E19 Job Grading

Background

We have grades to show the level and weight of every job in the organisation (no matter what the particular function or geographical location) instead of using lengthy descriptors.

They ensure that we meet our legal obligations regarding equal pay for work of equal value and that there is a clear link between pay and job weight.

The grading system allows for clearly defined levels of responsibility among individual posts and so contributes to better team understanding and working.

Grading in DFID is based on the Cabinet Office Job Evaluation and Grading Support (JEGS) methodology.

Job Grading guidelines have been developed to enable departments to take their own decisions on grading of jobs rather than resorting to a formal JEGS exercise.

Compliance Tasks

1. Directors have overall responsibility to determine divisional arrangements for identifying the right grade for a post, or a group of posts

Task assigned to: Director

2. In the case of new posts or where the proposal is to downgrade existing posts, departments will be free to decide at which level these decisions should be taken

Task assigned to: Director, Head of Department, Head of Overseas Office

3. In the case of upgrading an existing post, while line managers and post holders will have the opportunity to contribute to the grading process, the following authority from within the Division must be provided:
Will be authorised by:

  • Upgrades from C2 to C1 will be authorised by A2(L) / A2
  • Upgrades from C1 to B2 will be authorised by A2
  • Upgrades from B2 to B1 will be authorised by Head of Department
  • Upgrades from B1 to A2(L) will be authorised by Head of Department
  • Upgrades from A2(L) to A2 will be authorised by Head of Department
  • Upgrades from A2 to A1 will be authorised by Director

Task assigned to: Head of Department, Head of Overseas Office, Line Manager

4. Directors are also required to confirm, in their annual statements on the Personal Responsibility Plans (PRP), that all posts in their commands conform to the standards set out in this guidance. 

Task assigned to: Director

Risks of non-compliance

  • Inability of DFID to meet its targets, and for teams to operate effectively
  • Potential equal pay claims against the Department and financial losses due to incorrect grading
  • Legal challenge to DFID for acting incompatibly with the 1998 Human Rights Act (HRA).
Last updated: 03 Oct 2011