Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Devolution and Strategic Engagement Lead (Scotland)
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Scotland
Job Summary
We are seeking an outstanding Devolution and Strategic Engagement Lead to join the DWP - Jobs and Careers Service Scotland Leadership Team. This is a unique opportunity to influence and shape strategic partnership activity across Scotland, ensuring DWP’s priorities, programmes and services align effectively with the devolved landscape and key national and regional partners.
Applicants should only apply for roles where they can reasonably undertake frequent travel throughout Scotland. While travel will be required to locations across Scotland, regular attendance at key sites in Glasgow, Falkirk and Edinburgh will also be expected.
Please note, this vacancy are not currently eligible for new applications for Visa Sponsorship on the Skilled Worker route, for any candidates who do not currently have permission to be in the UK as a Skilled Worker where they were sponsored before 4 April 2024, even if relying on tradeable points (including the new entrant tradeable points option) as they are not included in the published Immigration Salary List. This information is offered as guidance only, and we recommend that applicants seek specialist advice.
Job Description
- Build and develop strategic relationships with external stakeholders such as the Scottish Government, Social Security Scotland, Skills Development Scotland, the Improvement Service, Local Authorities, NHS Scotland, Scottish Prison Service, and key third-sector organisations.
- Maintain strong relationships with the devolved administration in Scotland, supporting the delivery of devolved employment programmes, resolving issues, managing sensitivities and identifying opportunities to strengthen collaboration.
- Ensure DWP policy objectives are clearly understood and reflected locally.
- Provide insight and expertise on devolution matters, ensuring alignment between DWP’s objectives and those of Scottish and local government partners.
- Act as a key link between DWP policy, programme delivery, and regional stakeholders, feeding intelligence into DWP’s strategic horizon scanning and operational planning.
- Support effective, joined-up employment, partnership provision and reserved and devolved funding streams at a Scotland level by avoiding duplication, improving efficiency, and maximising outcomes.
- Lead collaboration with Commercial and Finance partners to develop effective provision management and commissioned services. Providing strategic oversight of governance and financial accountability.
- Analyse and interpret Scottish labour market intelligence, workforce planning priorities and future skills needs, using evidence and insight to inform policy development, strategic employer engagement and operational delivery across DWP and partner organisations.
- Maintain a level of expertise on a range of partnership topics. This includes representing DWP externally in stakeholder forums, working groups and supporting DWP’s external facing roles across Scotland to do the same.
- To provide support to Area Directors, Group Directors and Service Leaders to enable appropriate strategic relationships with stakeholders and Parliamentary members across the Group.
Person Specification
Key Criteria
- Experience of influencing or engaging senior stakeholders to share policy, strategy or delivery outcomes (Lead Criteria)
- Proven systems leadership and ability to engage senior internal and external stakeholders.
- Understanding of devolution with knowledge of Scottish and UK Government devolution and devolved policy frameworks, with the ability to assess how this impacts DWP services. (Desirable)
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills, with ability to tailor messages for different audiences, simplify complex issues and handle sensitive topics effectively.
- Experience of providing high quality briefings to support senior colleagues at meetings with internal and external partners.
- Ability to work with autonomy and authority, leading work across organisational boundaries, setting expectations for others and ensuring coherence and alignment across teams or organisations.
- Ability to confidently use Microsoft 365 applications (including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams), interpret and work with management information, and adapt quickly to new digital systems and processes.
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Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
Salary and Benefits
Alongside your salary of £57,946, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £16,786 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work/life balance which includes:
- Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
- Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro-rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
- Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
- Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
- Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
- Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
- An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection Process Details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
Stage 1 – Application
Initially you will be asked if you have the right to work in the UK and meet Civil Service nationality requirements and your personal details. (if you are successful after interview you will be asked to provide documentation to prove this. This will include proof of ID, including photo ID or equivalent biometric passport/share code and proof of address).
For more information on job nationality requirements and the right to work in the UK, see the Civil Service Nationality rules Civil Service recruitment: nationality rules - GOV.UK and the UK Visas and Immigration rules UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK.
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Stage 2 - A name blind CV
We will ask you to provide your CV in an anonymised format. This will remove information that could identify you, such as your name, age or gender. The CV is an on-line tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobs site and there is no requirement to upload your personal CV. Our CV element is short, and allows an initial check of eligibility, so please put the main content of your evidence and skills in your Personal Statement. Your CV allows you to summarise your education, work history, skills and experience which relate to the job you are applying for. Your CV will not be assessed.
Stage 3 - Personal Statement
The written sift will be conducted using evidence from your Personal Statement and will be assessed against the Key Criteria above.
Please complete up to 1250 words providing examples of how things you have done in the past and your skills and experience help you demonstrate the Key Criteria requirements.
The layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. You may choose to address each criteria separately, however, one narrative example may cover and evidence several Key Criteria. You do not have to explain the full process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used. Share with us what makes you suited to this role and why. What you can do, the skills you have that are transferable and the life experience or passion you have that are linked to this role.
In the event of a large number of applications we may use the Lead Criteria, "Experience of influencing or engaging senior stakeholders to share policy, strategy or delivery outcomes " to initially assess your application during the Sift stage. In this instance candidates who pass the initial Sift will be progressed to a full Sift.
We recognise that AI may be helpful when applying for this role, but it is important to use it in the right way. Read our DWP AI Candidate Guide on how to make the best use of GenAI while ensuring your application remains authentic and effective.
Stage 4 - Interview
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a face-to-face blended Interview in Falkirk Jobcentre, lasting up to 1 hour. The panel will be a minimum of three people and will assess behaviours and strengths.
Behaviours To Be Assessed Are
- Leadership
- Seeing the Bigger Picture
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
You will be asked to provide a 5-minute presentation on a specific subject, which you will be provided with in your invitation to interview. You will be allowed to use one single slide if you wish.
Please note, this is not mandatory, and you will not be negatively impacted should you choose not to use a slide.
Candidates will be asked further probing questions to determine suitability for the role.
Interview scheduled to be held in November, date to be confirmed.
The Civil Service uses a Behaviour Framework to assess candidates’ knowledge and skills.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to attend an interview, please ensure you state this on your application form when asked to do so.
Hybrid Working
This role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work.
If a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for the role and for
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