Delivery Unit Senior Advisers x 2

The recently-created Secretary of State’s Delivery Unit sits at the heart of the Department, and plays a critical role in driving real-world delivery of the priorities that matter most to the Secretary of State. The Delivery Unit has been set up to give ministers a clear, independent view of what is happening, and what needs to happen, on the trajectory towards transformational outcomes.

It assesses whether the Secretary of State’s highest priorities are on track based on measurable targets, and provides a challenge function to propose solutions where they are not. It is focused on impact on the ground in the communities where positive change is most needed, which will include making independent assessments of whether that change is happening following fieldwork and analysis. It also plays a role in driving forward delivery of new or emerging priorities, providing policy advice as appropriate. The team meets regularly with ministers in support of this work.

2 x G7 - Delivery Unit Policy Advisers

As part of the Delivery Unit, the successful candidates will need to work with teams across DCMS, alongside conducting independent analysis, to provide the Secretary of State with the reassurance that their highest priorities are being delivered quickly, effectively and with real world impact. The successful candidates are likely to have responsibility for:

• Assessing progress against agreed outcomes and metrics for priority programmes to provide ministers with regular, objective delivery confidence assessments
• Working with delivery teams to troubleshoot challenges blocking delivery, and providing advice to ministers on solutions
• Undertaking analysis and fieldwork to test in real time whether delivery is happening on the ground in the way that was intended
• Responding rapidly to new or emerging priorities, by testing options with the department and providing advice to ministers and senior officials
• Building and maintaining a strong network of stakeholders across the department and government

Although exact portfolios will depend on live discussions around priorities following recent Machinery of Government changes, the successful candidates can expect to work on some of the department’s most important objectives. A willingness to adapt to pressures and emerging challenges will be critical.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

To apply for this vacancy, you will need to submit the following documents which will assessed against the experience success profile:

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you provide employment history that relates to the essential and desirable criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages and you should insert your CV into the "Job History" section on the Civil Service Jobs application form.
• A Statement of Suitability (max 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the roles in reference to the essential requirements highlighted. You may also choose to reference the desirable skills listed; however these will not be considered in the assessment of your application except in circumstances where there are a high number and calibre of candidates.

For the shortlist, we will select applicants demonstrating the best fit for the role by considering the evidence provided in your application.

In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial sift will be conducted on the Statement of Suitability. Those who are successful in the initial sift will then be scored on all elements of the application.

For support in writing your application and interviewing, please refer to the ‘Application and Interview Guidance’ document attached to the job advert.

The interview process will assess behaviours and strengths.

The behaviours to be tested at interview are:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Bigger Picture

You will be asked to give a presentation. The topic will be sent to you prior to the interview. You will also be sent the behaviour questions in advance.

You will not be made aware of the strengths being assessed prior to your interview.

Your interview will take place remotely via Microsoft Teams.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Department for Culture, Media and Sport 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

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

DCMS has a London and a National pay scale. For more information on this, including the circumstances in which each pay scale will apply, please see the ‘Candidate Information Pack’ attached.

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 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 Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

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.

Reasonable Adjustment

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process.

In order to request an adjustment, please:

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on 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 a verbal test rather than a written one.

Alternatively, contact the Government Recruitment Service via dcmsrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility difficulties with any of the attachments, please contact us. Contact details can be found in the 'contact point for applicants' section of the job advert.

Vetting

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.