Overview
If you’re someone who can use your experience to drive Synergy’s sustainability ambition…
If you’re someone who can use your experience to drive Synergy’s sustainability ambition, we want to hear from you. But most importantly, we’re looking for applications from people who can also demonstrate a passion for our core ambition – delivering a once in a generation, transformed service that Civil Servants will use as a result of the Synergy Programme.
Drawing upon your knowledge and experience, you will have a key role in supporting the Design Sustainability Lead to work with cluster Department Sustainability Specialists and within the Synergy Programme to promote sustainability, influence and embed environment and social improvements into the design, testing and deployment of the Synergy new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, Business Process Service (BPS) and The Synergy Shared Services Hub (SSSH).
Duties and Responsibilities
The role holder will play a key role in the development of Synergy Programme’s approach to sustainability. They will work closely with team members and other key stakeholders across the government community to:
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leverage work already done;
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ensure effective policy and data collection and sharing;
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work to understand, benchmark and track sustainability benefit opportunities; and
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create roadmaps and partnerships to enable the change required.
Key responsibilities
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Understand the sustainability ambitions and policies of the four (Synergy) Government Departments, identifying and helping to resolve any potential issues.
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Collation and presentation of sustainability information to embed it into policy and process, programme governance, working groups and to teams within the four “cluster” Departments.
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In conjunction with key stakeholders and sustainability colleagues, translate Synergy Sustainability blueprints into definitions and interventions and enable the embedding of sustainability in the ERP, Business Process Services (BPS) and Future Shared Service Organisation (FSSO).
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Work closely with key stakeholders across government to support the definition and implementation of key performance indicators, based on a scientifically robust evidence base of data.
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Implementation of appropriate monitoring of the environmental performance of our shared services supplier base.
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Support the development of the Synergy business cases process by co-ordinating the information on sustainability impacts and benefit opportunities. Work with analysts to benchmark, track (quantitative or qualitative) and realise benefits.
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The development of relevant sustainability documentation e.g. tender documents, specifications.
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Support the co-creation of a Sustainability Knowledge Hub; enabling capture and continuous improvement of Synergy sustainability opportunities.
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Play an active role in the cross-government community to further the sustainability agenda.
Person specification
The successful candidate will need to demonstrate:
Essential Criteria
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Experience of working in a dedicated environmental sustainability team and integrating it into wider organisational practices: Understanding how sustainability principles can be embedded into new ways of working, while demonstrating responsibility for environmental reporting or policy within your organisation (Lead Criteria).
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Driving Sustainability Outcomes through Initiative and Organisation: Be a self-motivated, effective organiser who can use their initiative in the design and delivery of sustainability outcomes.
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Strategic Support for Sustainability Implementation: Previous experience of supporting the development and implementation of a sustainability strategy.
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Enabling Behavioural and Cultural Change for Sustainability: Proven experience of supporting and influencing organisational behavioural and cultural change.
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Stakeholder Engagement across Diverse Perspectives: Effective stakeholder management skills, including experience of working with stakeholders and different levels who have diverse perspectives.
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Applying Government Digital Service Principles to Sustainable Technology: An understanding of the principles of the Government Digital Service and sustainable technology.
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Using Analytical Insight to Shape Sustainability Decisions: Good analytical skills and experience using these skills to inform approach and decision making.
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Qualifications/Accreditations: Candidates must be (or willing to become) a member (minimum Affiliate) of The Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP).
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
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Working Together
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Managing a Quality Service
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Communicating and Influencing
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Changing and Improving
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
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Integrating Sustainability into Organisational Practices
Benefits
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 (pro–rata 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 year’s 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 Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
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. Our CV element is short and allows an initial check of eligibility but is not scored so please put the main content of your evidence and skills in your Personal Statement.
A 250-word Technical Statement which will assess the following criteria:
Experience of working in a dedicated environmental sustainability team and integrating it into wider organisational practices: Understanding how sustainability principles can be embedded into new ways of working, while demonstrating responsibility for environmental reporting or policy within your organisation (Lead Criteria)
A personal statement (maximum 500 words), explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities, and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role against the remaining essential criteria in the person specification.
If we receive a large number of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criteria.
If you pass this initial sift, you may 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, Strengths and Experience.
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
For this vacancy, we strongly recommend that applicants consult with an immigration specialist or qualified advisor to assess their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship before deciding to apply. Please note that while we consider sponsorship requests in accordance with current DWP guidance and Home Office policy, sponsorship cannot be guaranteed.
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 DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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 you’re 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, Civil Service Principles and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
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Disclosure and Barring Service and Internal Fraud Database Checks
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Feedback
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 checks.
Nationality requirements
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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).
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
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name :Synergy Resourcing
- Email :synergy.resourcing@dwp.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email :dwprecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
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.
