
Policy Advisor - Cultural Property
- Public sector
- Manchester
- 06/05/2025
- £34,584.00 - £42,174.00 /yearly
- Fixed Term Contract
Location
Job Type
Salary
Date Posted:
Expiration date:
Job ID
Work Location
The DCMS Cultural Property team has one of the most interesting, unique and varied policy portfolios in government. From Anglo-Saxon treasures and ancient artefacts to contemporary masterpieces and modern classics, we deal with important, historic and iconic objects every day. We tell our national story, promote economic growth and contribute to the UK's international soft power through cultural property.
The Cultural Property team oversees the UK's national and international cultural property policies, including statutory functions to enable our museums and galleries to acquire and exhibit cultural property for public benefit, our response to the illicit trade in cultural property and to claims for the restitution of cultural property in UK museums. We have responsibility for the government's relations with the UK art market, which is the second largest art market in the world after the USA and a world renowned centre of expertise.
Cultural Property is part of the wider Museums and Cultural Property (MCP) team in the DCMS Culture and Creative Industries (CCI) directorate, reporting to Gemma Brough, Deputy Director of MCP, and Hannah Malik, Director of CCI. There are currently 10 people in the Cultural Property team.
We are looking for an HEO policy adviser to join the Cultural Property team in a newly created post to strengthen our response to trade (including illicit trade), crime and international issues relating to cultural property.
The successful candidate will work with colleagues in the team and with partners and stakeholders within and outside government to develop, implement and manage policies and initiatives to:
There may also be opportunities to contribute to the delivery of the cultural property statutory functions (such as export licensing and the Government Indemnity Scheme), and to take on cross-cutting responsibilities both on cultural property and across the wider Museums and Cultural Property team.
Essential Requirements:
Desirable Skills:
We are running an information session where prospective applicants can find out more about the role. This will be hosted by Karl Jagdis, Head of Cultural Property - International Trade and Protection, and will take place at:
The session will be an opportunity to hear more about the role, the team and wider directorate and the department. It will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions.
Please register your interest by filling out this Registration form by 12pm on Wednesday 14th May and you will be sent an invitation.
Please note that the session will not focus on the DCMS recruitment process - please direct any queries that you have on this topic (timelines, reasonable adjustments, onboarding etc) to [email protected]
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
DCMS values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. We're committed to developing talent, and supporting colleagues to have great careers in our department. To support with that, some of the benefits we offer include:
Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working - DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home
26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years' service
A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice
3 days of paid volunteering leave
Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave
Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year
Occupational sick pay
Access to the Employee Assistance Programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice
Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks
Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day to day work
Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!
Terms and conditions at SCS grades will vary. Those applying for SCS roles should refer to the candidate information pack for more information on terms and conditions.
To apply for this post, please send us the following documents no later than 23:55 on 25th May 2025 via the CS Jobs portal:
To apply for this vacancy, you will need to submit the following documents which will assessed against the experience success profile:
For the shortlist, we will select applicants demonstrating the best fit for the role by considering the evidence provided in your application.
For indicative sift and interview dates please refer to the attached Candidate Information Pack.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial sift will be conducted on the statement of suitability. Those who are successful in the initial sift will then be scored on all elements of the application.
The interview process will assess behaviours and strengths including a short presentation the details of which will be provided prior to interview.
The behaviours to be tested at interview are:
Prior to the interview you will be sent the behaviour questions in advance. You will not be made aware of the strengths being assessed prior to your interview.
As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation. Full details of this, including the topic, length of time, and whether or not you will
need to use visual aids, will be sent to you prior to your interview.
Your interview will take place remotely via Google Meet.
For support in writing your application and interviewing, please refer to the 'Application and Interview Guidance' document attached to the job advert.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Department for Culture, Media and Sport 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. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
DCMS has a London and a National pay scale. For more information on this, including the circumstances in which each pay scale will apply, please see the 'Candidate Information Pack' attached.
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 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 [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
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.
If the vacancy is offered as FTA/Loan, existing Civil Servants must join on a Loan basis only. Prior agreement to be released on loan must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
NSV
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process.
In order to request an adjustment, please:
Complete the 'Assistance required' section on 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 a verbal test rather than a written one.
Alternatively, contact the Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility difficulties with any of the attachments, please contact us. Contact details can be found in the 'contact point for applicants' section of the job advert.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.This job is broadly open to the following groups:
HEO Policy Advisor, Cultural Property - 404090 Opens in new window (pdf, 6763kB)
DCMS Application & Interview Guidance for Candidates Aug 23 Opens in new window (docx, 67kB)
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