Summer Diversity Internship Programme Pilot

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in conjunction with Civil Service Resourcing (CSR) require external expertise to assist in provision of the Summer Diversity Internship Programme (SDIP). SDIP is managed by the CSR Fast Stream (FS) team and was launched by Cabinet Office more than ten years ago to put talented undergraduates and graduates who are from black, minority ethnic and low socio-economic backgrounds on a 6 to 9-week fully paid work placement in a government department. SDIP also offers a Coaching Programme as a follow-on, for SDIP interns interested in applying for the FS Graduate programme, designed to help prepare for the FS application process. This Contract is a One (1) year pilot to determine the effectiveness of the Coaching Programme and develop recommendations for the future of the Coaching Programme in achieving VfM. The intention is to award to a single supplier.

The maximum budget for this pilot is £100K, 25% of the available budget will be paid on a performance basis

The Contractor must have the expertise, specialist coaching and development skills specific to the needs of our target groups: 1. BAME, 2. Low socio-economic, 3. Disabled

SDIP requirements include, but are not limited to

• Needs Assessments: Contractor to conduct ongoing needs assessment on each participant identifying individual personal developmental needs. The Contractor will conduct F2F information session to better understand the participant:
• Provide comprehensive feedback on the coaching programme through intensive 1-to-1 sessions, ongoing development support interventions as interims go through the FS assessment process
• Design/development of ‘hands on’ practice in selection methods/exercises including psychometric tests used by the majority of graduate recruiters to increase knowledge/ understanding of assessment centre process and competencies including - GROUP SESSION 1 – ON-LINE TESTS - GROUP SESSION 2 – E-TRAY - GROUP SESSION 3 – ASSESSMENT CENTRE
• Identify various activities to enthuse/motivate graduates to increase their knowledge/ learning and maintain their motivation for FS
• Provide insight/awareness of diversity issues, transform negative perceptions/stereotypes and instil confidence in undergraduates/graduates to increase aspirations
• Carry out evaluation with recommendations for participation improvement and/or innovative improvement opportunities where appropriate
• Work in partnership with CSR to implement the programme and modify the development/coaching programme following feedback
• As added value the Contractor will consider how to continue to support graduates on the programme for the first 6-12 months, possibly extending the service to new graduates on the FS and providing support to departments. If an agreed programme of work arises from this, it will be let as a separate tender exercise