:
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
Candidates will also be required to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test.
This online test will measure your ability to use written information to think about something in a logical way to form a conclusion or judgement. Tests are scored automatically and you will be told whether you have achieved the pass benchmark.
Sift and Selection
Applicants will be sifted by the vacancy holders. If a large volume of applications are received, we will then conduct an initial sift on the Behaviour 'Delivering at pace'.
In this instance, if your application progresses to a full sift, all four Behaviours will then be considered and may be assessed against all elements of the success profile.
Interview
If you are successful at application stage, you will be invited for an interview which will be held via Microsoft Teams.
The purpose of the interview is to assess your suitability for the role. It will usually last 40-60 minutes and you will be asked to describe specific occasions when you have demonstrated the listed Behaviours along with some Strength-based questions.
Sift dates: week commencing 22nd May.
Interview dates: week commencing 5th June.
Other Information
We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.
The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.
For this role the department would not consider sponsoring a Certificate of Sponsorship/visa. Please note we are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe 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 circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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.
Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs
Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.
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 Department of Education via [email protected] 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.
Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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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).
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