Operational Delivery Officer
Occupation overview
Operational Delivery Officers have the vital job of keeping the country running. They make sure that citizens get the services and protection they need, and help people understand what is available and what they need to do to comply with the rules. Operational Delivery Officers make a difference every day to the lives of millions of people. They do hundreds of jobs in most departments and agencies in central government. They also work in local government, delivering services for towns, cities, boroughs or counties. This apprenticeship will give you great development opportunities to equip you to be an internationally-recognised professional in the part of the Civil Service that really makes things happen for customers and businesses.
A career in operational delivery is varied and involves working on the front line in different public-facing environments. You will be dealing with different types of customers and delivering a range of public services, but the skills and behaviours you need will be the same whatever you do. Operational Delivery Officer roles include bringing data and evidence together, and making sure it is correct. You may also be considering applications, analysing information and making decisions. Duties will depend on who the public service employer is and what they are responsible for: you could find yourself working in any occupational delivery area of central or local government.
Skills
Over the course of your apprenticeship you will develop the following skills:
Customer service Delivering services to a wide range of customers, including those most in need and vulnerable, recognising that some customers will need extra support to access and use services. You will be providing a professional service at the right time and in a nonjudgmental way. This includes carrying out calculations based on information received and giving accurate advice and guidance to help citizens understand what they need to do.
Communicating effectively: Understanding the importance of effective communication in the workplace and communicating effectively in different situations and communicating in the best way to meet the needs of different audiences. This includes questioning and listening when carrying out interviews or investigations, and communicating in a clear and concise way using letters, e-mails or social media, over the phone, or face-to-face.
Working together: Working well with your team, colleagues and others and developing productive working relationships to achieve individual, team and business results.
Gathering and managing information: Complying with data protection principles. Accurately reviewing, validating, processing and storing information from a range of sources and accurately using it to meet customers’ needs in a way they find clear and easy to understand. You may be analysing information for discrepancies, potential fraud or non-compliance. This could also support interviews and investigations.
Negotiating and influencing: Using tact and diplomacy to negotiate with individuals or businesses to ensure they comply with the rules, and reaching solutions that suit all parties and are right for the business.
Problem solving and decision making: Identifying problems quickly and using a range of techniques to solve them and stop them happening again. This includes preventing a customer having to contact us a number of times.
Tools and equipment: Using IT systems to manage, share and store information. This includes using office equipment appropriately and reporting poor performance of services you use to do your job.
Professionalism, selfmanagement and awareness: Taking responsibility for your own actions. This includes being self-motivated, and planning work to make sure that tasks are completed and deadlines met.
Knowledge
To complete this apprenticeship, you will be required to develop your knowledge of the following areas:
Legislation, policies and procedures: Understanding the principles, practices, regulations and law in your own area of operational delivery, and how it is applied and the effect it has, from supporting the needs of the most vulnerable individuals to keeping the UK’s borders secure.
Customers: Understanding the diverse range of customers and communities, and their needs, rights and expectations, from individuals to the biggest multi-national businesses.
Range of services: Having an appreciation of the range of public services available that are delivered across government, from ensuring money is available to fund public services to making payments to pensioners.
Behaviours
Changing and improving Being open to change. This includes being creative in supporting continuous improvement or changes to systems or processes that affect the way you do your job.
Making effective decisions Having sound judgement. This includes making decisions about the relevance, quality and accuracy of the information available to you and using and sharing it appropriately.
Leading and communicating: Leading by example. This includes being even-handed, supportive, and not letting personal opinions override business needs, and communicating professionally, openly and honestly
Collaborating and partnering Working collaboratively and building professional relationships with colleagues. This includes working as part of a team and developing contacts so you can support each other
Building capability for all Learning and building your own knowledge and skills, and developing the mindset and ways of working to continually improve
Managing a quality service Delivering a quality service. This includes ‘going the extra mile’, and showing an awareness of different customer needs (for example, those with disabilities)
Delivering at pace Delivering at pace, working to agreed goals and activities, and responding to challenges constructively, for example managing time well and thinking positively
Entry Requirements
Age 16 and over.
Duration
12 – 18 months
Professional Qualifications / Recognition
Level 3 apprenticeship.
Apprentices must achieve:
A Level 2 Award in Operational Delivery (Principles). This allows learners to develop the knowledge required for employment and/or career progression within Operational Delivery. The qualification includes units on principles of working in operational delivery, providing customer service, equality and diversity
A Level 3 Certificate in Operation Delivery (Advanced). This allows learners to develop the knowledge required for employment and/or career progression within Operational Delivery. The qualification includes units on working in operational delivery, providing customer service, managing team performance, operational delivery interviews and visits.
Originally published on Gov.uk, this information has been re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence.
";