operations manager Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Job description
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Fixed Term
Loan
Secondment
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Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
FSET is part of the Government Skills and Curriculum Unit (GSCU) and sits within the Government People Group, which is part of the Cabinet Office.
The Fast Stream and Emerging Talent (FSET) team sits within GSCU and is responsible for attracting, recruiting, training and retaining Civil Servants who are equipped to meet the challenges of modern government.
This includes creating a high status and high quality pipeline for future leaders; consisting of school’s outreach plus industry placements, internships, Civil Service apprenticeships and the Fast Stream programme.
We have a portfolio of ‘in-flight’ change underway to align all early entry and progression routes to the skills agenda, for example schools outreach to attract applicants from across the country, internships to develop employability skills, higher quality and relevant apprenticeships, and a graduate entry and Fast Stream programme which meet the government’s current and future workforce needs.
Job description
We are seeking a dynamic team player who is able to prioritise their workload and think proactively to enable us to maintain a first class service to our stakeholders, candidates and assessors. You must be able to make effective decisions quickly and respond to competing priorities, working often unsupervised in a fast-paced environment.
Successful applicants must be proficient in using standard IT packages (e.g Microsoft Word, Excel and Google Suite), with excellent communication skills and the ability to prioritise and deliver to demanding timescales. Candidates must be able to demonstrate evidence of using data to draw meaningful conclusions.
The role will require the successful candidate to support the planning, organisation and delivery of the administration of Fast Stream Assessment Centres and Final Selection Boards. This will include acting as a Test Administrator at the Fast Stream Assessment Centre, currently being managed virtually. You will coordinate the operational functions of the candidates' attendance; managing their journey of the Assessment Centre, whilst also liaising with the assessors on a daily basis.
As part of your role, you will work closely with members of the management structure on the continuous development of the scheme and also contribute to specific projects as required to support the wider Fast Stream and Emerging Talent community. You will be part of a high performing and supportive team reporting to a Recruitment Operations Manager (HEO).
Other responsibilities include overseeing the Candidate Support aspect of the Fast Stream Recruitment service. This may include inbox management and complex queries (via email) ownership.
The role will also include dealing with pre-employment check queries and co-ordinating the incoming work plus actioning the checks during peak periods.
You may also be involved with the Direct Appointment Scheme. You will collaborate across various Government Departments, working with them to source roles for candidates who are high performing, however have just missed out on a Fast Stream position.
There are also other recruitment programmes that the team supports which could involve any aspect of the required application and selection process, such as Beyond Boundaries Selection.
The role may require line management of one AO, as required.
Please note - there are 4 roles on offer - 3 x Permanent and 1 x FTA/Loan/Secondment - We will offer the highest scoring candidates the permanent roles and then offer the next candidate on the merit list the Fixed Term Appointment/Loan/Secondment.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage operational aspects of the Assessment Centre; making appropriate bookings and updating the timetable
- Lead on the management of the Final Selection Boards, working with professions to manage the operational aspects and delivering these events.
- Oversee the Pre Employment Checks for successful candidates, providing support where required.
- Oversee and manage emails, dealing with queries from candidates, assessors and other stakeholders ensuring professional and prompt responses.
- Lead and manage assessor and candidate bookings and enquiries.
- Collaborate across wider FSET to escalate technical issues and extend or re-set online tests where necessary
- Arranging invigilated tests to allow alternative methods of testing for candidates with adjustment requirements
- Maintaining responsibility for the accuracy of all records and adhering to data protection and data handling measures.
- Building constructive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and giving advice and guidance on Fast Stream recruitment processes to existing and new Fast Stream stakeholders.
- Lead on the preparation of Management Information for Senior leaders.
- Support the wider Fast Stream and Emerging Talent Team as required e.g Fast Stream Base Camp.
- Ensuring personal and professional development through mentoring, networking, training and other development activities.
To support a flexible resourcing solution on our team, we also have onboarding roles that are focused around the security process for onboarding Fast Streamers.
You will follow the process from initial eligibility to SC/CTC application up to the point where this security clearance is gained.
The main duties consist of the following:
- Acting as a point of contact between FSET, Workday, HR Shared Services, Vetting Units, On-Scheme Delivery Team and Government Departments on Fast Stream recruitment issues.
- Maintaining responsibility for accurately and regularly updating the security tracking spreadsheet, adhering to data protection and data handling measures.
- QAing SC letters and saving to drive. Liaising with the CO vetting team if a letter needs to be amended and re-issued.
- QAing candidate information forms and sending them to the CO vetting team.
- Recording SC links and monitoring progress. Chasing FSers if SC applications have not been activated /submitted.
- Updating vetting on completed BPSS so SC letters can be released.
- Managing changes and updating various information to tracking spreadsheets.
- Working with new Fast Streamers to ensure relevant actions are completed on the Workday platform.
Person specification
Essential
- Effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to draft correspondence or the willingness to develop these skills.
- Ability to plan, prioritise and deliver to demanding timescales; with attention to detail, and effective problem solving skill.
- Strong customer service experience..
- Dedicated team player with good people skills.
- Computer/IT literate, with general knowledge of computer software and applications.
- Demonstrate evidence of using data to draw meaningful conclusions.
Desirable:
- Some understanding of the Fast Stream programme.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role.
- An environment with flexible working options.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 27%.
- A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
At application stage you will be assessed on the behaviours listed above.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Delivering at Pace. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Should you be successful at application stage, you will be invited to an interview, where you will be assessed on behaviours and strengths.
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Sift and Interview dates TBC. Interviews to be held virtually
Reasonable adjustments
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 [email protected] 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.
Further information
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
Any move to Cabinet Office 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: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.
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 /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 [email protected] 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 [email protected]
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.
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.
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Further information
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service at: [email protected].
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: [email protected].
For further information on the Recruitment Principles, and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.
