If you experience technical issues during the application process we have found using a different browser or device in the first instance can be a quick fix.

If those don't work please email the Resourcing Hub at recruitment@levellingup.gov.uk with your application and/or CV before the submission deadline. Any applications received after the deadline may not be considered.

Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced and dynamic individual to play a key role in managing delivery of a number of new flagship DLUHC programmes in one or more regions in Wales which will be agreed with the successful candidate. Working closely with the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Office and alongside other Area Teams across the UK to help drive economic growth and deliver the UK Government’s ambition to level-up. The new programmes include the £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund, Community Renewal Fund, Community Ownership Fund, UK Shared Prosperity and Freeports, making a real difference to communities across the whole of the UK.

About the team

The Wales Team is made up of 4 regional teams covering North, South West, South East and Mid Wales. We relationship manage 22 local authorities, business intermediaries and many other local stakeholders. Our mission is to empower places - from rural to major cities, from prosperous places to those facing challenges in the modern economy, to bolster their potential through boosting economic growth. We lead on a range of initiatives including support for towns and high streets, local growth strategies and economic intelligence.

We are recruiting for 1 post with specific responsibility for:

• Developing and using knowledge of the opportunities and challenges faced by places to support delivery of the Levelling Up Fund, Community Renewal Fund, Community Ownership Fund, UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Freeports within an agreed geographical region/s within Wales.

• Acting as a critical friend and sponsor of local government and others within one or more regions in Wales, levering solutions where issues and barriers arise.

• Working with local partners and stakeholders, including local authorities to ensure fair and open access to the bidding process for the Levelling Up Fund.

• Establishing strong relationships with the DLUHC central Appraisal Hub and Project Team.

• Feeding strategic local knowledge and intelligence about Wales into the appraisal, assessment and decision-making process, through discussions with the central team and individual places to help inform prioritisation of local authority projects and in particular development of UK Shared Prosperity ‘Investment Plans’.

• Ensuring places within an agreed region/s in Wales submit accurate programme level returns on time and use the agreed performance management and evaluation framework to ensure consistent delivery across all funds.

• Being the main point of contact for a number of lead local authorities in Wales, managing relationships, holding regular review meetings and more formal annual/six monthly ‘Single Conversations’ to discuss governance, programme spend and wider programme performance.

• Line management of a small team of SEO/HEOs with a focus on creating an inclusive and diverse team culture.

We are looking for someone who has:

Essential:

• Deep/credible knowledge of the economic growth landscape within Wales.

• Ability to converse in the medium of Welsh and/or prepared to learn.

• Confident with excellent communication and influencing skills.

• Ability to organise and make judgements about a number of complex issues across multiple policy areas at once.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including experience of representing the UK Government with senior external stakeholders.

• A strong track record of working collaboratively across teams, whilst evidencing an ability to lead others within or outside of formal line management responsibilities.

• A proven ability to work in and lead others with confidence through a fast-paced, complicated and often political environment whilst maintain quality.

• Personal resilience and can maintain a well-balanced and inclusive work environment.

Selection process details

At DLUHC we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce. We promote equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment and a working environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation.

We would strongly recommend that applicants get in touch with the vacancy manager to find out more information about this role.

We are for everyone

DLUHC want to bring in a diverse workforce at all levels.

Our application system is designed to remove as much bias as possible from the recruitment system – this means that a hiring manager does not know your name, your details, see your whole application in one go (or have your CV at review stage unless stated otherwise).

Your answers are randomised and chunked up. This means that each assessor views sets of responses to questions for example all candidates’ responses to ‘Seeing the Big Picture’ rather than seeing a candidate’s full application. The science behind this is that recruitment can be subject to ordering and fatigue effects and we want to reduce this as much as possible.

Most of our campaigns utilise multiple assessors and so it is possible that each of your answers would be viewed by different assessors.

When writing your application, remember:

The assessor won’t be reading your answers sequentially.

Do not assume that the same assessors will have read all of your answers.

If talking about something in your first answer, make sure that you write the second answer as if you had not written the first (and so on!)

At sift, we will be assessing:

Behaviour 1 (lead behaviour) Communicating and Influencing

Behaviour 2: Seeing the Big Picture

Behaviour 3: Leadership

Behaviour 4: Delivering at Pace

There is a 250 word limit per question.

In the event that we receive a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift using the lead behaviour listed in the advert. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview

The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of behaviour and strength based questions as listed in the advert. The strength based questions will require natural responses from the candidates.

In full the campaign will test the below Success Profile Elements:

Behaviours: Communicating and Influencing, Seeing the Big Picture, Leadership, Delivering at Pace, Working Together, Making Effective Decisions

Strengths: Yes

We do not consider direct CV applications to our Recruitment mailbox – you must apply for this role via the application link on Civil Service Jobs

Please note that near miss offers may be made at the lower grade to candidates who do not meet the grade criteria for this campaign

Grade 7 salary

The salary for this role is £53,132 (London) or £48,197 (National).

For existing civil servants, the usual policy on level transfer and promotion will apply and is non-negotiable.

Transfers across the Civil Service on or after 4 October 2018:

Any move to DLUHC 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.

For further information about the benefits available to DLUHC employees, please see the attached Candidate Pack.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION:

Wales

Note: There may be opportunities for candidates to work flexibly depending on the business needs. This will be discussed with the vacancy manager on a case-by-case basis if you are successful for the role. The nature of the role also means that travel will be expected across the area.

SIFT AND INTERVIEW DATES:

Sifting is envisaged to commence 9th August with interview dates to be confirmed. All interviews are currently being held remotely via videocall.