CSSU pilots - Junior-level (HEO)

Job summary

The Civil Service Strategy Unit (CSSU) is at the heart of the government's agenda for change, aimed at growing the economy and improving people's lives right across the United Kingdom. We are an active part of the Future Civil Service Group (FCS), whose mission is simple: to make it easier for people to get great things done across the civil service and wider public sector. With FCS Group colleagues, we aim to improve speed, efficiency and innovation in improving public services, making them joined-up, resilient and effective in meeting the public's needs and expectations.

In CSSU we ensure that priority, cross cutting reform initiatives are developed, prioritised, delivered and scaled. With a direct link to the Civil Service Chief Operating Officer and liaison with Ministers, we have the ability to champion reform issues at the highest levels of government. This is an ambitious role looking at all aspects of the Civil Service, it is focusing on how we can radically improve our people, organisation, and digital use in departments, functions, professions and public bodies. We are a delivery-focused "think-and-do" tank where you can iterate, test, and fail fast, learning lessons on the way to find what truly works. CSSU has been newly reshaped in order to be more agile to the key strategic issues. The Directorate consists of around 50+ staff, located across the UK, who work together to deliver high quality strategic advice.

The role:

This is an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated and detail-oriented HEO to provide essential support for the CSSU and Future Civil Service (FCS) pilots workstream. Working closely with the G7 and SEO, you will play a crucial role in gathering evidence that underpins our pilots including across international comparators. Your work will be instrumental in ensuring data is well-managed, workstreams are well managed, and that senior-level reports are built on accurate, robust information, helping to drive a more agile and productive Civil Service. You will also support international engagement and finding best practice where needed.

Job description

Duties Involved:

• Research & Information Gathering: Conduct thorough research to support the baselining, design and evaluation of the pilots workstream, gathering information from various sources inside and outside government.
• Briefing & Reporting Support: Contribute to the preparation of reports and briefings by collating data, formatting documents, and ensuring all content is accurate and ready for review.
• Data Collection & Management: Own the collection and accuracy of all data for the assigned pilot workstreams. Maintain central trackers and databases with the latest information and insights.
• Stakeholder Liaison: Act as a key point of contact for routine queries and information requests from internal and external stakeholders regarding pilot workstream logistics and data.
• Logistics & Administrative Support: Provide logistical, Project management, and administrative support for pilot workstream-related meetings and workshops across departments. This includes scheduling, minute-taking, and action-tracking.
• Team Contribution: Support the G7 and SEO with ad-hoc administrative tasks and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the team.

Person specification

The work of this team is highly dynamic and requires a proactive approach. The successful candidate must demonstrate

• Exceptional flexibility and agility, with the ability to respond to new and changing strategic priorities.
• This includes the ability to create clarity in ambiguity by working iteratively on proposals and solutions, often in a sprint-based approach.
• We require critical problem-solving skills to perform effectively in a complex environment and
• A proven capacity for influencing and delivering through others to ensure we achieve our strategic objectives.
• Organisation & Attention to Detail: Exceptional organisational skills and a meticulous approach to detail, ensuring all data and documentation is accurate and well-managed.
• Data Literacy: Strong ability to work with and manage data in spreadsheets (e.g., Google Sheets, Excel).
• Communication: Clear, concise, and accurate written and verbal communication.
• Proactive Problem-Solving: A proactive and can-do attitude, with the ability to identify and resolve administrative issues.
• Teamwork: A supportive and proactive approach to working within a small team.

Distribution of tasks

The percentages below represent an indicative average distribution of effort across a typical work cycle.

• Data Management & Research: 35% (Leading data collection and research for all pilots).
• Briefing & Reporting Support: 25% (Collating data and drafting sections of reports and briefings).
• Logistics & Administrative Support: 30% (Providing logistical and administrative support for meetings and workshops, Project managing workstreams).
• Stakeholder Liaison: 10% (Acting as a key point of contact for routine queries).

Additional information:

Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,250, Cabinet Office contributes £11,370 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).

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

Things you need to know

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

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