Bristol, Leeds, London, Manchester
From energy to security, health to human rights, we help the Government deliver life changing law for citizens.
The Government Legal Department is the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high profile matters that are frequently scrutinised in Parliament and the media. Our work includes:
GLD is a non-ministerial government department, sponsored by the Attorney General. We are headed by the Treasury Solicitor, our Permanent Secretary and employ nearly 3000 people, including over 2000 legal professionals. Our offices include London, Leeds, Bristol, Croydon and Manchester as well as overseas. We provide specialist legal services including Litigation, Employment and Commercial Law as well as advising most Government Departments on the policies and services they deliver.
GLD also depends on a range of vital corporate services. These are essential to the smooth and efficient running of the Department and provide the foundation to enable GLD to deliver outstanding legal services. Our corporate functions include Strategy, HR, Finance, Digital, Data and Technology, Communications, Security, Commercial and Project delivery.
Our vision is to be an outstanding legal organisation and a brilliant place to work where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. This is an exciting time for GLD, with cutting edge.
legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service.
To find out more about what we do visit the Government Legal Department’s webpage or have a look at this short film which showcases the breadth of work government lawyers and legal trainees are involved in.
GLD’s HR team’s ambition is to build on our commitment, professionalism, and expertise so that we can provide first class, customer focussed HR services. We want to support all GLD staff, promoting a diverse and inclusive culture, and developing inspiring and confident leaders and managers. By doing this we will provide a solid foundation underpinning the delivery of legal services to the government.
The People Development Team are GLD’s expert Learning & Development (L&D) function, sitting as part of the wider HR team. The team provide L&D opportunities, interventions, advice and support to enable GLD to deliver on its strategy, purpose and vision.
The team’s approach is underpinned by the following principles. It:
The team performs core learning functions in the areas of career development, talent management, leadership and line manager development, induction, personal effectiveness, and Early Talent (a portfolio of work which includes our Legal Trainee Scheme, Apprenticeships, development of the Paralegal profession in GLD, and Outreach to schools and universities).
The Role
The role provides oversight of, and leadership to, the People Development Team. The post holder will lead a team of c.20 L&D professionals, including direct line management of 4 Grade 7s, working to deliver key learning interventions across the department. They will also operate as part of the HR senior management team, providing leadership across the HR division People Strategy
They will provide partnering support, challenge, and L&D expertise to those responsible for capability development within the business and oversee the continuous improvement of GLD’s overall L&D offer.
The post holder will operate at a strategic level as a trusted advisor, providing an objective view and challenge to enable the business to articulate their needs and to help shape capability building to achieve business outcomes. They may also be required to act as a skilled facilitator or coach.
As the Head of People Development your responsibilities will include:
Behaviours
Below are details of the Success Profiles that make up this role.
You will be expected to provide evidence to show how you meet the criteria at interview and/or selection stage.
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Experience (Essential)
Qualifications – Minimum Eligibility Criteria
Civil Service Code
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of you and other civil servants. These are based on the core values which are set out in legislation. As a civil servant, you are expected to carry out your role with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service and its core values of:
These core values support good government and ensures the achievement of the highest possible standards in all that the Civil Service does.
For further information about Civil Service recruitment processes and Success profiles, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles
Chartered MCIPD or equivalent experience and willing to work towards this level of membership.
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
Alongside your salary of £68,750, Government Legal Department contributes £19,916 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
The law requires that 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 Recruitment Principles.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact Caroline.Anerville@governmentlegal.gov.uk in the first instance.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission.
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