Centralised Operations Team (COT) Associate Business Function Practitioner – Indirect Wing

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) touches the lives of everyone in the UK in some shape or form, delivering services and support to help people find work, assist with a disability or provide support through their retirement. As a key part of DWP, the Commercial Directorate (CD) shapes how services are delivered across their 3rd party contractual arrangements.
Indirect Wing
CD’s organisational structure is divided into 3 strategic teams; one of which is the Indirect Wing team. The team has over 130 commercial professionals, including a Senior Leadership Team of 5 Senior Civil Servants (SCS). The 4 strategic categories: Estates, Digital, Automated Buying, Business Services and External Resources teams deliver via 941 live 3rd party contractual arrangements @£6.8b DWP’s core business services for internal staff and external customers. The COT support the Category and Senior Management teams with the day-to-day non-commercial activity that allows them to focus on their commercial delivery.
Indirect Wing Central Operations Team (COT)
The Indirect Wing Business Function (BF) Team support all 4 Categories and manage all non-commercial queries via the centralised team inbox, managing in and out bound communications to ensure team updates are delivered in an accurate and timely manner.
BF manage all workforce planning, organisational charts, reporting and recruitment, alongside providing responses to Freedom of Information requests and Parliamentary queries. They ensure compliance of mandatory training and learning, and track and maintain staff absence to manage capacity planning and Business Continuity Planning. Parallel to this, support is given to all colleagues on a daily basis on everything non-commercial enabling the commercial team to maintain delivery of their CD Objectives. The team also support 5 SCS staff to ensure they can fully optimise their time effectively, leading the delivery and support of their teams and CD's objectives.
The Indirect Wing Data & Reporting team, provide timely and accurate Management Information (MI) to ensure the 4 Categories are fully represented when providing Ministerial, Cabinet Office and Treasury returns. The team also oversee the comprehensive MI reporting linked with Contract Pipelines which allow for Strategic Commercial forecasting and wider impacting with business stakeholders. The team are the expert domain for Power BI reporting and provide ad-hoc and strategic reporting to the wing’s Senior Management team, Executive teams and colleagues, alongside strategic reporting of DWP’s commercial Savings., This is a is well-established role in the Business Function Team within the Indirect Wing Central Operations team (COT) and is fundamental in supporting the Category and Senior Management Team with the day-to-day non-commercial activity that allows them to focus on their commercial delivery.
The COT team is required to support the Commercial teams who have responsibility for operational implementation and delivery of key corporate commercially related strategies via 3rd party Supplier Services. In addition, as an Associate Business Function Practitioner, you may be asked to lead and/or support a number of key cross category business activities, whilst also supporting wider CD and Indirect Wing transformation activity and have an interest in building knowledge of DWP Commercial business, demonstrating commitment to advancing the COT role, within the Indirect Wing COT function.
The role is fast paced and challenging and includes working with key stakeholders and building effective relationships. It requires pro-active and innovative thinking, with excellent communication skills and an outgoing and enthusiastic approach to challenges. You will be required to frequently work alongside your colleagues in the COT team as well as key stakeholders to ensure information collected is accurately reflected to allow senior colleagues make informed decisions that increase efficiency of delivery and quality of service outcomes.
This job role is suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be considered. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.
Some travel to and between our corporate Hubs may be required as part of this role.

Person specification
The successful candidate will join the COT team, working directly to the Grade 7 Team Lead. We are looking for a highly motivated individual with the skills to work effectively, both as part of a team and independently, whilst developing key relationships with stakeholders of all grades to deliver best possible outcomes.
The successful candidate’s roles and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:
Workforce Management and Communications
+ Supporting, planning and undertaking the end-to-end recruitment for all 4 Categories including permanent and temporary posting and necessary logistics of governance approvals.
+ Workforce Planning Board (WFPB) – undertaking day to day tracking of WFP, ad-hoc reporting to Senior Management team and delivery at monthly resource management meetings to provide accurate tracking of staffing / Full Time Equivalents e. starters, movers and leavers.
+ Supporting with Category all staff calls, meetings, and conference events. Also leading as single point of contact on ad-hoc DWP and Category led Strategic campaigns ensuring messaging is appropriate for the audience.
+ Drafting clear and concise communications to stakeholders both internal to CD and DWP and externally to wider Government functions.
+ Supporting, monitoring and reporting on the Category mandated operational returns to ensure financial and business compliance.
Corporate Returns and Activity
+ Leading on providing the Category’s Mandatory Training and Learning Assurance and necessary MI reporting.
+ Supporting the work of the category teams to help monitor commercial savings and spend across the categories and contracts.
+ Leading on documenting and distributing to the appropriate stakeholders and monitoring progress to ensure deadlines are met for Freedom of Information requests and Parliamentary Questions (PQs).
+ Responding to ad hoc queries from Commercial Directorate Senior Leadership Team (CDSLT), Commercial Directorate (CD), Cabinet Office (CO), Her Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) and Finance.
+ Supporting the G7 Team Lead, as and when required, in providing category reporting to Senior Management Team.
Stakeholder Management / Engagement / Communication
+ Working with category stakeholders at all grades, engaging with wider Finance Group colleagues and where necessary wider DWP Business stakeholders, building effective relationships, broadening knowledge.
Other
+ Play an active part in supporting Commercial Directorate values and culture.
+ Be flexible on tasks and responsibilities as workloads within the team change.
+ Contribute to the timely delivery of category and CD objectives., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Delivering at Pace, A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to DWP 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
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.
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.
Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.
Reasonable Adjustment
At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.
We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:Contact Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” 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.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
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)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
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).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
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+ Previous business function/support experience, with proven effective communication skills, both verbally and written; ability to draft high-quality documents and communications, for diverse audiences. Evidence of how your focus and attention to detail has ensured accuracy in the end goal/message.
+ Proven ability to efficiently matrix manage competing priorities against demanding timelines ensuring quality of outcomes.
+ Ability to identify and deliver alternative ways of working, driving innovation into everything you do.
Stakeholder Management / Engagement / Communication
+ Proven experience of building authentic and effective relationships with internal and external Stakeholders at all grades, and demonstration of how you have worked effectively as part of a team.
+ Proven experience of effective communication for mixed audience and grade.
Financial
+ Experience of undertaking financial reconciliation, ensuring its auditable and stands up to scrutiny with understanding of outputs and wider business impacts.
Proven knowledge and skills in use of IT – specifically MS Office products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Microsoft teams and SharePoint)., If you are successful at the sift stage, you will be invited to a video interview using MS Teams, where we will assess your relevant experience against the essential skills mentioned above and we will assess the Behaviours listed below.
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Delivering at Pace

We also have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
+ Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
+ Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
+ Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
+ Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
+ Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
+ Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.
This job role is suitable for hybrid working, where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business needs, but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be considered. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance.