Resourcing Policy and Projects Manager

Job description

Job summary

Join the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Resourcing Centre of Expertise (RCoE), a small but influential team shaping how DWP attracts, recruits and retains talent across a workforce of 90,000 employees. Using data, insight and innovation, the team develops recruitment strategies that help build a skilled, diverse and inclusive workforce capable of delivering for millions of citizens. The RCoE leads work across resourcing policy, attraction and employer branding, diversity and inclusion, governance, project delivery and continuous improvement. Working with colleagues across DWP, the wider Civil Service and external partners, the team drives improvements that influence recruitment activity at scale. This varied and rewarding role offers the opportunity to lead and support projects that strengthen recruitment policy, improve candidate experiences and deliver innovative solutions to complex resourcing challenges. No two days are the same, you will work with senior leaders, project teams and stakeholders across government to deliver meaningful change.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and supporting high-profile resourcing policy and continuous improvement projects from concept to implementation.
• Building and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships, using effective communication and influencing skills to drive positive outcomes.
• Using data, evidence and insight to identify trends, inform recommendations and improve recruitment performance.
• Ensuring recruitment policies remain modern, inclusive and aligned with Civil Service Recruitment Principles and employment legislation.
• Developing solutions that enhance candidate experience and support DWP's diversity and inclusion ambitions.
• Providing expert advice and guidance on complex recruitment policy matters.
• Managing and developing policy products, guidance and knowledge resources used across the department.
• Maintaining governance and planning arrangements to support effective delivery of team priorities.

You will also play an important role in supporting DWP's attraction and employer branding activity by:

• Enhancing DWP's presence on platforms such as LinkedIn, Civil Service Careers and Vercida.
• Working with communications teams to maximise recruitment campaigns and social media engagement.
• Collaborating with staff networks and HR colleagues to understand lived experiences and identify opportunities to remove barriers in recruitment.
• Building partnerships across government to share best practice, explore innovative approaches and influence resourcing strategies.
• Analysing recruitment, attraction and diversity data to support evidence-based decision making and continuous improvement.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the centre of strategic recruitment activity within DWP, influencing how thousands of people join the organisation. If you enjoy project delivery, stakeholder engagement, problem solving and driving continuous improvement, this role offers challenge, variety and the chance to make a significant impact.

Job description

• Analysing and responding to resourcing queries received and where possible resolving them directly with internal DWP customers; or escalating more complex queries to the Resourcing Policy Leads to progress.
• Developing and maintaining a cross-team knowledge bank of previous policy advice, guidance, precedents and legal opinions.
• Interpreting and analysing data, insight and evidence to understand performance across recruitment activities and policy queries; using insight to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and where amendments to resourcing policy may be required.
• Using expert insight, data and tools to shape how DWP attracts and retains the right people building a workforce with the skills, experience and diversity needed to deliver our services.
• Ensuring compliance with Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles, DWP resourcing policies and employment law, proactively addressing issues and escalating concerns where required.
• Maintaining deputy director led plans, ensuring alignment with wider People Services and Resourcing (PSR) and People and Capability Directorate plans, and team governance products in line with project management principles.
• Working collaboratively across the team, department and other government departments to understand and share wider resourcing trends.
• Potential opportunities to be part of, or lead, resourcing projects and pilots.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Experience of Civil Service Resourcing, and/or wider Civil Service HR policies, in an advisory capacity; resolving customer queries and concerns quickly in line with written policies, legal advice, employment law and Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles(Lead Criteria)

• Experience of the project management lifecycle, having successfully delivered project outcomes, that make a positive difference in a large scale and complex organisation.
• Experience of being able to work autonomously at pace with responsibility for developing and managing a busy and varied programme of work; responding flexibly and prioritising activity based on emerging business challenges.
• An ability to gather and use information, data, insight and evidence to inform continuous improvement actions for recruitment processes and outcomes.
• Have strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build and collaborate with a broad and trusted network to gain feedback and deliver work priorities.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to get to the heart of issues and challenges and communicate succinctly to a range of audiences.

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of 45,225, Department for Work and Pensions contributes 13,101 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).

DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (prorata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 years continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Womens Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

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.

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the following actions:

Written Sift:

A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. The CV is an on-line tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobsite and there is no requirement to upload your personal CV.

A Personal Statement (maximum 1250 ), explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities, and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role against the essential criteria in the person specification.

If we receive a large number of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criteria:

Experience of Civil Service Resourcing, and/or wider Civil Service HR policies , in an advisory capacity; resolving customer queries and concerns quickly in line with written policies, legal advice, employment law and Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles.

If you pass the initial sift, you will be progressed to a full sift or directly to interview.

Interview:

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview lasting up to 45 minutes. This will take place via MS Teams. The interview panel will be a minimum of two people and will assess behaviours and strengths.

Behaviours:

Managing a quality service

Communicating and influencing

Delivering at pace

Making effective decisions

Behaviour based questioning explores what the candidate can and has done, and their potential.

Strengths-based questions give you the opportunity to demonstrate what you naturally do well, what motivates you, and how these strengths would support success in the role.

To help you prepare and settle into the interview you will be sent the behaviour questions 7 days prior to your interview. These questions should be treated as confidential. The interview panel may ask you other questions which will not be shared in advance, including follow-up probing questions.

Indicative Sift and Interview Timeline:

• Sift week commencing - 30/11/26
• Interviews week commencing - 14/12/26

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Hybrid Working:

This role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. If a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for the role and for you, you will normally be required to spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted working hours from your DWP office. If you have a disability, caring responsibilities, or other circumstances that may affect your ability to meet the minimum office attendance requirement, please discuss this with us using the contact details in this advert.

Important Information Visa Sponsorship

Please note that for these vacancies we recommend that applicants seek specialist advice on their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship (if applicable) when considering whether to apply for any role.

Further Information

At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

Find out more about working for DWP on the DWP Careers Hub .

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

If you are placed on a reserve list but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note:

• If you are later offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a contractual Part Time Working Pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered or in cases of serious ill health).
• If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.

Disability Confident Scheme

If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.

Reasonable Adjustments

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact the Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the Reasonable Adjustments 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 you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Integrity, plagiarism and Civil Service Principles

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles.

Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words.

Examples of plagiarism can include:

- Presenting the work, ideas and experience of others as your own

- Copying content or answers from an online or published source that is not your own

Disclosure and Barring Service and Internal Fraud Database Checks

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.

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 successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check will be carried out.

Important

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. If you are a current employee and are successful you must be able to be released from your current post within four weeks.

Those on protected TUPE/ COSoP terms and conditions applying on promotion or voluntary permanent level move will adopt DWPs Terms and Conditions and this may have a different impact on pay and allowances. Please review this prior to acceptance of a role.

Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing. Accepting a post will be taken to mean acceptance of revised terms & conditions.

Civil Servants applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary minimum or within 10% of existing salary.

Any move to DWP 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 the Childcare Choices Website.

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 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.

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 : Ellen Wright
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commissions 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 DWP by email: [email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments _DWP Terms and Conditions January 2024 Opens in new window (docx, 17kB) Success-Profiles-Candidate-Overview Opens in new window (pdf, 635kB)