Deputy Director Digital Portfolio Planning and Resourcing

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are seeking a Deputy Director Digital Portfolio Planning and Resourcing on a permanent basis, this is an SCS1 grade post.

The FCDO’s enduring purpose as a department is “to lead the Government’s diplomatic, development and consular work around the world”. We employ around 17,000 staff in our global network of 281 offices worldwide. Our UK-based staff work in King Charles Street in London, Abercrombie House in East Kilbride and in Milton Keynes – this role is available from all FCDO locations.

This role reports to the Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO) and will be a member of the Information and Digital Directorate (IDD) senior leadership team, supporting the CDIO with the collective leadership of the Directorate. So, if you are excited by change, passionate about building technology and data partnerships and dedicated to leading diverse and inclusive teams, then please consider joining us!

As Deputy Director Digital Portfolio Planning and Resourcing, you have responsibility for delivery critical operational services including:

• Ensuring IDD’s significant budget is managed effectively on behalf of the CDIO;
• Overseeing IDD’s delivery portfolio of major programmes, projects, products, and services. Where other Directorates are delivering Digital and Data projects shared leadership will exist;
• Leading the delivery of IDD’s People Strategy;
• Overseeing key IDD governance and risk management forums and ensuring Cross Government digital spend controls are adhered to.

In addition to holding British Citizenship (for security purposes and to obtain DV clearance), applicants should demonstrate their skills and experience against the following essential criteria in their CV and supporting statement:

• Digital/technical experience: You will be part of a leadership team leading a Digital and Technology professional function. Extensive transferrable experience of this agenda is key.
• Budget management: IDD has a large and complex budget managed by a Directorate finance team. You will have experience in managing large budgets, ideally in the delivery of digital and technical services, and providing strategic oversight is critical.
• Effective stakeholder management and networking: You will systematically identify, analyse and communicate with stakeholders at all levels in FCDO, 1HMG organisations and external suppliers, using appropriate channels and ensuring all those impacted by the activity are engaged, taking account of their levels of influence and particular interests.
• Organisational experience: You will have experience of leading in a large, complex, geographically dispersed, technical organisation.
• Transformation & Change management: IDD has been in a state of change for the last few years and there remains an ambitious change agenda to continue its transformation to a high-performing Digital & Data organisation. You will have experience in leading transformation, ensuring that the intended benefits of the change are achieved, addressing the wider impacts of change on people and how they, as individuals and teams, move from the current situation to the new one.
• Business strategy and vision: You will have experience in setting a strategy and plan for developing the Digital & Data Function, including prioritising and resourcing work activities, aligning to wider departmental strategy, helping to shape and deliver the work plan and making active contributions to governance boards.

Applicants will also demonstrate excellent digital, data and technology skills in order to engage effectively with technical staff, suppliers and stakeholders. You will also exhibit the following Behaviours, which you will be assessed against if Shortlisted:

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture

To apply, applicants must provide a tailored CV, supporting statement (up to 1,250 words) explaining your suitability for the role and a completed diversity monitoring form. The application deadline is Thursday 19th June by 17:00. Applications must be sent to FCDO@allenlane.co.uk.

This role is available from FCDO’s London HQ, East Kilbride or Hanslope Park offices. You will be required to work from this location in line with the FCDO policies on hybrid working (minimum 60% in the office). There will be regular travel to other offices and there may be opportunities for international travel.

If successful you must hold, or be willing to obtain, security clearance to DV level. All offers of appointment will be subject to achieving DV level clearance. You must have been resident in the UK for five out of the last ten years immediately prior to your application.

We want the modern FCDO to reflect the very best of 21st century Britain. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified applicants, irrespective of background or circumstances.