Investment Appraisal Officer
Department of Health and Social Care
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 6th May 2024
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About the job
Job summary
In DHSC, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you’d like to work in, we’d love to hear from you.
This is an exciting time to be part of the DHSC’s Investment Appraisal team. We are a diverse group of individuals who appraise and assure some of the Department and Government’s most high-profile investment programmes such as the New Hospitals Programme, Adult Social Care Reforms or new capital investment for Diagnostics or the Elective Recovery backlog. In addition, we support and assure a varied and interesting portfolio of projects which includes but is not limited to:
- NHS Capital Investments such as upgrades, refurbishment or reconfiguration of hospitals and the wider NHS Estate
- Vaccine procurements
- Major NHS and DHSC policy initiatives and delivery.
The work we do matters, assessing major investment programmes and projects business cases to ensure they are set up for success, and supporting them to deliver health and care infrastructure that truly affects everyone’s lives.
The team sits within the Capital Directorate, which brings together the policy, financial and project management experience to deliver the Department’s ambitious capital investment programme for the NHS estate, the Department and its other ALBs.
We are a multi-disciplinary, multi-site team with a focus on learning and developing our people, delivering at pace and strong stakeholder engagement. We work as one virtual team with our partners in NHS Finance to improve the quality of business cases, alongside co-ordinating the engagement and input of a broader network of Economic, Commercial, PFI and Project Management specialists. We value diversity, inclusion, teamwork, continuous improvement, and flexible working arrangements.
Job description
The role will assist the G7 Investment Appraisal Manager to coordinate the assurance process for a portfolio of major capital investments across DHSC, its Arms-Length Bodies and the NHS as outlined above.
Initially working closely with the G7 Investment Appraisal Manager who will provide training and guidance, we anticipate the successful candidate will develop in the role to gain greater autonomy and ownership over their portfolio as they progress.
The successful candidate will support programmes and projects in their portfolio through the business case process while independently assuring the strategic and financial dimensions of the case. They will also support their G7 Investment Appraisal Manager by drafting written and oral briefings for DHSC’s investment committees and ministers which identify key risks and other issues, while working collaboratively with key stakeholders to bring these to resolution.
As well as financial and assurance expertise, the role would benefit from strong stakeholder management skills and will include gaining exposure to senior leaders in both DHSC and the NHS on high profile investments across the Health Group. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to work with DHSC Ministers and their Private Offices to understand and address their concerns and work collaboratively with HMT officials.
Person specification
Key accountabilities for the role include:
- Support the G7 Investment Appraisal Manager to manage a portfolio of business cases through the assurance process, working alongside subject matter experts to ensure reviews are done in a timely fashion and providing assurance to the Director General Finance, 2nd Permanent Secretary and Ministers.
- Co-ordinate DHSC assurance on all 5 dimensions of the business case and act as the specialist ‘keyholder’ for the Strategic dimension of the business case. There will also be the opportunity for the candidate to develop their knowledge of the other dimensions of the business case including performing the review of the finance dimension of business cases.
- Produce reports and briefings for the Department’s Investment Committee and the Joint NHS Investment Committee and Sub-Committee on business cases working as one National Capital Assurance Team with NHS Finance colleagues
- Draft written submissions to Ministers reflecting the Investment Committee’s assessment and advice on specific business cases for G7 Investment Assurance Manager’s approval.
- Act as a business case partner for programmes and projects being an independent source of advice and information on development of high quality business cases and successfully navigating the approvals process. This may include:
- Contributing to ad-hoc continuous improvement projects, business case standards and guidance for use across the Department and NHS.
- Assisting with the organisation and delivery of ad-hoc training to DHSC policy teams on business cases to covering the HMT Green Book and five case model and how the Investment Approvals process works and promote best practice across the system.
- Support junior staff as needed to plan and co-ordinate effective running of the Department’s 3 Investment Committees
Key skills and experience required for the role
Experience developing and / or assuring business cases. Better Business Case Training is desirable but not mandatory. Better Business Case Training (Foundation) will be provided to successful candidates.
Builds Relationships - Experience of communicating and influencing internal and external stakeholders up to Senior Civil Servant level.
Communicating and Influencing – Experience preparing high quality written advice, tailoring communicating styles within a variety of contexts and audiences.
Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds. Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration and enhancing team working, learning, and support.
You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.
Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need.
There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme 2023-2024. Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Changing and Improving
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
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%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Sift date: W/C 06/05/2024
Interview date: expected W/C 20/05/2024
Interview location: By video. Further details will be released to candidates who are successful at sift.
The available interview slots will be released with the sift scores.
Applications will be sifted on CV, Statement of Suitability, Behaviours and Online Tests.
Please use your CV to set out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role. These can be found in the ‘key skills and experience required for the role’ section of the advert.
Please use your statement of suitability (in no more than 750 words) to outline why you have applied for this role and your most notable achievements that demonstrate the key skills and required for the role as set out in the job advert.
Candidates will be required to complete a Judgement Test as part of the online application, this will follow immediately after the initial short application form is submitted. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the full application. Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended) to give yourself enough time to complete your full application. The closing date for the tests and for submitting your full application is 06/05/2024. If you fail to complete the online test and submit your full application before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.
An initial sift based on your CV and Statement of Suitability may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours and Strengths.
To find out more about working in the department please visit our page on the Civil Service Careers Website here
Applicants who are appointable but were not successful in appointment to this vacancy, may be held on a reserve list for up to 12 months, and contacted if similar vacancies become available.
Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.
Please note that applicants will require BPSS clearance.
Terms and Conditions
Candidates should note that DHSC’s Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful.
New Entrants to the Civil Service
New entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions:
- Annual Leave: 25 days on entry rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff
- Privilege Leave: 1 day - for the King’s birthday
- Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
- Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): one month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months’ full pay and five months’ half pay
- Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allow staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
- Probation: 6 month probation period
Existing Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotion
All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).
Existing DHSC staff, appointed on either level transfer or promotion
If DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSC’s pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).
This role is being advertised on a permanent basis. If preferable, Loan or Secondment options will also be available for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited NDPBs or any other employer (Secondment). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to DHSC 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
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via DHSCRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
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.
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 had their employment continued. Any applicant’s 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.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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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 : Sally Chan
- Email : Sally.chan@dhsc.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dhscrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
