Deputy Director Operational Delivery

About the IMA

The IMA is an independent body that makes sure the rights of EU and EEA EFTA citizens and their family members living in the UK and Gibraltar are upheld following the departure of the UK from the EU.

The IMA has two broad duties as set out in Part 2 of the Withdrawal and Separation Agreements – to monitor and to promote.

We monitor UK public bodies to make sure they adequately and effectively implement the rights provided for by the Citizens’ Rights Agreements. We promote the adequate and effective implementation and application of the Agreements by holding public bodies to account where there is not full compliance. The IMA is an independent arms-length body of the Ministry of Justice.

Further information can be found at: https://ima-citizensrights.org.uk/

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging.

About the role

The Deputy Director, Operational Delivery will be responsible for leading a busy team and maintaining high standards in a complex, challenging and wide-ranging area of EU citizens’ rights. The work involves gathering data and intelligence, conducting investigations and inquiries into the application of EU citizens’ rights. This is a unique opportunity to influence and shape the way EU citizens’ rights are applied in our national social and economic landscape.

The post holder will play a pivotal role in the effective delivery of the IMA’s operational activity.  Reporting to the Director of Operational Delivery, the role is key to delivering the IMA’s strategic objectives over the next few years.  The post holder will lead a team of around 25 colleagues, overseeing a wide range of operational activity, from securing the data and intelligence that is used to derive insight and understanding of EU citizens’ rights, to compliance and assurance investigations and formal inquiries regarding delivery by relevant public authorities of Withdrawal Agreement commitments to citizens’ rights. 

You will have a close working relationship with the IMA executive team which makes this an influential role and one where you will shape the way the senior leadership team makes decisions.

You will take on a varied workload.  As well as delivering existing functions you will need to develop and embed continuous improvement to build new capabilities and transition these into business-as-usual.

Purpose of the post

The Deputy Director, Operational Delivery post leads and manages the Data & Insight and Compliance & Inquiry teams of the IMA. 

The Data & Insight team is currently developing a data insight function and a data strategy to effectively use data and insight to inform and drive the work of the IMA. The team leads IMA activity to gather information and intelligence to build a picture of lived experiences of EU citizens in order to direct and support IMA operational activity.  This includes receiving complaints from citizens who believe they might have been denied their rights following the UK’s exit from the European Union.  They also engage with a wide range of stakeholders to gather data and intelligence, and to derive insight and analytics to tell an influential story.

The Compliance and Inquiry team conducts compliance and assurance investigations, and formal inquiries regarding delivery by relevant governments and public authorities of Withdrawal Agreement commitments to EU citizens’ rights: including the right to live and work in the UK and not to be discriminated against on the grounds of nationality.  The team also undertakes monitoring action to oversee required changes to regulations, guidance or policy by governments and public authorities, including changes arising from litigation.

Compliance investigations include informal and formal engagement with public authorities, to understand potential issues, identifying and securing early case resolution on issues where appropriate, as well as monitoring public authorities’ implementation of citizens’ rights. Statutory inquiry investigations include formal engagement with public authorities, stakeholder engagement and determining suitable recommendations including monitoring any resulting implementation by the subject of an inquiry.

Key Responsibilities

Providing inspiring and motivational leadership to the insight and compliance & inquiry teams, directing and coordinating their work, and helping them to understand how their contribution supports the overall aims of the IMA. Driving a strong culture of engagement and collaborative working with a range of stakeholders, including public authorities responsible for delivering commitments to EU citizens’ rights, and the sector interested in EU citizens’ rights. Direct and manage a high-performing team to deliver the insight and intelligence, compliance, monitoring and inquiry caseload under risk-based prioritisation principles. This includes managing a flexible resource outside your line management. Continuous development of high-quality standards and methodology for operational work including insight and investigations across a large range of complex issues. Oversee the development and embedding of a data insight function and a data strategy for the IMA. Leading the development of strong terms of reference for research and investigation activity, obtaining agreement from senior management where appropriate. Engaging with senior officials in public authorities to ensure investigation aims can be met, securing their input and engagement to commit time and quality to support efficiency. Leading on the production of high-standard compliance and inquiry activity which is evidence-based and make clear, justified and defensible recommendations and findings in relation to the UK Government’s and public authorities’ delivery of citizens’ rights. Monitoring and assessing public authorities’ response and actions in relation to compliance and inquiry reports and recommendations, advising and reporting to the IMA Board on compliance monitoring arising from inquiries or litigation. Working with IMA lawyers to consider and advise IMA senior management and the IMA Board on potential legal action against public authorities.  Person specification

To be successful in this role it is likely that you’ll be:

A self-starter with proven experience of working under pressure, with an excellent record for delivering to deadlines and taking decisions, as well as the resilience to providing challenging advice and recommendations to peers and colleagues. A strong communicator with strong influencing skills, including the ability to manage complex and senior relationships, to represent the organisation, and to distil complex technical messages. An inspiring people leader and manager with the ability to attract, lead, motivate and develop colleagues at all levels to the highest standards. An effective and strong team player Essential Skills

Significant and relevant senior management experience or proven skills in an inquiry, compliance, monitoring or operational background and in a dynamic, complex environment. Strong leadership and management skills, with experience of leading complex programmes of work, while thinking and acting strategically. Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills with senior stakeholders in a challenging environment. A proven track record of delivering a high standard of professional service, and ability to coordinate resources based on competing demands. A proven track record of quickly grasping complex and technical policy issues and finding solutions to benefit organisational objectives, including within legally defined functions. Experience of interpreting complex data to deliver major projects and reports. Effective decision maker, confident in making evidence-based decisions that can withstand scrutiny and challenge. Behaviours

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

Leadership Seeing the Bigger Picture Communicating and Influencing Making Effective Decisions Changing and Improving Location

Please note that the current HQ is based at the Civic Centre in Swansea. 

The IMA is currently operating an informal and non-contractual hybrid working arrangement, with a regular requirement to attend the office in Swansea.

If you would like to discuss this further, please get in touch with the job contact HR@ima-citizensrights.org.uk

Benefits

We take development seriously and want to enable you to build a successful career with the IMA. It is crucial that our employees have the right skills to develop their careers and meet the challenges ahead, and you’ll benefit from regular performance and development reviews to ensure this development is ongoing.

You’ll be entitled to a large range of benefits:  

Learning and development tailored to your role  Flexible working options, including flexi time  25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service. This is in addition to 8 public holidays. This will be complimented by one privilege day entitlement.  A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity  Civil Service Pension – a competitive contributory pension scheme that you can enter as soon as you join where we will make a significant contribution (an average employer contribution of 27%) to the cost of your pension. Your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken  Established reward and recognition scheme for staff  Generous paid maternity and paternity leave which is notably more than the statutory minimum offered by many other employers  Interest-free loans allowing you to spread the cost of an annual travel season ticket or a new bicycle  Occupational sick pay, employee assistance services and health and wellbeing initiatives such as flu vaccines and health screening.  We have a range of family-friendly policies, such as part-time working, job sharing, parental leave and career breaks and a range of leave options for parents. These depend on business needs, but our aim is to help you achieve a positive work-life balance.  Security 

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Check. Successful candidates may be required to undertake CTC security clearance in the future. Selection process details 

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a Summary of your Job history and previous skills and experience and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please note that your personal statement should demonstrate your suitability in no more than 1000 words that highlights the reason you are interested in the role and how your experience makes you the best candidate. You should also refer to the essential requirements, behaviours and technical skills set out above.

At interview, you will be asked to prepare and deliver a presentation, the details of which will be given to you in advance. 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

Please note we do not consider CV applications – you must apply for this role through Civil Service Jobs.

Sift and Interview Dates 

Sifting is envisaged to take place from w/c 26 February with interviews provisionally scheduled for w/c 11 March

These will take place in person at the Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road, Swansea, SA1 3SN.

Interviews are usually conducted in English.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to be able to attend or undertake an interview, please contact HR HR@ima-citizensrights.org.uk

Job Contact

Name: Pam Everett

Email: HR@ima-citizensrights.org.uk

If you require any assistance please call 0345 603 7262  (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com

Please quote the job reference.

To apply please make your application through the IMA portal