About the job

Summary

The Community Ownership Fund is a new fund that was launched on 15 July 2021. The £150 million Fund will help communities across the UK take ownership of local assets and amenities that are at risk of being lost but have value for the local people and place.

The first bidding round closed in mid-August and we announced our first successful Community Ownership Fund projects in October 2021. We are looking for 3 SEOs to play a leading role in delivering successful projects, lead on programme management and key policy areas such as fund design.

This will be fast paced work, working in a team of community policy and funding delivery colleagues, who will need to work together and at pace to deliver DLUHC and HMT Ministers’ priorities. It will be an opportunity to develop and shape a new fund, often involving collaboration with colleagues across the unit and beyond.

Job description

You may be required to lead tasks and support the team on the following areas of work. We do not expect applicants to have experience in all the following areas and the exact nature of your job will be determined when you start.

• Project management. Responsibility for the PMO of the team, using the right tools and processes to ensure progress is made and deadlines are met across the programme. Managing and overseeing the smooth running of governance to ensure accountabilities and decisions sit at the right level across government.

• Managing the assessment process. Helping to manage the process of bid assessment, which will involve managing a number of stakeholders and teams in order to advise Ministers on funding decisions.

• Procurement and contract management. Working to contract in the right external expertise needed to deliver the first bidding round and future bidding rounds of the fund.

• Contract management, monitoring and reporting of community projects. Managing funding contracts with community groups and monitoring and reporting to senior officials, Ministers and HMT.

• Stakeholder engagement. Engaging with stakeholders in local government, the VCS and the Devolved Administrations on the development of the fund.

• Written and verbal comms. Working with press office and Ministerial offices to communicate developments to the public and to key stakeholders, including other government departments.

• Policy development. Reviewing the outcomes of bidding rounds and developing the operational design of the fund for future rounds. Advising Ministers on changes to how the fund might change over the life of the programme.

Responsibilities

For all of these roles, it is essential that you have:

• the ability to pick up new tasks and concepts quickly;

• strong teamwork skills;

• strong project management skills;

• strong organisational skills ;

• fantastic attention to detail;

• the ability to work at pace when required;

• excellent written and verbal communication skills;

• experience of and confidence in engaging with stakeholders;

• the ability to build relationships at all levels;

It is desirable that you have:

• funding delivery experience

• contract management experience

• experience of writing briefings and advice for Ministers and/or senior officials;

• experience of engaging with stakeholders;

• interest in/experience of regional economic development

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role

•An environment with flexible working options

• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

• A Civil Service pension