Department for Education
Deputy Director for SEND Engagement and Public Affairs
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Deputy Director for SEND Engagement and Public Affairs
City of Westminster, London (region), SW1P 3BT
Job Summary
Schools Group is seeking an exceptional leader to join the Directorate responsible for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities as Deputy Director for Engagement and Public Affairs. This is a high-profile role at the heart of government, offering the opportunity to shape education policy and delivery of the SEND reform strategy.
You will lead a multidisciplinary team, working closely with Ministers, Parliament, and stakeholders across government and the 0-25 SEND system to deliver flagship government reforms that will have a lasting impact on the experience and outcomes of children and young people with SEND and their families. This is a top priority of the Secretary of State.
If successful for this career-defining role, you will grow and nurture a dynamic and expert team to develop an engagement and public affairs programme that will help shape the future of education in England. The role demands a brilliant mix of detailed policy and Parliamentary knowledge, persuasive communication skills, alongside wider strategic vision for education. This is a rare opportunity to lead the delivery of a complex and significant programme of work with an emphasis on building coalitions and co-creating strategy and policy with a broad range of stakeholders.
You will bring a strong track-record of leadership, ideally from managing previous high-profile strategy across Government, and the drive to apply that expertise in a fast-paced, high-impact environment. This role offers exceptional exposure to the top-level workings of the department and government as well as an unparalleled opportunity to shape engagement with a wide and varied cross-section of passionate and committed stakeholders. It is an excellent opportunity to develop and hone the skills required to progress further in the Civil Service in this pivotal role.
Job Description
The post-holder will lead the SEND Engagement and Public Affairs Division and will have the following responsibilities:
- Leading on SEND, engagement and public affairs
- Providing expert advice to Ministers, senior officials, and Parliamentarians on strategy, risks, and opportunities
- Managing relationships with stakeholders to build consensus and support and ensure that their voices are heard throughout
- Ensuring robust governance, risk management, and delivery planning are in place throughout the process
- Representing the Department for Education at senior cross-government forums and in public and Parliamentary settings
- Inspiring, leading, and developing a high-performing team, fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture
- Growing and line managing the Engagement Team to ensure it is high-performing and resilient, particularly during busy periods
- Actively supporting wellbeing and learning across the division
Please note that this role is available if you are based in London only, as it will require regular physical presence in London and some unsociable hours. The division operates a flexi-leave system to support colleagues in maintaining a work-life balance.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
We are looking for you to demonstrate the following essential skills and experience:
- Previous experience working in SEND and alternative provision, or a similarly high-profile public service reform programme
- Proven strategic leadership experience in leading highly complex education based engagement and public affairs projects at scale, with a track record for delivering results under pressure
- Strong political awareness, ideally in relation to SEND reforms and the ability to operate confidently in a public and Parliamentary environment
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with proven ability to build trusted, influential relationships with stakeholders
- Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the values of the Civil Service
- Experience leading across teams to deliver challenging outcomes, with a strong ability to build and sustain resilient teams through a clear and engaging shared vision
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Desirable Criteria (to be used at interview, in a tie-break scenario, to make an informed decision):
- Previous experience in stakeholder engagement and/ or public affairs
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £86,000, Department for Education contributes £24,914 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances, but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
Application
To apply for this role, you will be required to provide a CV and Statement of Suitability.
Your CV should set out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. Your Statement of Suitability (no longer than 750 words), should detail how you meet the essential criteria outlined above and on page 7 of the attached candidate pack. Should we receive a high volume of applications, then we will sift on the first essential criteria only.
We will use your CV and Statement of Suitability to assess your suitability for the role against the essential criteria listed in the person specification section above.
Those successful at sift will be invited to attend an interview.
Selection Process Details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Strengths and Experience.
Interview
Shortlisted candidates will take part in a formal interview which will aim to be held on either 24th or 29th July and will be face to face in London or virtual.
As part of the interview process, you will be asked to prepare a 5 minute verbal presentation (further information will be shared with shortlisted candidates) and you will be asked questions to further assess your Experience and Strengths using the Civil Service Strengths Dictionary.
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As part of the recruitment process we may request references.
The Department for Education does not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
Please note that at interview stage we may ask if you have any conflicts of interest to declare.
Other Information
We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe 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 circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.
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.
Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs
Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.
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
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