Investment Appraisal Lead

Job description

About the job

Job summary

In the Department of Health and Social Care (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 would like to work in, we would love to hear from you.

We work daily to support, challenge and assure some of the government's most significant health and care priorities. These include delivery of the 10 Year Health Plan for England, which is driving the three major shifts in health and care: from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention. Central to this vision is the development of a Neighbourhood Health Service, including the rollout of Neighbourhood Health Centres, bringing joined-up health, care and community services closer to where people live.

We also support major investment programmes such as the New Hospital Programme, one of the largest NHS infrastructure programmes in a generation, alongside reforms to adult social care and significant capital investment to modernise NHS services, improve productivity and deliver better outcomes for patients.

In addition to these high-profile programmes, we support and assure a varied and interesting portfolio of projects which includes, but not limited to:

Major NHS England (NHSE) capital investments, hospital upgrades, refurbishments and wider estate transformation programmes

Technology and digital investments, including Electronic Patient Records (EPRs),digital infrastructure and service transformation initiatives

Vaccine and medical technology procurements

Major NHSE NHS and DHSC policy, transformation and reform initiatives.

We are a multidisciplinary, multi-site team focused on delivering at pace, providing robust assurance and building strong relationships with stakeholders across government and the health and care system.

Working alongside our partners in NHSE Finance as part of a single National Capital Assurance Team, we help improve the quality of business cases and investment decisions, ensuring public funds are invested effectively and deliver maximum value for patients, taxpayers and communities. We coordinate the engagement and expertise of a broad network of economic, commercial, project delivery, estates and specialist assurance professionals to provide high-quality advice at every stage of the investment lifecycle.

We are committed to diversity, inclusion, teamwork, continuous improvement and flexible working, creating an environment where people can develop professionally while making a tangible contribution to the future of health and care services

Job description

Reporting to the Head of Investment Appraisals but working autonomously, this role will be responsible for leading and coordinating the assurance process for a varied portfolio of major capital investments across DHSC and its ALBs and NHSE which may include but is not limited to:
• Major NHSE Capital Investments such as upgrades, refurbishment or reconfiguration of hospitals and the wider NHSE Estate
• Technology investment such as Electronic Patient Records, IT transformation and upgrades
• Vaccine procurements
• Major NHSE and DHSC policy initiatives and delivery

The successful candidate will review business cases from a DHSC strategic and financial perspective, preparing written and oral briefings for DHSC's investment committees and ministers which identify key risks and other issues, while working collaboratively with the programme and other key stakeholders to bring these to resolution.

As well as sound financial expertise, the role requires someone with excellent stakeholder management skills who can work with senior leaders DHSC and the NHSE to develop and improve investment assurance. The successful candidate will also work with DHSC ministers and their Private Offices to understand and address their concerns and work collaboratively with HM Treasury (HMT) officials.

The successful candidate will actively contribute to the continuous improvement of investment assurance by identifying opportunities to simplify processes, improve efficiency, and deliver better outcomes for stakeholders.

For candidates who hold a Professional accountancy qualification (for example CIPFA, CIMA, ICAEW, ACCA or equivalent), you will be eligible for an annual market pay supplement of £5,000.

Please note that for part-time applicants, you would need to commit to working a minimum of 0.8 FTE per week.

Person specification

Key accountabilities for the role:

• Manage the flow of a portfolio of business cases through the system, working alongside subject matter experts to ensure reviews are done in a timely fashion and providing assurance to departmental Committee's, the Finance Director General and ministers
• Co-ordinate and present the DHSC assurance on all 5 dimensions of the business case for the Investment Committees including acting as the specialist 'keyholder' for the Strategic and 'Finance' dimensions of the business case
• Work with stakeholders across government and NHSE to understand and address strategic issues and concerns
• Produce reports and briefings to the department's Investment Committee and the Joint NHSE Investment Committee on business cases working as one National Capital Assurance Team with NHS Finance colleagues
• Manage engagement with HMT officials as single point of contact for business cases that require onward approvals
• Prepare written submissions to ministers reflecting the Investment Committee's assessment and advice on specific business cases
• Act as a business case partner for the business 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 business case standards and guidance for use across the department and NHS
• Providing 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

Key accountabilities for the role:
• Manage the flow of a portfolio of business cases through the system, working alongside subject matter experts to ensure reviews are done in a timely fashion and providing assurance to departmental Committee's, the Finance Director General and ministers
• Co-ordinate and present the DHSC assurance on all 5 dimensions of the business case for the Investment Committees including acting as the specialist 'keyholder' for the Strategic and 'Finance' dimensions of the business case
• Work with stakeholders across government and NHSE to understand and address strategic issues and concerns
• Produce reports and briefings to the department's Investment Committee and the Joint NHSE Investment Committee on business cases working as one National Capital Assurance Team with NHS Finance colleagues
• Manage engagement with HMT officials as single point of contact for business cases that require onward approvals
• Prepare written submissions to ministers reflecting the Investment Committee's assessment and advice on specific business cases
• Act as a business case partner for the business 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 business case standards and guidance for use across the department and NHS
• Providing 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

Key skills and experience required for the role

Essential:
• Experience of financial analysis, including evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of business cases
• Experience of building and maintaining effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders across organisational boundaries
• Ability to produce high-quality written advice and deliver verbal briefings, adapting communication style to different audiences, including senior leaders
• Experience of applying business case and project management principles to support the successful delivery of projects or programmes
• Ability to encourage, recognise and share innovative ideas from a diverse range of colleagues and stakeholders
• Professional accountancy qualification (for example CIPFA, CIMA, ICAEW, ACCA or equivalent)

Desirable:
• Experience of developing and/or assuring complex business cases
• Better Business Cases Practitioner qualification

Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London, Leeds, Bristol or Birmingham. 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.

Qualifications

Professional accountancy qualification (for example CIPFA, CIMA, ICAEW, ACCA or equivalent)

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £56,214, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £16,285 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 with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Applications will be sifted W/C: 21/09/2026

Interview date: W/C 05/10/2026

Interview location: By video

Further details and interview slots will be released to candidates who are successful at sift.

Applications will be sifted on CV, Personal Statement, Behaviours and an Online Test. An initial sift based on 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. 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 also include a list of your relevant qualifications.

Please use your personal statement to (in no more than 750 words) outline how you meet the key skills and experience 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 21/09/2026, 23:55. If you fail to complete the online test and submit your full application before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the tests will be available on the Civil Service online tests page. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours and Strengths.

Candidates will be asked to give a presentation which will assess the Behaviour - Seeing the Bigger 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 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 is found, applications may be withdrawn.

Please note that applicants will require BPSS clearance.

Qualifications required for the role will be checked and verified by the vacancy holder as part of the onboarding process. You may also be asked to provide evidence that any qualifications obtained overseas are equivalent to those advertised.

Further Information

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.

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.

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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

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 [email protected] 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.

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 [email protected] 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.

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 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).

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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 theCivil 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.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

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 : Louise Bradnock
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

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 [email protected]
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/