Partnership & Improvement Adviser

Are you someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, supporting multiple projects and enjoys building relationships? Then being part of the Partnerships, Improvement & Oversight (PI&O) team could be for you.
The team utilises a wide range of stakeholder relationships including commercial customers, Government Commercial Function, Arm’s Length Bodies (such as NHS England and other health ALB’s) and other Government Departments in its provision of strategic and corporate support. The PI&O team is a central part of the Commercial Director’s Office, and plays a critical role in enabling the Commercial Senior Management Team to fulfil their accountability and leadership duties for the wider commercial profession across health.
The post holder will need to be able to balance supporting several projects at any given time, building good relationships with a range of colleagues and providing an excellent customer experience. This is a dedicated, agile team which pivots skill and knowledge in line with demand, often re-tasking and prioritising at pace. In essence, the role will include supporting team members on bespoke project work, supporting governance arrangements, scheduling and supporting meetings, liaising with other internal / external business units, drafting documents and presentations, along with managing and responding to commissioning flows. It’s quite normal for one week to look a bit different to the next!
We are committed to providing continuous professional development opportunities, with this being at the heart of how we work. As part of our team, you will be able to benefit from a host of learning opportunities available, including apprenticeships, professional qualifications and dedicated learning and development days.
Role responsibilities
Team responsibilities:
+ Build relationships with key stakeholders across the Department and external to it, to maximise opportunities to collaborate and achieve efficiencies;
+ Support development and implementation of commercial strategies within DHSC and the Health and Care Family;
+ Adopt a continuous improvement approach;
+ Use of project management discipline in providing Project Management Office support to a portfolio of projects, ensuring delivery of agreed priorities, objectives, and timescales;
+ Preparation of briefing and presentation content for a range of Directorate-wide audiences, including senior engagement with Health Family representatives;
+ Co-ordination of comprehensive data sets, liaising with stakeholders to ensure accuracy and leading dashboard reporting and delivery;
+ Monitor designated inboxes and correspondence channels;
+ Take on other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the grade of the role and the needs of the team.
Additional role specific responsibilities:
+ Support the organisation and execution of the Commercial Shared Services Board: a Health Family wide commercial governance structure supporting collaboration and best practice;
+ Lead the 121-meeting cascade between the DHSC Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and the ALB Commercial Directors, including scheduling meetings, preparing briefings, taking minutes and monitoring completion of actions arising;
+ Contribute to National Security & Investment Act casework that the team leads on;
+ Contribute to regional Government Commercial Function activity, supporting DHSC’s engagement and informing GCF practice;
+ Support with maintenance of some of the Directorate’s learning and development., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Managing a Quality Service
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Communicating and Influencing
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
+ Managing a Quality Service, This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
Please use your CV to set out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role. These can be found in the ‘Key skills and experience required for the role’ section of the advert.
Please use your personal statement to (in no more than 500 words) outline how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role as set out in the job advert.
You will also be assessed on behaviours at application stage.
An initial sift based on Lead Behaviour ‘Managing a Quality Service’ may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
At interview, candidates will be assessed on: Experience, Behaviours and Strengths.
The candidates will be provided with a Pre-Interview Task 30 minutes before their interview. This task is aimed to test the candidates experience and skills at managing competing priorities and influencing stakeholders. The candidate will be presented with a scenario and will be asked to provide a 5-minute verbal update on how they would address this scenario.
Sift and Interview dates
Application sift date - w/c 18/11/2024
Interview date - w/c 2/12/2024
Interview location - Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.
Further details and interview slots will be released to candidates who are successful at sift.
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 Government Recruitment Service via dhscrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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.
To find out more about working in the department, please visit our page on the Civil Service Careers website: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/departments/working-for-the-department-of-health-social-care/ To find out more information on how to apply, visit the Civil Service Careers website: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/how-to-apply/
Applicants who are appointable but were not successful in appointment to this vacancy may be held on a reserve list for up to 12 months and contacted if similar vacancies become available.
Any move to DHSC 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
Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.
Please note that applicants will require SC clearance. For SC clearance, candidates must have been a resident in the UK for the past 5 years.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
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.
This role is being advertised on a permanent basis. If preferable, Loan or Secondment options will also be available for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited NDPBs or any other employer (Secondment). 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.
Terms and Conditions
Candidates should note that DHSC’s Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful.
New Entrants to the Civil Service
New entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions:
+ Annual Leave: 25 days on entry rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff
+ Privilege Leave: 1 day - for the King’s birthday
+ Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
+ Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): one month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months’ full pay and five months’ half pay
+ Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allow staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
+ Probation: 6 month probation period
Existing Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotion
All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).
Existing DHSC staff, appointed on promotion
If DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSC’s pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

+ Ability to deliver in a fast paced, sometimes ambiguous environment, managing several tasks at once with high attention to detail and maintaining a quality service.
+ Making connections and having the ability to identify trends between related tasks and issues.
+ Act promptly to reassess workloads and priorities when there are conflicting demands to maintain performance.
+ Be able to work collaboratively and develop strong relationships with senior stakeholders (ALBs, GCF, Health Family) and develop these relationships to deliver excellent commercial function leading customer service.
+ Use of creative thinking, commercial awareness, and experience to support well-informed judgements. This includes being able to analyse and present data.
+ Ability to work both as part of a team and independently and be able to plan, organise and manage your own time effectively.
+ Proactive risk identification for senior leadership and key stakeholders with prompt resolution, engaging relevant stakeholders, and delivery partners.
+ Have effective communication and interpersonal skills. You must be able to communicate across multiple mediums and convey messages in a clear way.
+ Experience of Microsoft 365 packages, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Outlook.

In the Department of Health and Social Care, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you would like to work in, we would love to hear from you.
DHSC’s Commercial Directorate provides the Department and wider health system with the appropriate commercial strategy, leadership, insight and advice, harnessing the opportunities available to enable successful delivery of the Health Mission. We are working towards a being a world class commercial function, focusing on customer service and achieving best value.

Alongside your salary of £33,476, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £9,697 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role
+ An environment with flexible working options
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds. (delete/add as appropriate) Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration, and enhancing team working, learning, and support.
You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.
Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need.
There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme 2023-2024. Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements.