Home > Roles recruiting > Head of Innovation
G6 £62,122 - £74,091 per annum
Head of Innovation
Welcome letter
The Technology and Innovation Directorate sets the strategic direction for the technology platforms that underpin DBS services. These services help make recruitment safer and play a critical role within the safeguarding sector, having issued over 33.5 million disclosure certificates to date whilst simultaneously maintaining the Adult and Child barred lists.
Having recently moved away from a full technology outsource model, DBS is on a pathway to disaggregate its technology services. This entails breaking services down into key components, building internal capability to deliver services in-house where appropriate and using specialist strategic partners where required. DBS has a clear and ambitious Technology Roadmap designed to execute this activity, modernising both the technology and ways of working in the process.
As a result of the change in direction and the development of a clear and ambitious technology roadmap, the directorate is changing and expanding. Investing in the modernisation of existing services through digital transformation means expanding the existing, award-winning Digital Team into a fully-fledged Digital, Data and Technology function, whilst also ensuring the supporting services are scaled accordingly.
The Directorate Teams Comprise:
Digital, Data and Technology Team
This team provides the technical delivery capability for new and existing digital services, alongside the delivery of key technology sustainment and transformation projects. Agile by default, this team thrives on delivering customer-facing services based on user-centric design principles.
Service Management Office
Incorporating elements of both IT Service Management and SIAM capabilities within the in-house Service Management Office has been key for DBS in the journey away from a single outsource model to a multi-vendor approach. The team interfaces with colleagues and suppliers alike, managing all levels of the ITIL process stack.
Information Governance & Cyber Security
Managing sensitive information in a digital environment demands a strong cyber capability coupled with a mature information governance regime. This team provides both capabilities to DBS through a mixture of technology, assurance and leadership roles within the team.
Enterprise Architecture
Having recently moved away from an outsourced technology model and now being firmly in control of its technology direction, the Enterprise Architecture function ensures that core technology principles are embedded into all technology activities. The team own the DBS 2025 Technology Roadmap and ensure the modernisation of DBS services and technology platforms is executed in a controlled, logical and strategic manner.
Innovation
A new capability within DBS, this function is designed to provide an organisation-wide innovation capability. The function focuses on innovation in general, rather than purely technology innovation, hence the organisation-wide span of operation.
Job description
Directorate Technology and Innovation
Location Liverpool based with remote working
Reports to Exec Director Technology & Innovation
Line Management Yes
Security Clearance Basic
About the department
DBS was established under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 on 1 December 2012, operating from two sites, Liverpool and Darlington. We operate on behalf of government delivering Disclosure functions in England, Wales, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, and Barring functions for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We operate in the complex world of safeguarding alongside our multi agency partners. Safeguarding means protecting people’s health, wellbeing and human rights, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.
We provide a service that enables organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors to make better informed, safer recruitment and other decisions. We do this by providing information to enable them to determine whether individuals are unsuitable or unable to undertake certain work, particularly with occupations involving regular contact with vulnerable groups, including children.
DBS has a number of strategic Priorities:
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Provide high quality, reliable, consistent, timely and accessible services for our customers.
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Embrace technology to drive improvements to the quality of our work.
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Develop a talented and diverse workforce that understands how their contributions help to achieve our objectives.
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Build a flexible, vibrant and contemporary workplace where our staff will be able to do their jobs using modern ways of working that are smart and which promote OneDBS.
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Raise awareness of the DBS and the services we offer, keeping people informed through our communications, to increase public understanding and confidence in our organisation.
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Be a respected and trusted organisation, working with our partners to play an influential role in the environment in which we operate.
Further information about the Disclosure & Barring Service can be found on the DBS website.
Job purpose
Reporting to the Executive Director Technology & Innovation, the Head of Innovation is a new role dedicated to changing the culture within DBS by making innovation the norm and ‘business as usual’. They will create a framework and strategy for innovation to work with experts in the business to identify the challenges they face. They will inspire staff, generating a creative environment to identify innovative solutions that transform how the DBS works and services customers. They will also work with partners and other organisations to support and develop innovative ideas.
Corporate duties
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Promote DBS as a safeguarding organisation with internal and external stakeholders
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Fully engage stakeholders and customers in the DBS change programme and work collaboratively with key stakeholders to deliver transformational change.
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Play an active part as a member of the Directorate Management Team undertake corporate duties on behalf of the Executive Director.
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Contribute to ongoing corporate development by playing an active role in business design and planning, and leading cultural change through setting direction and modelling desired behaviours.
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Support the DBS Board and committees as required.
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Work as part of wider Directorate Management bringing together skills and expertise into a coherent and enabling Directorate, establishing and managing risks, audit, business planning and financial management as required.
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Support the Executive Director in creating joined up innovation plans that have positive impact and are aligned to the DBS’s overarching strategy.
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To be prepared to work flexibly and to change priorities and workloads quickly and effectively dependent upon the requirements of the role.
Key responsibilities:
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Take the lead in the development of a framework and strategic approach to managing and implementing innovation across the entire organisation.
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Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of DBS’ strategy, business models and technology landscape.
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Provide specialist expertise in introducing innovative and integrated solutions that support the current and future business plan objectives and business needs.
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Monitor the external environment to gather intelligence on emerging technologies, products, services, methods and techniques.
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Lead on evaluating and implementing innovative opportunities as and when they arise and provide full guidance to the business on the impact on processes, policies and operating models.
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Support the delivery of technology and business change and be the ‘go-to’ person for advice and support around innovative solutions.
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Ensure that all new solutions take account of relevant policies, procedures, standards and working practices for example security and that existing solutions are compatible
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Provide clear direction, effective leadership and development support to colleagues within the team, wider Directorate and organisation.
Rider clause
This is an outline of duties and responsibilities. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list and may change from time to time to meet the changing needs of the DBS.
Person specification
Essential Abilities
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Challenger: You can bring a fresh perspective whatever the situation or context. You see other people’s views and can appreciate there are many different angles to consider.
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Change Agent: You are positive and inspirational in leading and supporting others through change.
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Courageous: You are an innovator who tries new approaches and pushes yourself to work outside your comfort zone.
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Explainer: You simplify complexities and adapt communication so others can understand.
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Influencer: You influence others, you articulate the rationale to gain their agreement.
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Improver: You look for better ways of doing things and enjoy coming up with new and original ideas.
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Motivator: You are highly driven and inspire others to move things along and make things happen.
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Networker: You proactively create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the organisation. You identify connections and reach out to bring people together.
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Strategic: You look at the big picture and consider the wider
Essential Experience
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Proven experience setting up and leading an innovation capability, or similar related leadership role.
Technical skills
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Understanding of Innovation Frameworks (Essential)
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Experience of building Innovation Frameworks (Desirable)
Behaviours
The Civil Service has defined a set of behaviours that, when demonstrated, are associated with job success. For this role you should demonstrate the following Civil Service Behaviours:
Leadership: Seek out shared interests beyond own area of responsibility, understanding the extent of the impact actions have on the organisation.
Making Effective Decisions: Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
Communicating and Influencing: Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
Changing & Improving: Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.
Developing Self & Others: Focus on continuous learning and development for self, others and the organisation as a whole.
Delivering at Pace: Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive
Success profiles
During the application for this role, we will be using the new Civil Service Success Profiles.
You may find it helpful to read through Success Profiles online, where you can find various links which sets out the five elements of the Success profile: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles
