Sector Governance Frameworks Lead

We have an excellent opportunity to join Ofwat's recently established Governance and Public Value team as a Sector Governance Frameworks Lead.
The overall aim of the Governance team is to ensure water companies are well run through having the right board leadership and governance arrangements in place. Furthermore, we seek to ensure governance arrangements are transparent, allowing Ofwat and other stakeholders to scrutinise (and challenge) and address issues of legitimacy. This work is at the cutting edge of what Ofwat does and is pivotal in light of the recently announced Water (Special Measures) Bill.
You'll be responsible for designing and implementing sector-critical governance frameworks as part of Ofwat's regulatory role and strategic objectives. You'll have primary responsibility for fundamental projects and will own key policy thinking, design and delivery.
Key responsibilities will also include day-to-day management of external advisors as relevant, coordinating across Ofwat on cross-directorate issues, policy design and drafting, management of and building consensus with both external and internal stakeholders.
The role will require visible and effective leadership for the delivery of the policies and measures, and an ability to seek and build consensus for practical regulatory tools. Effective horizon scanning and the ability to operate within a complex and multi-disciplinary context will be paramount for this exciting role.
Ofwat is dedicated to providing you with opportunities to further develop your knowledge and experience. We have a well-supported, agile working environment, and have a trust-based culture intended to help empower, enable, and support you to succeed.
You can find out more about why you should join Ofwat, our strategy, values and our framework for success in the attached Information for Candidates Pack., In this role you will be expected to:
+ Oversee key policy projects involving the analysis of corporate governance in the water sector, ensuring successful policy option development to deliver critical governance frameworks within the regulatory context within which Ofwat operates.
+ Develop recommendations on regulatory and policy issues, building support for these from senior management as well as engaging with and influencing as relevant external bodies for building consensus and recommendations.
+ Produce and present documents which provide robust analysis and development, applying technical corporate governance expertise.
+ Demonstrate thought leadership, and manage engagement with internal and external stakeholders, representing Ofwat credibly and confidently.
+ Coordinate and work effectively across Ofwat on cross-directorate issues.
+ Develop materials for Ofwat's board and other executive bodies.
+ Deputise for the Director of Sector Governance as needed., Please see the candidate guidance on our website for more detail and tips on how to best make your application.
Selection timetable
+ Closing date: 23:55 on 27 October 2024
+ Sifting: week commencing 28 October 2024
+ Interview date(s): WC 11 November 2024
Assessment process
Sift Stage
We operate a blind sifting model to eliminate bias. All candidate identifying information will be removed from applications.
At sift stage we will assess your application (CV and Personal Statement) against criterion 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 listed in the person specification (Experience, Skills & Knowledge) above.
In the event of receiving a large number of applications, a pre-sift may take place on just the following lead criteria:
1. Experience of and ability to design and implement new frameworks or codes within the context of corporate governance.
2. Experience of developing policy in a government or regulatory organisation.
In your personal statement, please tell us how your experience and skills meet the lead criteria stated above.
Please note that if a high volume of candidates meet the minimum pass mark at sift stage, we will only progress the highest scoring candidates to interview. Candidates not invited to interview, who have achieved the minimum pass mark, will be placed 'on hold' until the final stage of the assessment process is completed. Should the role/s remain unfilled, candidates placed 'on hold' may be invited to interview in merit order.
Interview Stage
Our transparent interview process involves candidates receiving a list of attribute-based questions in advance. This has been proven to help neurodiverse candidates and others to perform better at interview and is part of our inclusive culture.
We will assess your Experience, Skills and Knowledge as well as Attributes (set out in the person specification) at Interview Stage.
You can read more about Attributes in Ofwat’s Framework for Success.
As part of the interview process, we will require short presentation. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates upon invitation to interview.
Please note that the interviews will be conducted via video conferencing software such as Microsoft Teams.
If you have any queries about any aspect of this role, selection process, or you require any reasonable adjustments please email recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk.
Please read the attached "Candidate Information Pack" for details on terms and conditions.
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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1. Lead criterion 1: Experience of and ability to design and implement new frameworks or codes within the context of corporate governance.
2. Lead criterion 2: Experience of developing policy in a government or regulatory organisation.
3. Excellent stakeholder management skills with experience effectively managing complex relationships both internally and externally.
4. Experience in how regulatory and / or legal frameworks impact the way in which companies operate and their governance.
5. Experience in UK corporate governance and an understanding how companies are organised and managed (e.g. comfortable with the concept of how boards function, how they report), and with common UK corporate structures.
6. Analytical, adept at seeing complex interlinkages, and able to distil discussions from relevant workshops, government policy, internal and external stakeholder meetings, and materials into reports and policy design.
7. Familiarity with performance issues in the water sector., + Champion and leader of change
+ Promotes collaboration
+ Adaptable thinker
+ Delivers outcomes
Attributes as per Ofwat's Framework for Success for Principal Band. You can read more about Attributes here.

Why You Should Join Us:
We’re forward-thinking, creative, innovative, and ambitious. We constantly push the boundaries and embrace new ways of working.
With us, your work matters, your voice is heard, and your impact is felt. Ours is a culture of trust, flexibility, autonomy, collaboration, and innovation. We all want positive change for water customers, the environment, and the future of water.
But for us, change is more than what happens on the outside – we’ve always pushed boundaries internally, too. From becoming the first Civil Service organisation to achieve ‘Smarter Working’ status, to gaining our prestigious ‘Smarter Working Maturity’ award, we’ve consistently demonstrated our commitment to embracing innovative ways of working. Our people do their best work when given freedom over where, when, and how they work. Which is why we trust our teams to balance meaningful collaboration in the office with the flexibility of working from home.
You will also benefit from:
+ Excellent employer pension contributions of 28.97% (around £15,900 to £21,700 per annum for this role).
+ 27.5 days leave (25 days annual leave + 2.5 days privilege leave) increasing to max 32.5 days with each year of service, plus bank holidays
+ Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail
outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership.
+ Flexible working arrangements that suit your lifestyle.
+ Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies.
+ Up to 3 volunteering days per year.
+ Generous shared parental leave and pay.
+ Enhanced sick pay.
+ Regular development opportunities.
+ Health and wellbeing initiatives.
+ Season ticket loan for home-to-office travel.
+ Cycle-to-work scheme.