Job summary
Local government plays a critical role in addressing the strategic challenges facing the country. Local authorities deliver vital public services that we all see, and use, every day: social care for adults and children, caring for some of the most vulnerable in society; running schools and ensuring every child gets a good education; regenerating our high streets; and keeping our streets safe and clean.
The Local Government Finance directorate is responsible for ensuring that the core elements of the local government finance system operate effectively and that councils have the funding they need to deliver the services that local residents rely on, as well as other key government priorities. Our directorate tackles the biggest policy questions facing local government to ensure the sector is sustainable, effective, and productive.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Local Government Finance directorate and be responsible for answering these policy questions that have a tangible impact on people�s lives. Our work is high-profile and demanding, but incredibly rewarding. We work closely with Ministers, local authorities and colleagues across the civil service and our work has a positive real-world impact.
As well as being a high performing directorate, we are also a friendly and diverse group of people from all walks of life. We have a strong corporate identity built on collaborative and flexible working and a commitment to ensuring our staff are happy and supported to be their best. We take flexible working seriously and are committed to being a friendly and supportive place to work. We have groups of staff in both Darlington and London, as well as in other office locations.�
We will be hosting an in person drop-in session at the Darlington Economic Campus (DEC)�to learn more of the roles. The DEC hosts different departments and is rapidly expanding both in numbers and buildings. DEC has a strong vision of making government, policy making and delivery stronger through a diverse workforce which is more representative of the public we serve.��
Tuesday 16th July 12:00 - 13:00. Please send an email to �to�receive more information.��
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Job description
We are recruiting for�a number of�roles across the different divisions in�the�directorate. We have roles available in different teams within these divisions and�you�ll�find out more information on this if successful.�
The Divisions
LGF Stewardship�- The LGF Stewardship division�is responsible for�administration of the Business Rates Retention system, the LG DEL payments system, managing local authority financial risk and EFS requests and the capital system.��
Local Government Funding Strategy�- The Local Government Funding Strategy division�is responsible for�understanding what funding local government needs to deliver public services and working closely with Ministers to deliver funding, reform how local government works, and ensure the sector is on a sustainable footing.�
Local Taxation and Pensions�- The Local Taxation and Pensions division oversees the council tax and business rates systems, which together generate over �60bn of tax income for local authorities, as well as overseeing the �364 billion Local Government Pensions Scheme � the largest public service pension scheme in the UK.�
Care, Reform and Grants�- The Care, Reform and Grants division lead on adult social care and children�s services policy and funding and oversee Section 31 Grants policy and the New Burdens doctrine; working collaboratively with DHSC, DfE, the NHS and others to join up health and social care services, as well as overseeing the New Burdens Doctrine and the section 31 grant landscape.�
As a G7 policy team leader in Local Government Finance, your key responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:�
1. Analysing and synthesising�large amounts�of information, drawing�out important patterns and communicating�these effectively � both written and orally - to senior stakeholders, including Ministers.����
2. Leading on developing policy solutions and�briefing ministers and/or senior officials on a range of policy options with clarity and confidence.��
3. Leading on wider strategy and policy work�to�identify�areas for improvement�within policy areas.�
4. Communicating government policy to a wide range of audiences, including MPs,�non-experts�and�members of the public.�
5. Overseeing and providing support on Department of State functions: overseeing answering PQs, correspondence and preparing briefings.�
6. Leading effective engagement with local authorities.�
7. Building and�maintaining�essential working relationships with key stakeholders inside and outside Government.�
8. Influencing a wide variety of stakeholders across the department to ensure the directorate and local government sector�s priorities are reflected in wider departmental and government strategy.�����
9. Leading a team, including line managing more junior team members, ensuring that priorities are met, and individuals�have the opportunity to�develop their knowledge and skills effectively.��
10. Playing an active corporate role in developing the directorate as�a great place�to work.��
Darlington is the second hub of LGF which now makes up a significant percentage of our directorate. We have a strong and growing presence�that�we are keen to expand.�Our Darlington presence�includes�a number of�different divisions in our directorate and includes an SCS presence working from�the�DEC.
Person specification
You will be able to lead on projects and workstreams, deliver products to a high quality, influence stakeholders and colleagues at�different levels, apply critical judgement to make decisions, and negotiate and influence effectively.���
You will be able act as a source of�expertise, and input into a wide range of areas to support effective policy development. Prior knowledge of local government is not�required, but the ability to learn and quickly develop�expertise�is important.���
You will be adept at handling�different types�of information and reaching well-informed judgements. You will be able understand and consider how your work fits into the wider priorities of the Department. You will be able to steer and support effective policy development.��
Essential Criteria:�
11. Being�a strategic thinker�and having�a proactive attitude, eager to learn and adaptable to change.���
12. Being an effective team leader, with an ability to get the best out of individuals.��
13. Being able to confidently�represent�government with stakeholders and influence decision making.��
14. Being comfortable working with stakeholders with a wide range of views.�
15. The ability to proactively develop and�maintain�networks to support effective delivery of our�objectives.��
16. Having excellent verbal and written communication, with an understanding of how to tailor messaging to different audiences.����
17. The ability to synthesise complex information, draw strategic links and prioritise work.����
18. Being a creative problem-solver, able to�identify�risks, escalate them where�appropriate�and mitigate them.���
19. Being highly organised, able to deliver through themselves and others, and�with strong attention to detail.��
20. Being experienced at leading junior staff, supporting their development and coaching others to drive success.�
The work is fast-paced, diverse and interesting, and would suit someone who enjoys developing and using�expertise�to provide advice, solve problems and support policy development.�
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
21. Seeing the Big Picture
22. Making Effective Decisions
23. Communicating and Influencing
24. Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
25. The technical skills required for the Policy Profession, assessed via an in-tray exercise
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �51,934, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities contributes �14,022 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
26. Learning and development tailored to your role
27. An environment with flexible working options
28. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
29. A with an average employer contribution of 27%