GovXchange – the local and central
government secondment programme

Grade: Grade 7

Anticipated length: 1-2 years

Location: Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, York

Role description:

As a senior evaluation adviser, you’ll work within ‘accelerators’. An accelerator is a multidisciplinary blended team bringing together colleagues from local government, central government and the wider public sector to work on a place-based project to prototype solutions to complex policy issues. Examples of some of the accelerators in our portfolio include ‘violence against women and girls’ in Islington, ‘special educational needs and disabilities’ in Nottingham and Sandwell, ‘economic inactivity’ in Wakefield, and ‘neighbourhood health’ in Plymouth and Liverpool. You’ll be responsible for embedding evaluation and monitoring into the accelerator’s work. At the same time, you’ll also be developing guidance with fellow evaluation advisers on good practice for adaptive evaluation that will
support the overarching ‘Test, Learn and Grow’ programme and influence the wider public sector evaluation landscape.

This role is mapped to the Senior Digital Evaluator role in the Government Digital and Data framework, though we would expect candidates to be able to apply their skills to digital and non-digital projects. This role will require travel within the UK to work closely with local partners.

You will:

• work in a multidisciplinary team
• develop theories of change and evaluation plans with stakeholders
• manage relationships with stakeholders, data analysts, user researchers, product and strategy leads, and operational secondees
• collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative data through research
• assure the work of other evaluators, including evaluation plans, data collection and analysis
• present analysis clearly, turn complex data into compelling, clear and actionable stories, and give strategic recommendations to decision-makers
• ensure data ethics and privacy compliance
• use a range of appropriate evaluation techniques, which could include process evaluation, impact evaluation, ‘theory of change’, experimentation, and economic evaluation
• collaborate with stakeholders to gather requirements and deliver findings, working under the guidance of the Head of Analysis
• ensure coordination with the programme’s independent evaluation (being carried out by GO-Lab), including supporting with data collection and analysis where required
• contribute evidence to inform TL&G strategy, objectives and priorities
• work in the open and share often

Essential skills and/or experience

Evaluation Delivery

• evaluate using appropriate techniques including process evaluation, impact evaluation, ‘theory of change’, experimentation and economic evaluation
• analyse and interpret data you have collected and data from other sources
• use a wide range of analytical approaches, including descriptive and inferential analysis

Communicating Analysis and Insight

• turn complex data into compelling, clear and actionable stories
• present analysis and visualisations in clear ways to communicate complex messages

Data ethics and privacy

• work with stakeholders to identify and address ethical and privacy concerns
• research developments in data ethics and privacy to improve compliance and processes
• assess and constructively challenge proposed data ethics policies

Evaluation planning and strategy

• influence stakeholders to secure resources for an evaluation project
• ensure plans for monitoring and evaluation of products and services are appropriate and proportionate
• agree the evaluation approach with diverse stakeholders

Monitoring and evaluation across the product life cycle

• manage the delivery of evaluation of services or products at different phases
• plan and look at data requirements in future phases

Product and service monitoring

• work with data analysts to develop performance dashboards reporting service analytics and other identified indicators

Quality assurance of data and analysis

• bring data together from different sources
• quality assure the work of other senior evaluation advisers and senior data analysts (preferred coding languages are R and Python)

Logical and creative thinking

• ensure that the most appropriate actions are taken to resolve problems as they occur

Agile and Lean practices

• apply agile practices to your work

Inclusivity

• support equity and inclusion for your delivery work as well as in your team
• incorporate a wide variety of views from underrepresented groups into your research

Desirable skills and/or experience

Behavioural science knowledge

• working knowledge of theoretical concepts such as defaults, loss aversion and social norms

Place-based evaluation skills

• delivery of complex place-based evaluation working with multiple partners outside of central government

Grade: Grade 7

Anticipated length: 1 – 2 years

Location: Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, York

Role description:

You will:

• lead a multidisciplinary Accelerator team to deliver solutions aligned with the scoping agreed with local partners, through test and learn cycles 
• define, explain and iterate an evidence-based vision for solutions that are compelling to your team, stakeholders and end-users
• collaborate with team members to create prototypes to test assumptions or approaches
• identify assumptions and risks behind possible approaches and include these in your planning
• lead on delivery planning for you team maintaining a roadmap and strategy, and develop and prioritise a backlog
• make decisions based on evidence and value for money
• use theories of change and evaluation to evidence the Pioneer as well as the wider programme goals
• share insight with the wider team and Head of Product and Strategy to ensure the programme strategy
• can adapt and have the best chance of success
• work in the open and share often

Additionally as a Senior Product and Strategy Lead you will:

• lead a team working a higher degree of uncertainty working out the most important research and insight and partnership needed to inform your plans
• create longer term plans that address dependencies and other risks, while also being responsive to change
• have an advanced knowledge of the value other professions can bring to a multidisciplinary team’s work, and ensure successful collaboration 
• line manage, coach and mentor product and strategy leads 
• champion best practice and the latest in product management tools/techniques

Essential skills and/or experience:

Leading multidisciplinary teams

• leading a team of experts in user centred design, analysis, policy, delivery, behavioural insights etc to develop and test solutions to complex challenges
• be the escalation point for your team
• developing a clear plan and narrative for the work

Product management and Strategic ownership

• navigating complex policy / delivery landscapes to spot opportunities to leverage change
• successfully developing and releasing products, strategies, or solutions
• can identify, communicate and work within constraints, and challenge the validity of constraints while ensuring the team can still deliver high quality work

Agile and lean practices

• have proficiency in agile product management techniques, such as: roadmaps; prioritisation; MVP definition; using research, analytics and insight to inform decisions; planning at different horizons

Stakeholder relationship management

• successfully manage a range of stakeholder relationships to successfully deliver products, solutions or strategies that meet user needs and deliver government outcomes
• can reconcile strong differing opinions using evidence or research

Evidencing and evaluating

• can use data and analytics to spot problems with, and evaluate success of, solutions, product, or strategies
• can use theories of change and set, monitor and report on measurable objectives

Inclusivity

• support equity and inclusion for our delivery work as well as for our teams and programme
• incorporate a wide variety of views from underrepresented groups into product and policy work

Senior Product and Strategy Leads would also be expected to demonstrate:

Agile and lean practices

• can create roadmaps and plans that cater for uncertainty, dependencies and risks but still show progress and inspire confidence with leadership

Product management

• have experience of a range of delivery teams, lifecycle phases and products, and an ability to
  adapt your delivery approach accordingly

Evidencing and evaluating

• can identify the most important assumptions or risks to a successful outcome, and collaboratively devise ways to test them, gather the evidence needed to succeed, and work with others to evaluate solutions with different methods (e.g., RCTs, QEDs, IPEs, qualitative research)

Strategic ownership

• can work influence and challenge senior stakeholders when needed
• can prioritise and mitigate constraints, and turn them into an advantage and adapt the teams approach depending on the constraints

Desirable skills and/or experiemce

• experience of working directly with local authorities or other place-based providers including the Voluntary Community Sector (VCS)

Grade: Grade 7

Anticipated length: 6-12 months

Location: Leeds

Role description:

Active Travel England (ATE) is seeking an experienced Microsoft Dynamics 365 Consultant to provide expert leadership and assurance across our Dynamics 365 estate. This is a critical role, focused on stabilising our current implementation, resolving technical and configuration issues and ensuring the platform is well-structured, robust and scalable to support future digital services.

Working in close partnership with service owners, delivery teams and external suppliers, you will review, improve and optimise both the technical and functional configuration of Dynamics 365, offering clear, pragmatic advice and leading targeted enhancements where needed. You will also play a key role in shaping ATE’s longer-term approach to Dynamics and the Power Platform, helping ensure our digital services are built on robust foundations and are able to evolve as the Agency
matures.

Duties and responsibilities

• Provide expert technical leadership and assurance across Active Travel England’s Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform estate, ensuring solutions are robust, scalable and aligned to best practice.
• Review the current Dynamics 365 implementation to identify configuration issues, technical debt and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead the resolution of priority issues.
• Design, implement and oversee technical and functional enhancements to Dynamics 365, ensuring solutions meet service needs and are maintainable over time.
• Work collaboratively with service owners, super users and external suppliers to translate service
  requirements into effective solutions.
• Provide clear, pragmatic advice on Dynamics 365 architecture, licensing, configuration, integration and data model design, supporting informed technical decision-making.
• Advise on appropriate use of Power Platform components (Power Apps, Power Automate, Power Pages, Dataverse) to help shape ATE’s longer-term Dynamics and Power Platform strategy.
• Support the development of secure, well-governed data structures within Dynamics, aligned to agreed data definitions and organisational standards.
• Lead or contribute to technical design reviews, ensuring solutions are well-documented and meet security, performance and accessibility requirements.
• Support capability building within internal teams through knowledge sharing, guidance and best-practice approaches to Dynamics and Power Platform delivery.
• Own the relationship with Department for Transport (DfT) Cloud Engineering team, ensuring our development and cloud approach is aligned with wider priorities, whilst overcoming any technical blockers or challenges.

Essential skills and/or experience

• Significant experience and expertise in Microsoft Dynamics 365. Demonstrable experience leading the configuration, improvement and assurance of Microsoft Dynamics 365 solutions, with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical and configuration issues in live environments.
• Strong technical leadership and architectural judgement. Proven ability to provide clear technical leadership and assurance, including reviewing existing implementations, identifying technical debt, designing scalable and maintainable solutions and advising on Dynamics architecture, data models and integrations in line with best practice and organisational standards.
• Ability to work collaboratively and influence across organisational boundaries. Experience working effectively with service owners, delivery teams, super users and external suppliers, translating
  service and user needs into practical solutions, providing pragmatic advice and supporting
  informed decision- making in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

Grade: SEO

Anticipated length: 1-2 years

Location: Glasgow or York

The Public Sector Reform Test, Learn and Grow (PSR TL&G) team is at the heart of the UK government’s initiative to drive innovation and reform in public service delivery. With the £100 million PSR Innovation Fund, our team collaborates with local authorities and government departments across the United Kingdom and with the Devolved Governments to design, test, and grow innovative solutions that enhance public service outcomes. By employing a “Test & Learn” approach, we focus
on creating evidence-based improvements while relieving pressures on public services. Our work involves piloting foundational programmes and place-based initiatives to accelerate mission delivery, support preventative measures, and foster a collaborative environment that encourages continuous improvement and innovation in public services.

Main responsibilities

You will:

• Organise exciting and generative events for local authorities and public sector partners on test and learn
• Help run the programme’s Network of local partners, ensuring content is appropriate and updated regularly, and
• Support the Communications Manager by preparing communications materials and press releases
• Liaise with other teams in the Cabinet Office Comms and Events teams to ensure approaches are aligned
• Work with Programme colleagues and those in place to find ways to tell and share stories about test and learn

Essential skills and/or experience

• Essential skills and/or experience
• Have strong communication skills and have a skill for telling a story
• Have experience in planning and executing events
• Are confident developing communications content such as briefings, press notices, and explainers
• Are a self-starter as well as enjoy the prospect of working as part of an energetic team
• Support equity and inclusion for our delivery work as well as for our teams and programme

This programme offers an exciting opportunity for UK Government civil servants to undertake secondments to local or strategic authorities, and for employees from local or strategic authorities to be seconded into the UK Government departments. It provides a formalised way to increase collaboration, develop leadership and strengthen our collective impact,  and offers a rare chance to build bridges across different parts of government and work together to make a real difference for local communities.

We aim to provide as much flexibility as possible with the duration of the secondments involved. The specific length of each placement will be determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the needs of the role and the individual secondee.

We are open to a range of secondment opportunities, including:

• Short-term secondments, which deliver a discrete piece of work may be more suited to a shorter arrangement, such as 12 weeks. For example, a secondee may be brought in to deliver a specific aspect of a larger project or to provide front-line experience to support a part of the policy development process.
• Longer-term secondments, which may be more suitable for the secondees who want to build capability and expertise or fully lead and deliver a longer-term project.
• Part-time arrangements may be beneficial for an individual who can join the host organisation for a set number of days per week or month, enabling them to continue their work in the home organisation for the remaining time. For example, it may be helpful to have a secondee who can support the ongoing development of a policy or programme by providing regular guidance and expertise, without needing to be involved full-time.
• Exchange or job swap opportunities between organisations. In these cases, individuals in similar roles and at comparable levels swap places to gain experience working in a different part of government, whilst also sharing their own expertise and knowledge.

Our goal is to accommodate secondment arrangements that work best for both the vacancy holder and the secondee. We are committed to offering flexibility to ensure the placement meets the unique needs and preferences of those involved.

The individual terms of the secondment, such as remuneration, will need to be agreed between the host and home organisation.

The usual arrangement for secondments is for individuals to remain on their home organisation’s Terms and Conditions, payroll and pay awards, which will mean no changes to employees’ pension arrangements and injury benefits will be made. The host organisation will reimburse the secondee’s salary costs to the home organisation and VAT will be applied in most cases.

GovXchange will run in partnership between the Cabinet Office and the Local Government Association. See the Resourcing and Secondments Expertise privacy notice, setting out how we will use your personal data, and your rights.

Once a secondment match has been agreed upon by both the host and home organisations, the specific terms of the secondment will need to be agreed. The secondee will also need to undertake any relevant security or pre-employment checks, as well as complete any actions required by the host organisation’s policies as part of the onboarding process.

Once any relevant checks or actions are completed and the host organisation confirms the secondment can go ahead, a start date can be agreed. The start date should be suitable for all parties involved.. 

Secondment placements will be based in Bristol, Darlington, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, York and the surrounding areas, although some additional travel may be required to other UK-based offices operated by host departments.

Please specify if you have any geographical restrictions at the time of expressing your interest in secondment opportunities. 

Secondment placements will be based in Bristol, Darlington, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, York and the surrounding areas. There may be more flexible arrangements, such as remote or hybrid working, on offer, but this will be role dependent and considered on a case-by-case basis.

Please specify if you have any geographical restrictions at the time of expressing your interest to take part in the programme

Yes, if you are interested in a secondment and have a non-standard working pattern, please include your preferred arrangement in the expression of interest form. This will help us to identify the most appropriate matches and ensure we can accommodate your requirements

We do not offer a relocation package. Candidates should be within commuting distance of the location they are interested in.