Government published the Integrated Communities Strategy Green Paper on 14 March. It invites views on the government’s vision for building strong integrated communities where people – whatever their background – live, work, learn and socialise together, based on shared rights, responsibilities and opportunities.

The Green Paper is currently out for consultation and this is an exciting time to join the Integration and Communities Directorate. We will need to be bold and innovative to get to the heart of some of the most persistent challenges, working in partnership with other government departments, local government, and the faith, voluntary, community and business sectors.

Development of the Green Paper has been a collaborative effort across government and the Green Paper is very much the start, rather than the end, of these efforts. By joining the Directorate now you will have the opportunity to help shape this high profile and important work as we progress.

We are looking for enthusiastic and committed people to join our teams who will thrive in working in a fast – paced and complex policy environment and are comfortable in working closely with a wide range of people in and outside of government.

Roles will be both varied and challenging, your responsibilities could include:

• Developing measures to empower leaders, at a national and local level, to partner with other groups and have the confidence to challenge policies, practices and behaviours which stand in the way of integration.

• Co-ordinating Government’s efforts to build integrated communities and counter those who seek to sow discord and disharmony in our communities through supporting a new Inter Ministerial Group on Safe and Integrated Communities to drive change.

• Working to increase our understanding of what works and why (including stopping doing the things that don’t) in building more integrated communities. Sharing learning and experiences with a wider range of policy makers and practitioners will also be very important.

• Working with colleagues across government to develop a new strategy for English Language in England to improve the coordination of provision to learners and help improve their outcomes.

• Working across the department, and with colleagues in the Home Office, to develop new measures which will help to tackle extremism and to prevent people being drawn into terrorism

• Working in a joint MHCLG Home Office unit to support the resettlement of refugees.

For all National Opportunities, some time working in London, on the basis of business need, should be expected. This often but not exclusively means working in London one day a week, with travel and subsistence. This is flexible for most of the posts available. Candidates will be asked a question later on in the application of their preferred location for the role.

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

*Collaborating and partnering

• Leading and communicating
• Seeing the big picture
• Delivering at pace

PLEASE NOTE: Some of these roles need to be based in London and some can be more flexible on location for successful candidates. Due to the multiple locations of the roles, our pass marks may vary dependent on the preferred location that you have selected resulting in two different pass marks for this vacancy. Pass marks for those wanting to be based in London may be different to the pass marks for candidates wanting to be based outside of London (National). This is to ensure that roles based in London are not offered to candidates wishing to be based elsewhere and vice versa.

At sift we will be assessing:

• Collaborating and Partnering (Lead Competency)
• Leading and Communicating
• Seeing the Big Picture

In the event that we receive a large number of applications, we may sift based on the lead competency (Collaborating and Partnering).

All competencies listed will be assessed at interview. The interview will be of blended nature consisting of both competency and strength based questions. All questions will be based on the competencies listed in the advert. The strength based questions will require a natural responses. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.