Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Leeds, London About the job Job summary In the Department of Health and Social Care, 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 would like to work in, we would love to hear from you. The role is based in the Science, Research and Evidence (SRE) Directorate of the Department of Health and Social Care. As well as leading on health and care research policy on behalf of the Department, the SRE Directorate supports Dr Gail Marzetti and Professor Lucy Chappell in their roles as Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and CEO of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR - https://www.nihr.ac.uk ). Job description The postholder will play a pivotal leading role in driving digital transformation across the national health and care research system. Through its research operational arm (the National Institute for Health and Care Research - NIHR), DHSC is implementing a new digital change programme to make the UK the best place in the world to deliver research that saves and improves lives. If you are a high performing, energetic digital professional, with expertise in both digital strategy and delivery, who wants to lead our bold, new programme of work to transform health and care research through digital, then we want to hear from you. The post is based in the Science, Research & Evidence Directorate of DHSC, which oversees the NIHR. The postholder will shape and oversee delivery, through the NIHR, of a range of transformational digital projects which will fundamentally change and improve how the NIHR funds, delivers and communicates the outcomes of health and care research. Their work will ultimately mean that we can get life-improving research to the people who need it faster and more effectively. The postholder will lead a core DHSC team (two digital specialists and one communications specialist) and sponsor and oversee the work of a wider, growing cross-organisational cohort of over a hundred digital and communications professionals throughout the NIHR who are delivering programmes of work to support research on the ground, across the country. In 2025 and beyond, the digital research programme includes key projects which will: Create a new world-leading information system which will provide Government with a real-time overview of the delivery status of thousands of clinical research studies taking place across the entirety of the NHS. This is called the Research Delivery Data Intelligence system. Improve the capability and functionality of the Be Part of Research and Join Dementia Research systems, which enable patients and the public to participate in research studies that can help change and improve their lives. Build-up a single hub of digital expertise in the NHS Business Services Authority, under the direction of the NIHR Chief Digital Officer (CDO) which will support the work of the NIHR and the wider health and care system. Ensure that the NIHR has robust cyber-security systems in place to protect the functioning of the health and care research system nationally. Identify where the application of artificial intelligence into NIHR systems and processes can make health and care research more user-centred, more efficient and deliver life-improving research faster to the people who need it. Information about the NIHR and how it is governed by DHSC can be found on the NIHR website ( https://www.nihr.ac.uk/ ). The postholder will also play a leading role in joining up and finding synergies with digital and data functions across the Department, including with the DHSC Chief Data Officer and the joint Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England Digital Policy Unit. The postholder will contribute to cross-Departmental working to improve the use of data and digital in the policy-making process and in advice to Ministers. On Communications, the postholder will work closely with the DHSC Science, Research and Evidence Director and the new NIHR Director of Communications to deliver a step-change in how we can better communicate the health and wealth benefits of the £1.6bn annual budget that the NIHR spends on research. The postholder will also work on the full public launch of the Be Part of Research research participation service, which will boost the number and diversity of people signing up to the service; this is a really important part of delivering against Ministerial ambitions to make the UK the best place in the world for clinical trials. The role is being offered for two years in the first instance, recognising that this is the time horizon for the change programmes across digital and communications that the postholder will be leading. Person specification Responsibilities of the role - The postholder will: Be the key DHSC liaison with health and care professionals, researchers, other research funders and the life sciences and tech industries, nationally and internationally, to ensure that DHSC invests in world-class digital systems to support the needs of UK research. Work closely with the DHSC Chief Scientific Advisor (who is also the NIHR Chief Executive Officer), the NIHR Chief Digital Officer and wider partners to continually develop and improve our strategy underpinning DHSC investment in digitally transforming research. A core priority will be delivery of the Research Delivery Data Intelligence programme. Be responsible for financial management of the Departments £60m digital research transformation budget, delivered chiefly through the NIHR. Provide accurate and timely oversight of in-year spend against the existing budget and draft and take forward strategic business cases for further funding to expand the programme into future years. Lead on liaison with DHSC Commercial, Economics, Finance, Digital Assurance functions and the Government Digital Service to ensure that strategic business cases for future digital research investments progress effectively through relevant approvals processes. Lead a team of three direct DHSC reports and shape and oversee delivery of the work of over 100 digital professionals across the NIHR organisations who run digital services which drive the health and care research system. As part of this, the postholder will be the key point of contact between DHSC and the NIHR Chief Digital Officer (CDO), ensuring that the NIHR CDO has a clear programme of work annually and that the programme is effectively delivered against. Oversee DHSC sponsorship of NIHR communications, ensuring that the NIHR has a clear and effective programme of work to communicate the impact of NIHR research on the health and wealth of the nation. Work closely with the DHSC SRE Director and the NIHR Director of Communications on high profile communications activities and campaigns to highlight the benefits that NIHR research provides to the UK population and people internationally through NIHR global health research. Support the work of the NIHR Communications function to increase NIHR brand recognition across a range of stakeholder groups, including the public, health and care professionals, industry, charities, Parliamentarians and across Government. Key skills and experience required for the role Essential: Identifying where digital could be introduced to change and improve outcomes for customers and making those changes happen through effective business cases, collaborative working and excellent project management. Experience of changing and improving against tight deadlines/shifting contexts. Influencing and persuading senior stakeholders (including Ministers and/or senior officials/Board-level decision-makers) to fund and support business cases for digital investment. Acting as an effective ambassador for your business unit/organisation with customers, partners and wider stakeholders. Developing and implementing strategies to deliver better customer experience in light of wider national/international frontiers of digital excellence. Leading a team to deliver improved outcomes for customers through effective use of digital. Experience of leading cross-organisational functions to deliver emergent goals/improved outcomes for stakeholders. Financial management Experience of budget management, including in-year financial management, future years financial forecasting and contributing to wider business management processes across your business unit/organisation. Desirable: Knowledge of health and care research/wider research Knowledge of health and care digital systems Knowledge of communications planning and delivery to support public service goals Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Changing and Improving Leadership Benefits Alongside your salary of £68,503, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £19,845 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. 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 employer contribution of 28.97% Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds. (delete/add as appropriate) 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. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. Selection process details: Applications will be sifted W/C: 24/02/2025 Interview date: W/C 10/03/2025 Interview location: Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview. Further details and interview slots will be released to candidates who are successful at sift. Applications will be sifted on CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours. An initial sift based on the Lead Behaviour: Changing and Improving and CV 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. 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 personal statement to (in no more than 1000 words) outline how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role as set out in the job advert. At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours and Experience. Candidates will be asked to give a presentation which will assess the behaviour: Seeing the Big Picture. Details of the presentation question will be issued to candidates with the release of the sift scores To find out more about working in the department please visit our page on the Civil Service careers website https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/departments/working-for-the-department-of-health-social-care/ and to find out more information on how to apply visit the Civil Service careers website https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/how-to-apply/ 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. Candidates must ensure that all information provided in their application is detailed in their own words and is factually accurate. Any examples provided must be taken from personal experience. The Civil Service abides by honesty and integrity as part of its core values, if evidence of plagiarism or generating answers from other sources is found, applications may be withdrawn. Please note that applicants will require BPSS clearance. Further Information 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 youre 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.grscabinetoffice.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 applicants 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. Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). 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. Terms and Conditions Candidates should note that DHSCs Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidates 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 DHSCs 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 Kings 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 DHSCs modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above). Existing DHSC staff, appointed on promotion If DHSCs modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSCs pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSCs modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above). Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. 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). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Mark Toal Email : mark.toaldhsc.gov.uk Telephone : 02072102749 Recruitment team Email : dhscrecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk Further information If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the DHSC Central Recruitment Team at DHSCrecruitmentdhsc.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/ Attachments General Pay Principles on Recruitment (5) Opens in new window (pdf, 72kB) Share this page Print Email Gmail Facebook LinkedIn