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Head of Correspondence - Flexible Working Available

Employer
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Location
Cardiff (Caerdydd)
Salary
£46,800 (National) £51,300 (London) - £55,116 (National) £58,312 (London)
Closing date
30 Jun 2019

Job Details

About the job

Job description

About the Role: 

This is an exciting opportunity to lead our Correspondence Unit, a high performing team working across two sites in London and Cardiff. The Unit provides high quality correspondence from Ministers to MPs and the general public, answering over 1000 letters a month. It also acts as a central point of information and expertise on all aspects of drafting, ensuring that high standards are maintained. 

As Head of Correspondence you will have direct line management responsibility for a team of 4 and overall responsibility for a team of over 30 in a high profile and dynamic environment. You and your team will be at the centre of building links between Ministers, drafters and the wider department and ensuring that all letters that go out are of a high quality. You will play a key role in ensuring that all members of the team are motivated to deliver. 

The role is being offered as a permanent position. This role is available in either London or Cardiff but regular travel (at least weekly at the start if the person is based in London) will be expected between both sites in order to ensure the teams in both sites are supported. 

Part time working will be considered and applicants who are interested in this role on a part time basis are encouraged to get in touch with the vacancy manager to discuss their particular circumstances. 

About the Team: 

The Correspondence Unit is the key source of advice and support to Ministers and the Department on all correspondence matters. The Unit supports policy officials in the development of high quality correspondence to ensure effective delivery of the Department’s objectives. 

Key Responsibilities: 

1. Overall leadership for Correspondence across the department, ensuring that over 1000 high quality letters are delivered on time for Ministers and the general public per month. 

2. Direct Management responsibility for 4 staff (2 SEOs in London, 2 HEOs in Cardiff). with overall responsibility for a cross site team of over 30 across London and Cardiff, providing direction and motivation including challenge where needed. 

3. Taking the lead in ensuring continuous improvement of the Unit, including focusing on the Unit's role in the event of a No Deal Brexit and that the Unit continues to effectively link up with policy colleagues across the department. 

4. Organising, developing and support delivery of correspondence training among drafters and officials from across the Department. 

5. Developing contacts across the Department and across other government departments, to build the reputation of the Department and to facilitate BEIS work concerning correspondence. 

6. Playing an active role in the Senior Management Team across Private Office, working with other senior managers to continuously improve the service delivered to Ministers and the Department, and to building a dynamic and supportive environment for staff. 

Person Specification: 

The following will be important in this role: 

• Excellent leadership and management skills with experience of delivering through others. Experience of managing teams at a distance will be particularly useful. 

• A strong understanding of Ministers and the department's responsibilities;

• Excellent organisational skills; 

• Excellent persuasion skills; 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; 

• Experience of delivering training and written guidance; 

• Experience of implementing efficiency improvements and delivering change. 

About BEIS: 

BEIS is a department at the heart of the Government’s agenda, with a vision of an economy that works for everyone. We are responsible for developing and delivering a comprehensive industrial strategy and leading the Government’s relationship with business; we work to tackle climate change and ensure that the country has secure energy supplies that are reliable, affordable and clean. Our role is vital to lead the Government’s vision in a context of momentous change, responding to both the short-term domestic impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and working to define the next stage. 

We feel the department has an exciting remit, and we hope you agree. 

Please note that BEIS does not hold a licence to sponsor visa applications. 

Behaviours

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

  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Leadership
  • Changing and Improving
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits Pensions

Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates.

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.

In the event of a large number of vacancies, applications will be sifted on the lead behaviour (Managing a Quality Service) 

Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential role requirements within the application behaviour responses. 
 Interviewees will be asked to deliver a presentation; further details will be provided nearer the time. 
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

Name: Philip Carr (Line Manager) or Dom Barry (Current incumbent) 
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Sift/interview dates and location

Week of Sift: 01 July 
Week of Interviews: 15 July 2019 
Interviews Location: London & Cardiff 

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out. 

Further information

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments can be made. 

Please note – harmonised terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you 

Any move to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. 

Please note that BEIS does not hold a licence to sponsor visa applications. 

BEIS does not offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home). 

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 

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly with the department concerned. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: 

http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/

Company

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is a government department, which was created by Theresa May on 14 July 2016 following her appointment as Prime Minister, created as a result of a merger between the Department of Energy and Climate Change and Department for Business, Innovation and Skill

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