HR Capability, Talent and Development Manager

Government People Group

Government People Group (GPG) is the strategic and functional centre for the Government People Function and human resources (HR) in the Civil Service.

Led by the Joint Interim Government Chief People Officers, Caitlin Kinsella and Janette Durbin, we enable and improve the delivery of recruitment, training, workplace policy, HR strategy and management excellence to over half a million civil servants.

From recruitment to retirement, GPG is at the forefront of working with ministers and departments to ensure the Civil Service is equipped to deliver for UK citizens. Some of our work includes:

• Leading on cross-government HR strategy, organisation design and workforce planning.
• Procuring and delivering training and development schemes for the Civil Service.
• Delivering recruitment services, guidance and expertise to departments.
• Coordinating and advising departments on pay, pensions and employee policy.
• Setting standards and guidance for line managers and senior civil servants.
• Coordinating the implementation of the Shared Services Strategy for Government.
• Enhancing employee experience to promote an engaged workforce and culture of performance excellence.

Civil Service People Plan 2024-27

A shared aim of all civil servants working in the Government People Function is to support the delivery of the Civil Service People Plan .

The People Plan outlines five People Priorities for the Civil Service, alongside 45 commitments to address our most pressing and immediate people challenges. Departmental plans and strategies also align with and contribute towards the People Plan.

Working alongside other colleagues in the same role you will be assigned a portfolio of work from the key responsibilities listed below, portfolios will be assigned based on skills and experience and may be rotated to support your development and the delivery of team priorities.

The post holder will play a key role in supporting the continuous improvement of capability in the function and developing the identification, development, and retention of high-calibre talent. They will have a focus on shaping a diverse and highly skilled, agile workforce that meets the evolving needs of government. The successful candidate will work collaboratively across government organisations to streamline strategies, support engagement with the function, and encourage an inclusive culture.

The post holder will work with broad networks, to develop a streamlined, professional, accessible offer that links clearly to functional workforce requirements. Ensuring best value for the function and optimum results.

The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

Responsibilities could include:

• Develop the project approach, launch and delivery of the refresh of various cross functional documents and frameworks, for example the Career Framework and Professional Standards.
• Support the engagement for, design and implementation of a comprehensive cross government People function Talent strategy.
• Work with colleagues across Government People Group (GPG) to establish and maintain robust data capability and profession requirements, training needs and skills gap analysis. Use this data to support reporting for relevant forums and stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders across government departments to ensure collaboration on capability, development and talent interventions and initiatives for the function.
• Provide support and secretariat to senior talent boards for the function, working closely with the SEO and G7 that lead this work to produce clear and consistent briefing and documentation.
• Support engagement with all across the function, including events such as annual SCS conference and Civil Service Live.
• Feed into functional communications to promote and advocate for the team’s work. Using available comms channels to communicate and raise awareness of opportunities in the capability and talent space.
• Representation of the team at cross-government meetings and forums, information sharing and exchanging information on opportunities and activities in the capability and talent space in departments and other functions.
• Provide direct support to the contract management of centrally managed functional contracts such as apprenticeships and CIPD.