DHSC reopens search for next second perm sec

Department is advertising for Shona Dunn's replacement weeks after first recruitment round closed
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The Department of Health and Social Care has relaunched recruitment for its second permanent secretary, after a search a few months ago proved unsuccessful.

The department first advertised the job – which will soon be vacated by Shona Dunn, who is leaving to become chief executive at St John Ambulance next month – in May.

However, a second advert for the post is now live, with applications closing on 26 August.

DHSC is offering a salary of between £152,000 and £170,000 for its next second perm sec, who will act as “the broad deputy for the head of department on all departmental matters”, according to the advert.

The second perm sec will be the lead adviser to the health secretary on “cross-cutting issues, delivery of key manifesto commitments, strategic finance/performance in the NHS, and the effective functioning and governance of the department and its arm’s-length bodies”, the advert says.

The successful candidate will sit on DHSC's board and executive committee. They will act as the lead perm sec on the department's audit and risk committee and chair its performance and risk committee and people committee.

The job advert notes that Dunn is responsible for DHSC's strategy, finance and people issues, as well as the operation of the department – but says there "may be some flexibility" in responsibilities are divided based on the successful candidate's experience and skillset.

CSW has asked DHSC for a comment.

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