You will lead the Controls and Assurance Divisions Provider Assurance Team (PAT). The team are responsible for: testing suppliers systems of internal controls to establish how effective they are in managing risks to DWP, DWP customers and the taxpayer through targeted assurance reviews lasting 6-20 weeks. reporting findings to CMPDs Director, CMPD Senior Leadership Team, and colleagues in Finance, Commercial and the suppliers senior leadership team. This includes setting requirements and providing recommendations on strengthening suppliers controls. collaborating with CMPD account managers to monitor and assure the completion of required improvements. There is currently 32 staff within the team, in locations across England and Wales. The team will grow to 40 staff by the end of 2025. You will fill one of two roles available: Head of Provider Assurance Team (Contracted Suppliers) will be responsible for overseeing assurance reviews of contracted suppliers delivering employment support and health assessments and managing a small team responsible for delivering corporate support to Controls and Assurance Divisions Senior Leadership Team. Head of Provider Assurance Team (Grants) will be responsible for assurance reviews of grant recipients delivering employment support, initially focussed on local authorities delivering the new supported employment programme, Connect to Work. Your key tasks in these roles will include: leading the Provider Assurance Team, fostering an open, inclusive culture that encourages personal development, is resilient to change, and values the contributions of all. overseeing the planning, delivery and evaluation of a programme of assurance reviews spanning over 50 DWP suppliers and grant recipients. line managing a team of Senior Assurance Managers, supporting and empowering them to deliver their best and effectively manage their own sub-teams, including through inducting and mentoring new staff. finalising process and product design for new Connect to Work assurance reviews, in collaboration with colleagues across CMPD. championing continuous improvement and ensuring assurance review policy adapts to evolutions in the supplier landscape, Departmental priorities and risk appetite. Being an active member of the CAD leadership team, making the division a great place to work. If based in Wales, the ability to speak Welsh is desirable. Frequent travel, including overnight stays is a requirement for these roles. Person specification We are looking for pro-active, engaging and confident leaders who demonstrate the following essential criteria: Lead criteria have experience of delivering non-financial assurance, or managing risks at a corporate level, in complex operational environments have strong leadership skills, with the ability to lead confidently and visibly from the front, clearly set expectations, drive innovation and manage team health strong problem solving, decision making and analytical skills with the ability to interpret and act upon complex and contradictory evidence. have strong communication skills, with the ability and communicate ideas concisely and compellingly in a range of different formats to diverse audiences, including those in senior positions proactively create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range people inside and outside of DWP Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Leadership Making Effective Decisions Delivering at Pace Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Non-financial assurance Benefits Alongside your salary of 55,557, Department for Work and Pensions contributes 16,094 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. 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 (prorata 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 years 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 Womens Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical skills. Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. After submission of the first stage of your application, you will be invited to complete the Civil Service Judgement Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final written stage of the application. Please complete the on-line tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended). The closing date for both the tests and written application is 23:55 on 8th September 2025. If you fail to complete the on-line tests and written application before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered on-line and accessed via the Civil Service Jobs (CSJ) website. Our online test supplier will be performing scheduled maintenance 24th August 2025 & 30th August 2025. There will be up to 1 hour during this time where candidates will not be able to access tests. All online tests will be affected. Impact for candidates Candidates who are taking a test when the downtime starts will have their test paused. They will be able to pick up where they left off after the downtime. They can do this by accessing the test again from their application centre. Candidates will not be able to launch new tests during the downtime. Candidates reporting issues should be advised to return to take the test after 7:00pm on 24th August 2025 & 30th August 2025. At the final written stage of the application, applicants will be asked to provide: 1. A short CVlisting your skills and experience. 2. Personal Statement of no more than 1000 words against the essential criteria as outlined above. Your CV will only be considered for applications that progress to job offer and will assist the vacancy holders in matching skills to suitable opportunities/locations. It will not form part of the sifting process or be scored. Sift: All applications will be sifted according to the key criteria within the person specification section of this advert, using the information you provide on the Personal Statement template supplied in the application process. Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead criteria annotated above. If your application proceeds to full sift all criteria will be considered. Interview: Applicants meeting the agreed minimum standard will be interviewed using the blended approach testing a Technical Skill, Behaviours & Strengths. Applicants invited to interview, will be required to deliver a 5-minute presentation at the start of your interview, addressing the Technical Skill below: 'Non-financial assurance. You will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the competencies required to plan and deliver assurance engagements and evaluate their outcomes.' Details of the presentation and what is required will be supplied 3 days in advance of your interview. Sift and Interview dates to be confirmed. Postings: Successful candidates will be posted in merit order based on your location preferences and the geographical requirements of the business. 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. You will be asked for your preferences for up to 2 locations, these will tell us where you would prefer to work if you are successful. Please do not select a location unless you are prepared to accept a role in that location. Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles here. Successful candidates will be posted in merit order based on your location preferences, where appropriate, and the geographical requirements of the business. Dependent on your position on the merit list, if none of your location preferences remain at the point we make a job offer, DWP may offer you a role at an alternative advertised location. If we are unable to offer you a role in any of your preferred locations, and you are unable to accept a role at an alternative advertised location, we will add you to the reserve list if one is being held. The roles available will be based in: Birmingham 3 Arena Central, Bridge Street, Birmingham B1 2AX Blackpool Peel Park, Brunel Way, Blackpool FY4 5ES Glasgow Atlantic Quay, Glasgow G2 8SP. Leeds Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UA. Manchester 2 St Peters Square, Manchester, M2 3AA. Newcastle Benton Park View, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE98 1BA. (Please note: that for candidates requesting to work in Newcastle, this role will be based at Benton Park View from November 2025, and then at 1 Pilgrim Place in Newcastle city centre by the end of 2027) Sheffield Hartshead Square, Sheffield, S1 2FD. Treforest, Ty Taf, Main Avenue, Treforest, Pontypridd, CF37 5YN. A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve list candidates will be posted in merit order by location. Further Information Find out more about Working for DWP For these vacancies, 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. Any move to DWP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website. If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk. Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action. Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. Reasonable Adjustment At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce. 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 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 youre 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. 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 (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. 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). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. 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 This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : CMPD Recruitment Team Email : fg.cmpdresourcingandrecruitment@dwp.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : dwprecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk Further information Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commissions Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DWP by email: HR.BUSINESSASSURANCE@DWP.GOV.UK. 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. Attachments DWP CMPD Candidate Pack (New) Opens in new window (pdf, 739kB) Success Profiles Accessible Version Opens in new window (docx, 70kB) Terms and Conditions Opens in new window (docx, 17kB) 410994 - DWP Candidate Pack- W - Opens in new window (pdf, 771kB)