About the job

Summary

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy. As the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) biggest public service Department, we operate on a scale that is almost unmatched anywhere in Europe and most people in Britain come into contact with us at some point in their lives.

Contract Management and Partner Delivery (CMPD) is a Corporate Team within DWP. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be working in CMPD and this is a fantastic opportunity to join a Department that touches the lives of citizens the length and breadth of the UK. What we do matters.

The role of CMPD is to ensure that our contracted employment and health providers deliver the outcomes that the customer needs, the service quality that DWP can be proud of. We play a vital part in shaping the future of contracted employment, Health and European Social Fund (ESF) payments and provisions.

The purpose of CMPD is to performance manage all aspects of current and future DWP contracted services associated with health and disability services and employment provisions. The Directorate sits within Finance Group (FG) and works closely with a wide range of colleagues including DWP Operations, Commercial, Finance, Strategy and contracted providers.

CMPD looks to support some of DWP’s most vulnerable customers through its management of contracted services. Contractors’ performance is subject to on-going scrutiny from Ministers, Senior Officials, the National Audit Office (NAO), Members of Parliament (MPs), disability rights groups and the media.

This role sits within Data Analysis and Controls Division (DAC) where CMPD’s analytical, investigation and assurance, payment validation and associated controls come together to support probity and excellence.

These Assurance Manager posts are critical to deterring, preventing, identifying and reporting on provider fraud and error through undertaking expert, robust, evidenced, risk based assurance activity of providers across employment and health contracts.

Job description

Assurance Manager within the Provider Assurance Team (PAT) – located in any hub, with frequent travel to other locations required.

The post holders are responsible for undertaking complex and high profile assurance review activity to assess provider systems of control and provide an assurance opinion, level of assurance and detailed report.

Main tasks include responsibility for assessing and reporting the assurance level gained following a review of provider's systems within determined scope areas, by:

• Leading and contributing to allocated reviews, managing own and colleagues’ time, making the best use of resource, ensuring reviews allocated are completed within agreed timescales in line with the team work plan.

• Ensuring activity to lead/support reviews complies with PAT policy, quality standards, procedures and methodology, including meetings with providers at key stages and testing provider systems, to provide the correct assurance level.

• Promoting and driving a positive approach to change.

• Producing/contributing to written reports to providers and stakeholders which are accurate, timely and well written.

• Building and maintaining relationships with external and internal stakeholders to share information and provide advice and guidance to improve assurance.

• Championing continuous improvement by providing assurance/controls advice and best practice to PAT/DAC colleagues and external and internal stakeholders.

The strategic importance of this work and the skills required is reflected in the professional accreditation that all members of PAT are encouraged to attain, along with membership of the Institute of Internal Auditors professional body.

This is a full time post, but applications are also welcome from those with alternative working patterns. Working patterns will be discussed on an individual basis, but successful applicants may need to be flexible and/or be prepared to consider alternative working patterns where required to meet with FG’s operating hours from 8am to 6pm.

This job 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. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Responsibilities

You will be assessed against these key criteria during the selection process:

Lead Criteria 1:

Demonstrate visible leadership, to deliver business objectives in complex and challenging environments.

Lead Criteria 2:

Strong, proven problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and Management Information to draw conclusions, identify improvements and resolve issues.

• Experience of efficiently delivering operational processes, complying with contractual and or otherwise legally binding procedures to deliver timely, quality assured, evidence based decisions.

• Ability to effectively communicate complex and sometimes unwelcome messages to a diverse range of senior internal and external stakeholders.

• Demonstrable ability in working effectively in a joined up manner as part of a team of stakeholders with disparate interests to achieve successful outcomes.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role

• An environment with flexible working options

• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

• A Civil Service pension