We’re delighted to be running our Return to Work Programme once again after a successful pilot last year.
Starting in September 2019, this six-month programme is aimed at anyone who’s taken a career break of a year or more and who wants to re-immerse themselves back into professional life.
We’re delighted to be running our Return to Work Programme once again after a successful pilot last year.
Starting in September 2019, this six-month programme is aimed at anyone who’s taken a career break of a year or more and who wants to re-immerse themselves back into professional life.
Applications are now closed for all except two roles on our Return to Work programme. Applications remain open until the 10thJune 2019 for:
Your CV
Don’t worry about it being out of date – we’ll also ask you for a personal statement, so we can better understand why you’ve taken a break from work, what motivates you, and where you see your career heading in future.
“To be a truly competitive and resilient company through energy transition, we must attract and retain the very best talent, from all walks of life and all backgrounds. This programme is about accessing untapped talent; ensuring we leverage their experience, capability and help them unlock their potential.”
Why we’ve launched this programme
At Shell, we believe we can power progress together if we have a culture where different perspectives are encouraged and considered. Our success in shaping the global future of energy depends on tapping into the broadest possible range of talent.
Right from the top, there’s a firmly held view at Shell that diversity isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s at the very heart of the way we work: it enriches our culture, informs our ideas and shapes the connections we make, all over the world.
Through engaging work that fits around your life, we’ll help you sharpen your skills, refresh your knowledge and renew your confidence – by the end of the programme, you’ll be well prepared to take your career to the next level.
Who we’re looking for
This opportunity is aimed at women and men of all ages, from all backgrounds, who have taken time out of work for at least the last twelve months. Perhaps you’ve been raising a family or caring for someone. Maybe you’ve put your career on hold to deal with a personal setback.
Now, although you may still have personal commitments to juggle, you feel ready to re-establish your career. You’re looking for an engaging role that fits your personal commitments and befits your professional experience.
We’re looking for people who’ve already made a positive start to their careers following graduation and who want to make the most of their professional expertise or leadership potential.
You’ll need to be eligible to work in the UK from September 2019 to March 2020, available to join us in the office for the equivalent of three days a week and have knowledge, skills and experience that align to at least one of the disciplines participating including:
How it works
The Return to Work programme starts on 16th September 2019 and lasts for six months until 13th March 2020. You’ll be part of a cohort of fellow returners, in one of the following business areas:
You’ll be engaged as a contractor (through a preferred agency) for the duration of the six month programme but wherever you join us, you’ll be working on live projects that and have a real impact on our bottom line.
Highly Supportive
Your manager will be a valuable source of support from start to finish. Before the project, you’ll meet up to discuss your goals, your preferred way of working, and set outcomes. Throughout the programme, they’ll provide on-the-job coaching, regular check-ins to feedback how you’re doing, and a mid-term and end-of-programme review.
You’ll also have a mentor – someone from your field of professional expertise – and a buddy to help you get to know Shell. A key support feature of Shell’s programme is the opportunity to receive one-to-one coaching and group career coaching from our external providers Inclusivity. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to build your contacts and explore your priorities too – whether at monthly Lunch & Learn sessions, get-togethers with your cohort, in meetings with country leadership or at any number of our diverse networking events.
Our promise to you
There are many of us already working here so we understand the concerns you may have and the hurdles you may face.
Here’s what you can expect from us:
Salesforce Functional Consultant
(EF12) Contract / Part-time
London Head Office
Are you a career Returner with significant experience as a Salesforce expert?
This is an exciting opportunity for you to join the Shell Centre of Excellence team that supports the Salesforce application. Key duties will be:
This is a newly created role and Shell looks forward to welcoming the successful Returner to their team.
Health, Safety, Security & Environmental (HSSE) Manager
(EF8) Contract / Part-time
London Head Office
This is a terrific opportunity for a HSSE specialist who enjoys strategic thinking and process improvement. The Shipping & Maritime function sits within Trading & Supply, which is a global business in Shell’s Downstream portfolio. This role will be located in our main office hub in central London, within the HSSE Governance & Assurance team.
The Project Manager will work to develop a clear strategy, identify which projects provide greatest safety performance impact, develop programme content and deliver programmes into the Maritime community.
Specific project deliverables will include:
The successful Returner will have:
Competence and Training Specialist
(EF3) Contract / Part-time
Aberdeen
This is an opportunity for an experienced competence and training professional to join Shell’s competence and capability team. This team is responsible for ensuring individuals working on offshore and onshore facilities are developed to the required competence level demanded by their roles through implementation and application of a robust competence management and assurance process.
The project you will undertake is titled “Competence Management System Simplification”. You will be working within a team to review and simplify current competence management system in line with UK Safety Regulations. This include training, competence development, assessment, verification, audit and management review process for production operations and maintenance staff.
Specific deliverables will include:
The successful Returner will have:
You can apply for the programme by providing an up to date CV and covering letter using the following link. All applications must be submitted to our recruitment partner Inclusivity at the following link. Any submissions received after 10thJune will not be considered.
We’ll review all applications and contact our preferred candidates to arrange an initial interview with a recruiter. Next, there’s a second interview, probably in person with the line manager. We’re aiming to communicate the outcome to successful candidates during July.
To apply for any role in the programme you will need to have:
Please read our FAQs to answer any questions you may have.
What is a Return to Work programme and why are the Shell Group of Companies in the UK (Shell) running it?
We are running our UK Return to Work Programme for 2019/2020 (following the success of the pilot programme last year) to access a wider pool of talent and offer opportunities to people in the communities in which we work; enabling them to return to a professional environment so they can consider if a future in Shell or the wider industry could be right for them and we can explore new ways of attracting talent to our business.
We recognise that one size doesn’t fit all and that people who have had time out of the workplace will need different types of support. We will offer the successful participants the opportunity to access on the job learning, development activities and tailor parts of their programme to their needs i.e. working patterns, self-study modules and how they develop their networks.
Why is the programme available only to people who have taken at least a year out of the workforce?
We recognise that at times it can be challenging for people who have taken a career break to recommence work after a period out and to successfully compete. We also recognise the capabilities and potential of people that have taken a career break may be beneficial in our business.
For these reasons the programme has been designed to offer people the opportunity to reignite their careers with tailored projects and support.
When does the programme start?
The Return to Work programme starts 16th September 2019 and lasts for 6 months until 13th March 2020. There will be a day’s onboarding programme for those joining mid-September 2019.
What can I expect to learn?
You can expect to enhance and develop your skills, knowledge, and experience in a multi-dimensional global energy group of companies whilst delivering real work on real projects that have a bottom-line business impact. Through 1:1 coaching with our external coaching partner you will have the opportunity to reflect on where you want the next step of your career to take you and build your own career development plan to help accelerate your return to work.
How many roles are being offered?
There are 10 programme roles (lasting for 6 months) being offered across our UK businesses in functional areas and locations:
Will I be required to travel?
Travel between offices locally may be required from time to time. If we need you to travel beyond your normal location of work, we’d discuss this with you in advance.
How will my performance be assessed?
Before commencing your Return to Work Programme you will have the opportunity to meet with your manager, discuss your project, agree your ways of working, get real clarity on your deliverables and discuss your desired learning objectives. Your performance will be assessed by your manager against the agreed deliverables, as well as the behaviours you exhibit in doing so.
You will have regular check-ins with your manager for coaching and support, as well as a mid-term and end-of-programme discussions to help you in the next step of your career.
Will I be able to apply for permanent roles at Shell during my time on the 6-month programme?
All internal job vacancies are posted on an online internal portal. As you will be engaged as a Contractor via one of our recruitment agencies (and are not an employee of any Shell Group company) for the duration of the programme, you will not have access to the portal as vacancies posted there are intended to be filled by internal Shell employees.
However, you will be able to access information regarding suitable Shell vacancies for the relevant location through your business sponsor/supervisor on request. Your manager, sponsor and buddies may talk to you about roles they see coming up at the end of your programme to the extent any such roles may be available and appropriate for you.
We also encourage you to apply for roles through www.shell.com if the role has been advertised externally.
This will be further outlined on the onset of the programme.
Who can apply for the programme and what are the eligibility criteria for applicants?
To apply for any role in the programme, you will need to have:
What is a career break?
In order to be eligible for the programme, you must have taken a career break of 12 months or more immediately preceding the date the programme applications opened (15 April 2019). Shell defines a career break as a period during which you have been unemployed and not otherwise engaged to provide paid work/services. In the event you are unsure on this or have any questions, please contact out recruitment partner Inclusivity.
How will Shell determine people have taken a period of 12 months or more off work?
Our recruitment partner, Inclusivity will review CVs submitted to understand when your current career break commenced to determine your eligibility for the programme. We encourage you to clearly indicate when your career break started.
The programme is aimed at experienced professionals who are currently on an extended career break, of 12 months or more, for any reason and seeking to return to the workplace.
How can I apply for the programme?
You can apply for the programme by providing an up to date CV and covering letter using the following link. All applications must be submitted to our recruitment partner Inclusivity at the following link. Any submissions received after 10th June will not be considered.
What happens after I apply?
We will review all applications and be in touch with those whose applications best align with the requirements of the projects and roles available to progress to first stage phone interview. The second stage will be an interview, in person if possible, with the hiring manager.
By when will I know if I have a place on the programme?
We aim to communicate the outcome to successful candidates during the beginning of July.
Will I be able to claim interview travel expenses or relocation expenses?
We will not cover any interview travel expenses or relocation expenses during the programme application and commencement.
Who are Inclusivity and how do they support?
Inclusivity are specialists in Returnships and Returner opportunities and support in educating and upskilling both the partner organisation and Returner candidates, ensuring a ‘human’ touch is not lost during the process.
On the Shell programme, Inclusivity support on recruitment, onboarding and programme coaching.
Find more information at Inclusivity.
What support will I receive?
All participants in the programme will receive:
In addition to the above you will be able to participate in and join events run by our UK networks including our Asian, African & Caribbean, Disability, Experience Hire, Gender Balance, Graduate, Future Energies, Ibero-America, Parenting and our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender networks.
What kind of flexible work patterns will be available?
All roles in the programme are a minimum of an equivalent of three (3) days a week or more from the office; however, we are open to discussing the needs of individuals to find arrangements that work for all parties. This could be staggering start or end times, working from home from time to time, working various patterns over the six-month programme or other means of working flexibly either formally or informally.
Candidates are encouraged to request flexibility if this would be of interest. If you would like to work flexibly, we recommend you speak with our recruitment partner to discuss your needs and how best this could potentially be accommodated.
What is and how can I use Bright Horizons?
All individuals participating in the Return to Work programme will be given access to some of the services provided by Bright Horizons during your time on the Programme. Bright Horizons will provide access to specialist support from an expert who can discuss your individual care needs, offer advice, and find care for your family circumstances, be that for care of an elderly relative or child.
You will also receive exclusive discounts against child and elder care service, as well as preferred access and waived registration fees at Bright Horizons nurseries.
Are former Shell Employees able to apply?
Individuals who resigned from Shell employment for personal or professional reasons will be able to apply for the programme in line with the Shell rehiring policy. In the event you are unsure please contact out recruitment partner Inclusivity.
On what terms will I be working for Shell?
All participants in the programme will be engaged as Contractors for the duration of the programme via one of our recruitment agencies and rewarded in line with our contractor management standards. Payments to participants for work performed will be paid by the agency. Participants will not be employed by any Shell Group Company.
Shell will pay an agreed contractor day rate to the agency engaging the participant to compensate for work provided, aligned with the market rate for the role they will be performing. These day rates will include provision for leave, pension and benefits in line with the applicable legislation.
I have holiday booked during the programme, can I still apply?
Yes, you can still apply. If you have any holiday pre-booked please inform our partner, Inclusivity, on application so they can make a note of this. This will not impact your application; rather allow the line manager to look at how best to structure your work.
Over the six months am I allowed to take holidays?
Yes. We encourage all staff to take regular breaks. You will be requested to give as much notice as possible to your manager in advance of any holiday.