Partner Manager

at  Office for National Statistics

JOB SUMMARY

Social Surveys Directorate (SSD) is the largest Directorate in ONS, comprising of 2000 colleagues, including the field forces, split across four separate divisions.
Social Surveys Collection (SSC)
Social Surveys Research and Production (SSRP)
Social Surveys Transformation (SST)
Social Surveys Central Division (SSCD)
This post sits within Social Surveys Collection (SSC) which delivers many of Great Britain’s largest social surveys. Our purpose is to provide high quality data to underpin core National Statistics and the wider statistical system. While much of ONS relies on them for outputs and statistical bulletins, the statistics we generate also support research, policy development and decision-making across the public and private sectors. The Social Survey Collection Division is one of the largest divisions within ONS, with approximately 1,400 colleagues.
Underpinning all this work is our mission statement, which reads: “We are a flexible and diverse community of data collection experts, and our mission is to collect and deliver high quality, trusted social survey data from the public, utilising robust, sustainable and innovative processes to paint a picture of rapidly changing life in the United Kingdom.”

JOB DESCRIPTION

In this role you will have the opportunity to make a difference, positively driving forward the main stage roll out of the EO Coaching and Learning Partner roles.
Your direct reports – a mix of both Coaching and Learning Partners – will work within our Face-to-Face interviewing community undertaking collection activities, role modelling and demonstrating expected standards. The roles will deliver a partnership function supporting our people through coaching and coordination of Learning and Development (L&D) activities and ensuring development of high-quality guidance.
Partner roles will provide subject matter expertise support for colleagues within our collection communities and HQ teams. Your role will be to support the Partners from appointment. You will provide close line management, identify areas to upskill and oversee the completion of their training plan by monitoring progress and providing responsive and flexible ongoing support, ensuring colleagues can effectively access, self-manage, and progress enabling them to work primarily within one of our interview communities and in their partnership capacities.
You will validate post-holders’ performance, supporting and monitoring their ongoing competence in all facets of their roles and goals. You will support diary and workflow management enabling the post holders to meet colleague and respondent needs. You will play a vital role communicating with key stakeholders advocating the Partner roles and seeking continuous improvement. You will be offered, and are expected to undertake, learning and development activities identified to support you in performance of your role and to undertake personal development in support of continuous improvement, maintaining your own skills and current survey knowledge. This will include undertaking some survey data collection work to gain knowledge and competence in all aspects of the data collection Interviewer role.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

This role is to line manage colleagues appointed in EO Coaching and Learning Partner roles. It is anticipated you would line manage up to 14 direct reports, this number will vary based on geographic area and business need.

• Directly line manage a team of Coaching and Learning Partners (EOs)
• Effective monitoring of Coaching and Learning partner outputs, via available MI.
• To understand strategic and operational drivers and ensure Partners activities align to support, and add value to, the priorities within Social Survey Collection.
• Coordinate Partners inclusion in shaping the approach for operational induction/training and continuous improvement to support SSC operations to grow and adapt to change.
• Ensure Partners are deployed on high priority work, time is utilised effectively and driving appropriate work requests.
• Work collaboratively with HQ Operations management colleagues to embed a consistent approach to work, striving for continuous improvement.
• Using initiative and experience to identify practical and creative solutions to challenges faced by the EO roles, working with the HQ Operations management team to identify and embed solutions.
• Identify, understand and embed survey best practice with direct reports.
• Recognise and share best practice of Coaching and Learning Partners.
• Line management and support of a team of EO colleagues, regularly making contact to ensure wellbeing and review performance and attendance.
• Pro-actively report on risks and issues related to business continuity and the effectiveness of the Partner roles. Recommending alternative courses of action as appropriate
• Travel within a defined geographical area as required to carry out Partner Manager duties, requiring full use of a car with business insurance.
• Any other duties required to support any duties as required for the role.