Job description

Would you like an opportunity to shape and develop a new role for Department for Transport (DfT)? 

Could you create and implement a robust workforce strategy? 

If so, we would love to hear from you. 

We have a great opportunity to join Department for Transport as Head of Workforce Strategy. This newly created role will sit within our Organisational Development team. You will report to the Deputy Director for OD and you will operate with autonomy, empowerment and flexibility. 

We are looking for someone with exceptional strategic thinking abilities, analytical skills, strong communication and a real strength for stakeholder engagement, building collaboration and trust. 

Having an effective Workforce Strategy has never been more important for the DfT. Working with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders you will have the opportunity to embed a new approach to Strategic Workforce Planning for the DfT, setting direction and ensuring alignment with our vision, values, strategic priorities, and the wider Civil Service Workforce Agenda. 

Your key responsibilities will include: 

• Developing, delivering and embedding a best practice approach to Strategic Workforce Planning for the DfT 
• Ownership of the development co-ordination and maintenance of a Strategic Workforce Plan for the Dft which is aligned to our vision, values, strategic priorities, and the wider Civil Service Agenda 
• Working collaboratively across the HR function, business and professions to deliver the Strategic Workforce Plan 
• Working collaboratively across functions to ensure that wider organisational strategies that impact our workforce (eg DfT’s location strategy) are aligned to our strategic workforce plan and to act as a key enabler for such strategies 
• Acting as an expert advisor, critical friend and influencer, providing support to senior stakeholders on a range of workforce planning issues and ensuring that best practice toolkits, knowledge and frameworks are in place to support the resource planning needs of the business. 

Please see the attached role profile for full role responsibilities. 

You will be based in London with some travel required to our Executive Agencies which are located outside of London. 

About you 

You are a deeply engaging leader with previous experience of leading the development of organisational strategies and plans. You demonstrate expert knowledge of strategic workforce planning. 

With exceptional strategic thinking abilities, you have the capability to grasp and understand the organisation’s strategy and performance goals. 

You have excellent interpersonal skills to build a strong network and trusted relationships. With highly effective influencing skills, you have the ability to persuasively communicate with a range of senior partners to manage conflicting views and gain consensus. You present and evidence your recommendations with confidence. 

About us 

We are part of the Department for Transport (DfT). DfT is a great place to work, and our ‘one team’ approach really makes a difference. We value our staff and that’s why we’re committed to nurturing an inclusive environment across the Department. 

You’ll be part of an innovative organisation that invests in all our people, ensuring we have the diverse skills to deliver transport that moves Britain ahead now and into the future. 

 

Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport. 

DfT has been recognised for its leadership on workplace gender equality by being included in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2017. 

DfT’s inclusion is recognition of our commitment to make the Department a great place to work through our culture of equality and inclusivity and the great strides we’ve made to raise the number of women in senior positions. 

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits Pensions

Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates.

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.

Things you need to know Security

Successful candidates must pass basic security checks.

Nationality statement

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules.

If you're applying for a role requiring security clearance please be aware that foreign or dual nationality is not an automatic bar. However certain posts may have restrictions which could affect those who do not have sole British nationality or who have personal connections with certain countries outside the UK.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. 

When considering your experience, please tailor your CV and personal statement to provide evidence of when you have: 

• Effectively led the development of organisational strategies and plans 
• Demonstrated expert knowledge of Strategic Workforce Planning 
• Provided effective stakeholder management to build trusted relationships 
• Analysed and presented complex data and evidence in an engaging and influential way 

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment could include: 

• an interview with one or more exercises 

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. For further information on Success Profiles please click here 

Your interview may consist of a range of question types. These may include questions about: 
• what energises and motivates you 
• how you would manage situations relevant to the role 
• your previous experience 
• your professional skills and knowledge 

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within. 

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

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information Contact point for applicants

For further information on this vacancy please contact - [email protected]

Sift/interview dates and location

The sift is due to take place 28/06/2019. 

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held on 10/07/2019. 

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a security check may be carried out. 

Further information

We have adopted anonymised recruitment. This means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel. 

We may hold a merit list for up to twelve months. During this time, if a similar role is identified and you have been placed on the merit list you may be considered for the post. Within the merit list period, your application form and selection information may be shared across the department and its agencies. 

Please see attached candidate notes for further information about our recruitment process. 

Any move to the Department for Transport (DfT) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. 

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 [email protected] 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 

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. 

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact 

Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected] 

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: 
Click here to visit Civil Service Commission