Department for Education
Higher Technical Qualifications Grants Lead
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Locations
Coventry (CV1 2WT), Darlington (DL1 5QE), Manchester (M1 2WD), Nottingham (NG2 1AW)*, Sheffield (S1 2FJ)
Please note– Nottingham currently have site controls in place. Therefore, this location option is only available to existing DfE employees already assigned to this office location.
Job Summary
IMPORTANT - This vacancy is using the Civil Service Numerical and Verbal tests. The deadline for completing the tests is the same as the vacancy closing date. Please ensure you complete the tests with sufficient time to complete the written application.
The post holder will be joining the provider team at a critical point for these reforms to increase uptake and quality of Level 4/5 courses. Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) are new and existing Level 4/5 qualifications approved as covering the knowledge, skills and behaviours employers need for a given occupation, we are rolling them out between September 2022 and September 2025. The first approved HTQs are being taught and this work is designated a Major Programme by Infrastructure and Projects Authority.
The successful candidate will join the provider support team, and will ensure that education providers delivering these qualifications are receiving effective funding to help aid the successful roll-out of these qualifications.
Job Description
Responsibilities
Responsibilities will include, but not limited to:
- Supporting the assessment stage and roll-out of a major government funding programme.
- Analysing and interpreting data sources and providing clear, concise data output dashboards for QA and interpretation by stakeholders.
- Providing direct support to providers wishing to access funding.
- Leading on the development of the strategic priorities grant higher technical education element, including working with other teams to best decide how funds should be allocated.
Working Pattern
We welcome applications from candidates seeking part time or compressed working pattern. However, due to the nature of the work and the shift coverage required, the minimum number of contracted hours for this role is 30 hours per week over a 4 day period.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- Sound knowledge and experience of data analytics and reconciliation.
- Knowledge of coding and SQL in particular.
- Demonstrate strong organisational skills, be able to prioritise workloads and manage several conflicting and diverse projects.
- Demonstrate the ability to think clearly and work flexibly to manage and deliver competing outcomes within challenging deadlines.
- Have strong stakeholder engagement skills, being able to communicate effectively across all platforms and to a diverse audience.
- Have resilience when working on projects, including working well under pressure or in changing environments.
- Experience of detailed Quality assurance processes.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of Higher Education and/or skills reform.
- Experience of grant management.
- Experience of handling data, for example SQL or Data Bricks.
- Experience of using Microsoft Excel.
Desirable criteria will only be assessed at interview in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
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Salary and Benefits
Alongside your salary of £37,260, Department for Education contributes £10,794 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).
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 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.
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 and Experience.
Application Process
To apply for this role, please select 'Apply Now' at the top or bottom of this advert. CV details need to be included in the template within the application form; attached or emailed CVs will not be considered.
Stages
Stage 1: Civil Service Numerical Test (CSNT)
When you have completed your personal information, you will be asked to complete the CSNT. You must achieve the minimum pass mark to progress to the next stage.
Stage 2: Civil Service Verbal Test (CSVT)
When you have completed the CSNT, you will be asked to complete the CSVT. You must achieve the minimum pass mark to progress to the next stage.
It is important you allow enough time to complete the test online (within 24-48 hours is recommended), and obtain the results before you can complete your full application online prior to the test closing date and time.
Do not leave completing the tests until the last minute in case you experience any access or technical issues. There may not be technical support available after business hours.
While the tests should work on most operating systems and modern browsers with a good internet connection, we cannot guarantee that every combination will work. At the beginning, the test will check which browser you are using, and alert you if it is likely to be incompatible.
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It is highly recommended that you complete the online tests on a desktop computer, not a mobile phone or tablet.
If you are unsuccessful in passing the online tests you will be unable to continue any further in the application process. If you successfully pass the tests, you will then progress to stage 3 of completing the full application.
Stage 3: Written Application
At sift stage, you will be assessed on your Experience in line with the essential skills listed in the person specification section of the job advert.
Stage 4: Interview
If successful at sift, candidates will be assessed via interview. At interview you will be asked questions around the behaviours listed in the advert to demonstrate, using examples how you meet the essential criteria listed in the advert.
Interviews will take place towards the end of September 2026. Please note these dates are subject to change. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Interviews will be held over video conferencing using MS Teams. If you are invited to interview, please ensure that you have access to this software and that you have your video turned on. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We receive many applications, and unfortunately we’re not able to provide feedback for candidates who aren’t shortlisted. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
All communications will be electronic therefore it is vitally important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder.
To Apply For This Role, Please Provide
- A Short CV setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role.
- Your Statement of Suitability – In no more than 1000 words, provide examples of how your personal skills, qualities and experience meet the essential criteria. This is not intended to be a cover letter, instead work through each essential criteria in turn. You may wish to follow the STAR technique to help focus your examples. The key things we are looking for are what you did, how you did it and what the outcome was.
To confirm, the maximum word count for the statement of suitability is 1000 words. Please adhere to this limit as anything over 1000 words will not be taken into account.
Should there be a high volume of applicants, candidates may be sifted on the first three (3) essential criteria.
Application sifting will take place 07 September 2026. Please note these dates are subject to change.
Please note, CV details must be contained within the template on the application form. Any CV or Statement of Suitability that has been emailed to our team will not be considered.
We reserve the right to increase the minimum pass mark for the CSNT and CSVT where there is a high volume of applications or a particularly strong field of candidates. Where this occurs, candidates who do not meet the revised pass mark will not progress further, and their written application will not be assessed.
Important Information
If you fail to complete the tests before the deadline, your application will
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