The government is looking for a new director of the Office for Civil Society, part of the Department Culture Media and Sport, who will “develop a new direction”. 

Mark Fisher, who held the role from 2014 until June this year, has moved to the Cabinet Office as director general. DCMS’s finance director, David Rossington, currently holds the role in an interim capacity. 

The Office for Civil Society was moved from the Cabinet Office to DCMS last year. The director is the most senior civil servant at the OCS and will have responsibility for the inclusive economy unit, social action team, governance and programmes, youth programmes and sector support. They will report to Helen Judge, the director general for performance and strategy at DCMS. 

The OCS has a budget of £350m per year and 90 staff. 

In an online advert, the government says the new post holder will be tasked with developing a “new direction for work on civil society across government, supporting the transition of the National Citizen Service (NCS) to a public body, providing strong stewardship of the Big Lottery Fund, and putting in place a strong relationship with the Charity Commission”.

The salary for the role is given as circa £90,000. According to the DCMS annual report, Fisher’s salary in 2016/17 was between £125,000 and £130,000. 

The closing date for applications is 21 August and final panel interviews are scheduled to take place in the week commencing 25 September.