Schools Policy Adviser Darlington, North East England, England
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About the job
Job summary
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 a challenging and rewarding post in the Department for Education Private Office, working directly with the Secretary of State and Ministers.
This role offers an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of government on the development and delivery of the Government’s flagship education policies, focusing on teachers, teaching and the curriculum.
Job description
This is a pivotal role at the heart of the Department for Education where we deal with a huge breadth of interesting issues which affect millions of young people and adults and have an impact across the education and care system.
You will play a significant lead role in ensuring coherence of policy relating to teachers, teaching and curriculum, and helping to drive policy and delivery.
You will build strong and trusted relationships with policy teams within the Department and use your own knowledge and experience to contribute to the development and delivery of effective policy. You will work closely with senior officials to shape advice to Ministers to make sure that it aligns with Ministers’ vision, principles and priorities.
You will shape and draft suitable content to help communicate policy to the public and professionals within the school sector, working with comms and media teams.
The DfE Private Office is open for business all day every day, and you would need to be able to work some unsociable hours and to attend our London Office where necessary to support the Secretary of State, Ministers and the Private Office team.
Person specification
It is essential for this role that the candidate has:
- A strong understanding and knowledge of the schools landscape, such as funding, accountability and teaching practice, and a good understanding of the latest work in this field. This could be gained through a range of routes such as through teaching or leading within a school / multi-academy trust setting, working within a partner organisation or on relevant research.
- An ability to take a leading role in creating and setting strategic and policy direction, working collaboratively with teams across the Department. Displaying the leadership skills able to take a leading role in initiating action and making decisions.
- Effective communication and influencing skills, including written communication, to be a credible advocate of delivery and policy development with senior colleagues including Ministers, exercising sound judgement and challenging assumptions where necessary to ensure that delivery impact and user need are at the core of our policy-making.
- Exhibit good numerical skills with an ability to interpret and present data in a compelling and concise fashion.
- An ability to demonstrate sound judgement and personal resilience. The candidate will be closely involved in directly advising the Secretary of State, working across the Department and with external stakeholders. It is important therefore that have, or are willing to build, an understanding of what is means to be part of the civil service, the Civil Service Code and 7 Principles of Public Life.
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.
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As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
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.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application
Candidates should submit a 1000 maximum word statement, via the online form, which demonstrates how they meet the essential experience criteria outlined in the responsibilities section. If there is a high number of applications we will sift on the first criteria.
The CV is for information only and will not be assessed.
Interview
Shortlisted candidates will be:
- invited to a short conversation with the Secretary of State/Minister who will feed in their views to the panel in advance of the interview.
- invited to an interview which will include experience questions based on the essential experience criteria and strength based questions.
Interviews are planned to take place week commencing 6th March 2023 at Sanctuary Buildings, London.
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.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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).
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