Strategy and Governance - Team Leads

Infected Blood Compensation Authority; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

A public body responsible for compensation schemes is looking for Grade 7 Strategy Leads. The roles involve strategic and leadership opportunities within the IBCA, focusing on policy development and cross-functional collaboration. Ideal candidates will have strong strategic thinking and engagement skills. Salary is £58,655 with additional pension contributions and benefits.

Benefits

Civil Service Pension with employer contribution

Flexible working options

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven ability to draft high-quality advice and engage with senior leaders.
• Experience in policy development and strategic planning.
• Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Support IBCA's Board and Executive Committee in strategic vision delivery.
• Deliver policy solutions addressing organizational challenges.
• Advise teams on governance and strategic decision-making.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Team collaboration

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Overview

The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) was established on 24 May 2024, as part of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, and is a non-Crown Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) sponsored by Cabinet Office. IBCA is responsible for delivering the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, which will provide financial compensation to victims of infected blood on a UK-wide basis. We are seeking collaborative and self-motivated individuals to join our team as Grade 7 Strategy Leads for the delivery of financial and legal support services to people claiming compensation through the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA). Candidates who are over the line but not appointed to the role will be offered the opportunity to go on the reserve list, or may be offered similar roles in the organisation including at different grades. Opportunities to move to the new Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA). At the moment all IBCA roles are hosted by Cabinet Office within the Civil Service. However, once IBCA becomes an independent employer, it is anticipated that most of these roles will transfer to IBCA, which means that the post-holder will leave the Civil Service to become a public servant. Roles that transfer to IBCA from Cabinet Office will maintain the same (Infected Blood Compensation Authority) or substantially the same terms and conditions of employment that are overall no less favourable. Employees who move from Cabinet Office to IBCA will be able to continue to participate in the Civil Service Pension arrangements with no break in their pensionable service. Roles commencing after IBCA has become an employer may be with IBCA itself on similar terms and conditions. All successful candidates will receive full details of the terms and conditions of employment for their role with their formal job offer. Please note that the mission of IBCA means that it is likely to be operational for a period of approximately 5 to 7 years. When IBCA's work begins to wind down, IBCA employees will receive support and practical guidance to find a new role, whether in the Civil Service, another Arms Length Body (ALB), or an external employer. IBMCA has been set up as an independent body to pay compensation due under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme.

Role participation

We are looking to welcome a number of G7 Strategy Leads to the central Strategy team. These roles will be challenging, fast paced, and rewarding. We are looking for talented, self-motivated and driven individuals able to apply strategic thinking and leadership to help design, deliver and embed key policy and strategic work strands into IBCA, to enable the delivery of compensation. It will provide the successful candidates with the opportunity to work with senior leaders, cross-functional teams across IBCA and with government departments. This is an excellent opportunity for those looking to make a meaningful impact.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities will vary depending on the particular role. We are recruiting for Strategy leads to work in various areas of the team including policy and strategy, professional services, and governance.

• Policy and Strategy roles: These roles will support IBCA's Board and Executive Committee to deliver a 'whole organisation' approach as we deliver on our strategic vision. The postholders will work across IBCA - and with a range of government departments - to support the organisation to deliver in a strategic and joined up way, manage our relationship with Cabinet Office as our sponsor department as well as design and deliver policy solutions that respond to the challenges that the organisation faces.
• Professional Services roles: These roles will cover IBCA's strategy for providing professional support services to people claiming compensation. This will involve identifying, developing and designing the options for the procurement and delivery of legal and financial support services to people claiming compensation, working closely with teams across the organisation. It will also involve engagement with government departments on policy, strategy and delivery, including Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, as well as with senior IBCA stakeholders including ExCo and the IBCA Board.
• Governance roles: These roles will involve supporting the top-level governance framework of the organisation, including the Board of Non-Executive Directors, the Executive Committee and the Executive Committee's sub-boards. This will require you to advise teams on governance matters, including strategic decision-making and processes, and to play a key role as a member of the Board Secretariat or ExCo Secretariat.

Key responsibilities shared across all roles

• Drafting high quality advice at pace for consideration by IBCA's senior leaders, including the Board and ExCo.
• Working across the organisation to bring together different ideas and teams.
• Working with incomplete evidence or competing steers to provide a unified sense of direction for the organisation.
• Advocating on behalf of IBCA with Government Departments and external stakeholders.

Selection process and behaviours

• IBCA will appoint successful candidates to each of the roles.
• We will assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Seeing the Big Picture; Making Effective Decisions; Delivering at Pace.
• Your CV and Statement of Suitability will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the 'Person Specification' section of the job advert, with one combined score covering both elements.
• Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead criterion 'Deploying excellent judgement when faced with high profile or urgent issues. You will be able to balance complex policy and delivery questions and wider strategic considerations'. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
• Should you be successful at sift, you will be invited to attend an interview where you will be assessed on experience, behaviours and strengths.

Timeline and eligibility

• Expected timeline (subject to change)
• Expected sift date - WC 3rd November 2025
• Expected interview date/s - WC 10th November 2025
• Interview location - Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Additional information

• Reasonable adjustments: If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via [e-mail] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs, and complete the \'Assistance required\' 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 you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.
• Further information: If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the \'contact point for applicants\' section. A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.
• Any move to IBCA 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/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 [e-mail] stating the job reference number in the subject heading. For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service, please contact the Disclosure Scotland Helpline or email [e-mail].
• New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. 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 applicant's 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.
• Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
• Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security and eligibility

• Security: Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
• Nationality requirements: This job is broadly open to various groups including UK nationals, Irish nationals, Commonwealth nationals with right to work, EU/EEA/Swiss/Norwegian/Liechtenstein nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and others as specified.

Benefits

• £58,655 salary listed; upon entry, employees will become eligible to receive an IBCA premium allowance (non-pensionable and non-contractual) set at 7.5% of the spot rate. It is an annual allowance paid monthly with salary.
• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% plusIBCA contribution of £16,992 towards the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Learning and development tailored to your role; flexible working options; inclusive culture; and a Civil Service pension with the employer contribution.