About this role
Job summary
Are you looking for a role where you can grow your pensions career whilst helping to shape and support one of the UK's largest public sector pension schemes?
We're looking for a Technical Consultant to join our NHS Pensions Technical Consultancy Team on a Band 5 to Band 6 progression pathway. This is an exciting opportunity to build specialist expertise, work on complex technical matters and play a key role in supporting the administration of the NHS Pension Scheme.
As a Technical Consultant, you'll provide expert guidance on NHS Pension Scheme regulations and wider UK pensions legislation. You'll investigate complex cases, support colleagues with coaching and mentoring, contribute to policy and legislative changes, and work with a range of internal and external stakeholders. You'll be supported to develop your skills and progress through the career framework as your knowledge and experience grow.
What do we offer?
o Hybrid working - offering flexibility to work predominantly from home with the opportunity to be office based should you prefer, or if business needs require it.o 27 days leave (increasing with length of service) plus 8 bank holidays.o Opportunities for developmento Active wellbeing and inclusion networkso Excellent pensiono Various salary sacrifice schemeso Employee Assistance programme, offering free 24/7 support for you and your loved oneso Access to a wide range of benefits and high street and online discounts
Main duties of the job
(This recruitment is using the current job description, please note - this job description is currently under review, and may be subject to change post recruitment)
As a Technical Consultant, you'll use your technical knowledge and analytical skills to support the effective administration of the NHS Pension Scheme. Key responsibilities include:
Providing technical expertise on NHS Pension Scheme regulations and UK pensions legislation. Investigating and resolving complex technical enquiries and complaints from customers and stakeholders. Analysing information, undertaking calculations and producing accurate technical responses. Monitoring and reviewing legislative developments and assessing their impact on pension administration. Creating and updating technical guidance, operational procedures and customer-facing communications. Supporting the development of scheme literature, newsletters, guidance documents and website content. Building relationships with teams, scheme employers and external stakeholders. Delivering coaching, mentoring and technical support to colleagues. Contributing to projects and service improvements across the Technical Consultancy Team. Supporting responses to dispute resolution cases and pensions-related investigations. Managing workloads effectively to meet service levels, statutory requirements and business priorities. Producing reports and technical information that support operational decision-making
About us
Here at the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), what we do matters.
We manage the NHS Pension scheme, process prescription payments and much more. Our services are used by NHS organisations, contractors and the public: we're proud to be part of something meaningful, that touches millions of lives.
We design our services around customer needs and place people at the heart of our organisation. That's why when you join us, you'll be empowered and supported to help your career grow.
As one of the UK's Best Big Companies to work for, we're connected to our values: Collaborative, Adventurous, Reliable and Energetic. We care about our people, our purpose, and your progress.
We strive to offer a fantastic colleague experience, where every colleague is heard, supported and respected. Wellbeing, diversity and inclusion is at the centre of this, and you can join our Lived Experience Networks who help us bring our authentic selves to work.
We're committed to being a flexible employer and we try to offer a working pattern that suits you where possible, through hybrid working, flexible hours and more.
Alongside a competitive salary with pay progression, we offer a people-centric benefits package, connecting you to the rewards and benefits you value most!
Ready to join us in delivering business service excellence to the NHS, helping people live longer, healthier lives? Apply today and see where the NHSBSA can take you.
We are people connected to care.
Job description Job responsibilities
1. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that they achieve all the service level agreements and statutory targets for deliverables that are their responsibility, whether this be this on a daily, monthly or annual basis.
2. The post holder will ensure, on a daily basis, that all of their work and time is logged and accounted within control logs that may be easily reported against and audited should the need arise.
3. To undertake daily horizon sweeping and understand the impact of changes (draft and enacted) to NHS Pension Scheme regulations and overriding pensions legislation.
4. The post holder will draft operational technical guides and produce draft changes to operational technical guides following an amending legislative change.
5. The post holder will support the Learning Academy, upon request, on a matter to which they are experienced.
6. Upon request, the post holder will provide operational coaching on NHS Pension Scheme legislative matters where they are experienced within the subject matter.
7. The post holder will, within receipt of all the necessary information and within the agreed internal SLA following receipt of such information, draft a TCT response to a technical referral from any source; be this in house or third party.
8. In support of the TCT Manager, the post holder will liaise directly with external bodies, such as (though not limited to): Her Majestys Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Her Majestys Treasury (HMT), Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Government Actuarys Department (GAD) on matters concerning NHS Pension Scheme Regulations and over-riding legislation. Where necessary the post holder will attend external meetings with those parties.
9. Upon the issue of draft or enacted legislation, or upon the issue of any relevant pensions related consultation, the post holder will demonstrate their understanding by reviewing the content, assessing the impact and collating the outcome into a formal draft report, that may be issued to the relevant parties within the NHSBSA to be used in the administration of the Scheme.
10. The post holder will, as required, draft articles for the monthly on-line technical magazine to be viewed by NHSBSA and Scheme employers.
11. The post holder will, upon request or as a result of an amending legislative change, draft technical material to be included in newsletters viewed by Scheme members and eligible non-Scheme members.
12. The post holder will, upon request or as a result of an amending legislative change, draft changes to the technical content of Scheme literature and website text. Where appropriate the post holder will create drafts of new Scheme literature and website text.
13. The post holder will be proactive in identifying areas of potential policy change brought about as a result of legislative amendments and new enactments and bringing this to the attention of a senior colleague. In support of the TCT Manager and, where necessary, the post holder will attend external meetings with Scheme employers and/or the Department of Health to further those discussions.
14. The post holder will participate in pensions projects; providing technical support and guidance where appropriate.
15. The post holder will, within the service level agreement and statutory timescales, draft a less complex response to an Internal Dispute Resolution 2 referral (and any subsequent Pensions Ombudsman investigations)
16. The post holder will create and draft Scheme employer administration guides and produce draft changes to Scheme employer administration guides following an amending legislative change.
17. In support of the TCT Manager, the post holder will assist in building stakeholder relationships on all matters concerning NHS Pension Scheme Regulations and overriding legislation that may affect our customers. Where necessary the post holder will attend external meetings with those parties.
18. The post holder will be responsible for their own objectives and in doing so will contribute towards meeting delivery of TCT objectives through effective performance. The post holder will lead by example showing good practice in all areas of performance.
19. The post holder will work with their peers to ensure delivery is seen as the overall team, not just their area.
20. The post holder will deliver a high level of personal productivity and accuracy over a range of technical consultancy team objectives.
21. The post holder is responsible for the training and mentoring of new and less experienced staff to ensure their performance is increased to allow them to achieve their performance goals.
22. The post holder is a Public Sector Pension Scheme technical expert and has knowledge of overriding legislation.
23. The post holder will work autonomously to manage own workload and make decisions in own work area.
24. The post holder will contribute to service improvement through networking and building effective working relationships with colleagues and customers.
25. The post holder will provide management information as requested in an accurate and timely manner.
26. The post holder will identify personal training needs and work with TCT Manager to establish personal objectives and contribute to their own ORO.
27. The post holder will be required to work on any aspect of the TCT objectives with moderate support to meet business priorities.
(This recruitment is using the current job description, please note - this job description is currently under review, and subject to change post recruitment.)
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
oGCSE Grade C passes in a minimum of 5 subjects including English (or equivalent) and Maths or equivalent work experience.
Desirable
oDegree level or equivalent in Customer Service or Business Administration (or equivalent). oPensions Management Institute Diploma - Module 101 - Retirement Provision Certificate.
Personal Qualities, Knowledge and Skills Essential
Ability to deliver technical training and support Ability to mentor individuals in a wide range of activities. Ability to understand documented complex technical guidance issued by Secretary of State, Government Actuary Department, HMRC, HMT, DWP and Department of Health Ability to create and draft technical guides from relevant pensions legislation and guidance. Able to communicate effectively at all levels and to a wide variety of audiences (colleagues, Scheme employers, Scheme members, Government Departments Able to deliver excellent customer service whilst meeting deadlines and targets. Able to prioritise own workload and work on own initiative Numeracy and analytical skills. Good organisational skills Strong time management and work prioritisation skills. Ability to identify implications of actions. Thrives on change and helps to drive changes into an established team Work on own initiative. Adaptable and Flexible Public Sector Pensions Administration working practices Proven ability to act as a technical expert in a Public Sector Pension Scheme Ability to interpret complex pension legislation and to in turn communicate those interpretations in a manner suitable to the audience Knowledge and understanding of UK overriding pensions legislation
Desirable
Awareness of Data Protection and Freedom of Information Issues. Experience of drafting correspondence. Experience of creating, designing and drafting technical guidance in layman's terms. Experience of supporting and developing colleagues.
Experience Essential
Significant experience in wide range of public sector pensions technical activity Ability to work within the Technical Consultancy Team with a moderate amount of training or support. Experience of working in a heavily regulated environment. Experience of working in a customer service focussed environment. Experience of dealing with internal and external customers on complex and contentious technical cases. Able to follow clear instructions to carry out complex and varied tasks and calculations Experience of handling varying customer enquiries. Microsoft packages
Desirable
Experience of drafting correspondence. Experience of creating, designing and drafting technical guidance in layman's terms. Experience of supporting and developing colleagues.
Employer details Employer name NHS Business Services Authority
Address Bickerstaff House, Bridge House, Stella House
Blackpool/Newcastle
FY1 3AH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://careers.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)