Job summary
We are running an information session where prospective applicants can find out more about the role. This will be hosted by Paul Harron, and will take place on:
10:00 – 10:45 Thursday 5th December
The session will be an opportunity to hear more about the role, the team and wider directorate and the department. It will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions.
Please register your interest by filling out this form and you will be sent an invitation.
Job description
The role offers a high level of autonomy as well as the opportunity to work collaboratively with senior external stakeholders, including the Royal Household, No 10, Cabinet Office, Committee Chairs and members. It requires efficient management of rigorous, time bound and transparent processes. The team is experienced and knowledgeable and working on Honours is rewarding as it celebrates excellent and often selfless work in diverse aspects of UK life, and enjoys a national profile. DCMS is the biggest departmental contributor of nominations to the Honours system (run by Cabinet Office). The Honours & Awards Team is a highly collaborative team, so there is plenty of support.
The job includes:
- Leading the delivery of and owning responsibility for DCMS Honours nominations for specific lists, ensuring delivery of Birthday and New Year Honours according to strict deadlines
- Liaison with Cabinet Office, the Royal Household (eg. on Royal Garden Party nominations), No.10, Committee Chairs and Members
- Working with and leading on a new Honours case management system, managing its budget and being lead POC with supplier
- Shared line and task management of EOs within the Honours Team
- Drafting submissions and briefings
- Liaising closely with the Permanent Secretary and her office, SCS and policy teams and Honours coordinators at key points
Person specification
Essential requirements:
- Excellent planning, coordination and project management skills
- Experience of working at pace and and prioritising work to meet strict deadlines
- Good written and oral communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels
- Experience of drawing information from a variety of sources and making sound recommendations
- The ability to work collaboratively and flexibly
Desirable skills:
- Previous experience working on similar Departmental Honours
- Line and task management
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
DCMS values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. We’re committed to developing talent, and supporting colleagues to have great careers in our department. To support with that, some of the benefits we offer include:
- Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working – DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home
- 26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years’ service
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
- Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice
- 3 days of paid volunteering leave
- Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave
- Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year
- Occupational sick pay
- Access to the Employee Assistance Programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice
- Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks
- Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day to day work
- Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!
Terms and conditions at SCS grades will vary. Those applying for SCS roles should refer to the candidate information pack for more information on terms and conditions.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
To apply for this vacancy, you will need to submit the following documents which will assessed against the experience success profile:
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you provide employment history that relates to the essential and desirable criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages and you should insert your CV into the “Job History” section on Civil Service Jobs on the Civil Service Jobs application form.
- A Statement of Suitability (max 500 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential requirements highlighted. You may also choose to reference the desirable skills listed however these will not be considered in the assessment of your application except in circumstances where there are a high number and calibre of candidates.
For the shortlist, we will select applicants demonstrating the best fit for the role by considering the evidence provided in your application.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial sift will be conducted on the statement of suitability. Those who are successful in the initial sift will then be scored on all elements of the application.
For support in writing your application and interviewing, please refer to the ‘Application and Interview Guidance’ document attached to the job advert.
The interview process will assess behaviours and strengths.
The behaviours to be tested at interview are:
● Communicating and Influencing
● Managing a quality service
● Working together
● Delivering at pace
Prior to the interview you will be sent the behaviour questions in advance. You will not be made aware of the strengths being assessed prior to your interview.
Your interview will take place remotely via GoogleMeets.
For indicative sift and interview dates please refer to the attached Candidate information pack.
Further information
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Department for Culture, Media and Sport 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.
Reasonable Adjustment
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process.
In order to request an adjustment, please:
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on 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 a verbal test rather than a written one.
Alternatively, contact the Government Recruitment Service via dcmsrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility difficulties with any of the attachments, please contact us. Contact details can be found in the ‘contact point for applicants’ section of the job advert.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Paul Harron
- Email : paul.harron@dcms.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dcmsrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact recruitment.team@dcms.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/civilservicerecruitmentcomplaints/
