Terms and Conditions
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

This appointment will be permanent.

THE REWARD CHALLENGE

 The Department for Work and Pensions needs to attract, keep, engage and motivate the calibre of leaders, professionals and specialists it requires to deliver its objectives successfully. To do this effectively we must reward people appropriately and recognise achievements in ways that support what we seek to deliver.

The main rewards include not only the basic salary but also the final salary pension scheme, job security and the availability of bonuses for those who perform well, challenging work in the public sector with the opportunity for career advancement and personal development, generous annual leave arrangements, recognition in our working practices of the importance of work/life balance, a good working environment and supportive colleagues.

REMUNERATION

The salary for the Employee Policy Director role will be £90,000 and the Head of Organisational Development role will be £75,000, although more may be available for an exceptional candidate. A bonus will be payable depending on performance, within the normal Senior Civil Service pay arrangements. The salary will be reviewed annually, beginning in April 2006. This appointment will be on normal Civil Service terms and conditions. Salary and terms of appointment for a serving civil servant would be for agreement with the individual and his/her current department within normal rules for appointment on level transfer or promotion.

The Senior Civil Service (SCS) pay system is a simple broad band structure, based upon job evaluation score groups. The structure has three core bands Pay Bands 1, 2 and 3. The starting pay for external recruits will be negotiated within the limits of the salary quoted in the advertisement for the post.

Future pay awards will normally be made in line with the current SCS performance-related pay arrangements. For example, 2004 base pay increases ranged from no increase to 9%. It is not possible to quote specific rates and increases in advance of the annual pay awards each April. Increases depend on individual circumstances including your current salary level at the award time.

BONUSES

Performance bonuses are available within the SCS performance-related pay system. They are awarded within a pool scheme based on performance i.e. achievement of personal objectives. Bonuses will be possible up to 20% but in practice good performers may expect around 7-9% and not all receive a bonus. They are non-consolidated awards paid in addition to base pay rises. They are paid as a lump sum and do not count towards pension entitlements. Bonuses are awarded on the recommendation of line managers based on the level of success with which an SCS member has met their in-year business objectives and relative to all others in their Pay Band. Bonuses are not determined until after the year end so it is not possible to quote amounts in advance of the annual pay award each April.

RELOCATION

Relocation expenses may be available.

 HOURS OF WORK

 While the normal working week for staff based in London is 41 hours including meal breaks, obviously a post of this kind imposes very heavy demands.

ANNUAL LEAVE

On appointment the post holder will be entitled to 30 days paid leave plus 10½ days public and privilege holidays.

RETIREMENT

While the normal retirement age for Senior Civil Servants is currently 60, the department will consider applications on their merits, not governed by age.

TERMS AND BENEFITS

  • Pension Scheme.
  • Occupational Health Services, including counselling and eye care provision.
  • Subsidised Sports and Social Club membership (optional).
  • Private User Scheme vehicles
  • Leave provisions including:
  • Carers’ Leave
  • Paid and unpaid maternity leave
  • Flexible paid paternity leave
  • Flexible paid adoption leave
  • Family Care expenses will be paid if the criteria are met.

PRIVATE USER SCHEME VEHICLES

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) does not operate a vehicle-leasing scheme but does offer Private User Scheme (PUS) vehicles. These vehicles are operated in a similar way to company cars in outside industry. The two main criteria are for the vehicle to be used for at least 6000 business miles per annum and used on business on around 90 days per year. PUS vehicles can be used for private journeys as well as business journeys. Members of the users household can also be added to the group insurance policy for private journeys. Patricia Hindmarch 0191 225 6103 or email: Pat.Hindmarch@dwp.gsi.gov.uk will offer advice on the scheme.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

As an Investors in People (IIP) organisation the Department is committed to learning and development , offering opportunities, such as:

  • Financial support for recognised qualifications that are in line with business objectives.
  • Internal and external training courses.
  • Staff development programmes.
  • Career advancement

Descriptions of the experiences of some senior level staff who have joined DWP from outside can be found at Appendix B.

PENSION SCHEME

DWP offers an excellent occupational pension scheme. Pension benefits are provided under the Civil Service Pension Scheme, which is contracted out of the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS). This is called the Premium scheme and provides pension benefits on a final salary basis (contributions to the Premium scheme are 3.5% of salary). Alternatively you can opt for a more flexible Partnership pension scheme, which provides pension benefits based on contributions made. New recruits will receive details of both these schemes when they join DWP. Further information is at Appendix C. In December 2004 the Government announced proposals to make changes to the Civil Service Pension Scheme. Details of the current scheme, proposed changes and the consultation procedures for the proposed changes can be found on the Civil Service Pensions website at: www.civilservice-pensions.gov.uk

NATIONALITY

Applications are welcomed regardless of nationality but the following rules on nationality apply: - For Civil Service posts you should be a British or Commonwealth citizen (as defined in the British Nationality Act of 1981), a British protected person, or a national of a state within the European Economic area. Certain non-EC family members and certain non-European Free Trade Area family members may also be eligible. Exceptionally someone falling outside these groups may be considered. So if you are unsure of your status, please explain your circumstances in a letter accompanying your application.

Entry to the UK is controlled under the Immigration Act of 1971. Everyone who does not have the right of abode is subject to immigration control. You should check if there are any restrictions on your stay or your freedom to take or change employment before you apply for a post.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Candidates must note the requirement to declare any interests they may have that might cause questions to be raised about their approach to the business of the Department. They are required to declare any relevant business interests, share holdings, positions of authority, retainers, consultancy arrangements or other connections with commercial, public or voluntary bodies, both for themselves and for their spouses/partners. The successful candidate will be required to give up any conflicting interests and his/her other business and financial interests may be published.

OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT

The post is covered by the Official Secrets Act.