Skills and Development Support Advisor
Department for Business and Trade
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 5th May 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Do you care about the safety of products and want to protect people and places? Can we use your skills, knowledge and experience to enable UK business to thrive? If the answer is yes, then we would like to hear from you!
We are the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), part of the Department for Business & Trade (Previously the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy). We are here for the purpose of making regulation work to deliver real world impact. Regulation is a powerful Government tool to address market failures, influence behaviour and promote positive action. Crafted and delivered well, regulation can be an enabler of growth, innovation and efficiency.
Since early 2018 we have been building a positive and creative team that enjoys a position of influence and respect within an organisation that continues to grow, most recently with the addition of construction products regulation planned.
Our primary purpose is to protect people and places from product-related harm, ensuring consumers and businesses can buy and sell products with confidence.
Further information can be found on our website here.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. We embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (DCS) for people with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
We are Inclusive
We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible and recognise how important inclusivity is to achieve the best outcomes. We hope to attract applications from all underrepresented groups.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation if required to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Job description
Our team
This is an exciting time to join the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) Development and Capability Team. We enable colleagues across the office to deliver their best. For this role, you will be in the Development and Skills Team and will report into the Skills and Development manager.
Our role is to promote learning and development opportunities across the office and empower colleagues to own their development. We support teams and colleagues across the office to develop and access the development and training opportunities they need, alongside supporting the delivery and facilitation of a variety of training programmes which includes a comprehensive induction package for new starters, including a one-day welcome event.
This is a fantastic opportunity to build strong working relationships with colleagues and build your network.
This role is based in Birmingham but travel to other sites may be required.
The role
Learning and development at OPSS is a high priority. One of our core values is always learning and we are passionate around supporting colleagues to plan their own development journey.
This exciting role will provide you with the opportunity to support colleagues to have the skills, knowledge, and experience to fulfil individual and organisational needs. You will be fully supported by the team and will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with teams across OPSS and wider.
We would love to hear from you if you:
- Are passionate about supporting colleagues to deliver their best.
- Enjoy working collaboratively with others.
- Want to develop a career in learning and development.
- Want to contribute towards making OPSS an even greater place to work.
We are looking for someone who is keen to learn and has a positive and enthusiastic approach to their work. This role provides you with a fantastic opportunity to develop your own skills and knowledge through the completion of a Level 3 business administration apprenticeship and further development opportunities.
Apprenticeship details
An apprenticeship is an exciting opportunity to earn whilst you learn by combining theoretical learning with practical on-the-job experience; allowing you to work towards a nationally recognised qualification, whilst building skills in your daily role and earning a salary. An apprenticeship also allows you to secure a qualification with no tuition/student fees as the programme is fully funded by the department.
You will spend 20% of your contracted working hours dedicated to your apprenticeship and will be supported by the learning provider, people manager and work colleagues. The apprenticeship will provide you with new skills to apply to your job role, ensuring you are continuously learning, in a stretching but supportive environment.
At the start of the programme, you will be asked to sign a Learner Agreement to show your commitment to your apprenticeship. This will include agreeing to complete work within agreed timescales, and meeting with your Talent Coach to discuss your progress. So you will need to be fully committed to working towards completing your apprenticeship programme alongside your role responsibilities.
To be eligible to apply for this apprenticeship role, you must:
• Be aged 16 or older.
• Not be in full-time education.
• Not be in receipt of funding for other learning programmes.
• Have an eligible residency status.
If you hold or are working towards a similar qualification of the same level or higher you will not be eligible to apply.
In order to be eligible for the apprenticeship, any qualifications previously held or currently being worked towards must differ in content so that this apprenticeship provides substantial new skills.
If you do not hold Level 2 English and Maths you will be supported to achieve this during your apprenticeship programme.
Further details around the Level 3 business administration apprenticeship can be found here - https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/business-administrator-v1-0.
Watch the become a Civil Service Apprentice here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo_jw4CDlHY
Key Responsibilities
You will be an active member of the OPSS Development and Skills Team. You will provide support to team leaders and senior management in all aspects of learning and development by:
- Running and facilitating events both virtually and in person.
- Building relationships and supporting colleagues across all grades.
- Supporting the management of the team inbox which includes responding to and escalating queries.
- Supporting colleagues by advising what learning and development is available to support them in their roles.
- Supporting with content development and design for training events.
- Supporting with the evaluation and analysis of data relating to learning programmes.
This list is not exhaustive and there will be further work you will have the opportunity to be involved with.
Person specification
Skills and Experience
Personal Attributes & Skills
- IT skills: good knowledge, understanding and experience of using the Microsoft package including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Good interpersonal skills: you are customer focused and can understand learner needs.
- Communication skills: ability to understand and explain things clearly whilst also building and maintaining positive working relationships with others.
- Positive attitude: have the energy and motivation to work towards the Level 3 apprenticeship, whilst also collaborating in a positive and engaging manner with team members.
- Experience of previously working in a team.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Developing Self and Others
- Working Together
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities
Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.
Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.
To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
- A Personal Statement of up to 750 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the Personal Attributes & Skills criteria.
It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.
Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Candidate Support
You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.
Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.
Further Information:
- A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.
- Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
- The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
- New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
- Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty. Any applicant who has details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
- A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
- Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
- Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email: Resourcing@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Complaints_Handling_Procedure-AUGUST-2018.docx.pdf to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Erin Kehoe
- Email : OPSS.recruitment@beis.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email: Resourcing@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints
