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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
Defra Group Property (DgP) is a leader in Property across Government. Defra chairs the Cross Government Land group and is about to deliver a major refresh to our property strategy that will enable a smaller, better and greener estate that supports our operational delivery into the long term. In addition, our operating model is changing to align to our ambitious Workplace & FM24 Programme which will change how we delivery change across the estate.
Within Defra Group Property, The Property Programmes Team are recruiting a Head of Delivery, who will report through to the Deputy Director of Property Programmes. The role will be responsible for the strategic leadership and management of the delivery of a number of property programmes. You will be responsible for direct line management of up to 3 Programme Managers and the indirect line management of around 15 Project Manager and contingent workers when required. The role will be the key property lead, working with a number of other property experts both within Defra and external delivery partners.
You will join the Property Programmes Leadership Team, along with the Deputy Director, the Head of Programme Governance & Support and the existing Head of Delivery.
Job description
The primary purpose of the Head of Delivery post is to:
- Provide strategic leadership and management support to the Deputy Director to ensure that the Property Programmes portfolio aligns to the business needs of the Defra Group and its partner organisations.
- Be a visible leader, providing support and expert guidance to the Property Programmes team and wider across Defra Group Property.
- Ensure that programmes and projects are developed and delivered in line with best practise in delivery standards, governance and assurance frameworks.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
- Have a genuine passion for property.
- Be a visible leader.
- In partnership with Asset Management and Portfolio Planning, manage demand that builds a programme of projects to promote workplace efficiency / space optimisation in support of the strategic portfolio plan.
- Ensure frameworks and processes are in place to support appropriate and accurate input to demand management and business case approvals.
- Partner with or ensure capability of a Programme/Project Management Office function to ensure accurate project and resource monitoring plus accurate reporting.
- Exhibit a complete understanding of governance policies and procedures, and responsible for ensuring governance policies and procedures are adhered to across all functional responsibility.
- Ensure that projects are procured to the appropriate professional, technical and quality standards.
- Liaise with key internal functions and partners (eg IT, Commerical, HR and Legal departments) to facilitate, manage and coordinate the full collaboration and resource required to ensure the end to end delivery. Ensuring high quality within agreed and contracted timescales.
- Take overall responsibility for ensuring contractual obligations related to the construction/building project are managed and fulfilled.
- Interact regularly with key senior stakeholders and customers, to ensure that goals and objectives are established and achieved. Develop and implement action plans to correct variances. Anticipate and respond to the customer needs and concerns.
- Demonstrate the ability to identify and manage complex portfolio risks, develop risk mitigation and contingency plans, and implement action plans to reduce or eliminate project risks.
- Oversee the development of the business case, alignment with senior stakeholders and agreement through Senior Leadership Boards and/or the appropriate governance and assurance.
- Ensuring the relevant areas of property management throughout the property life cycle support the Greening Government commitments concerning sustainability.
- Oversee the management of budgets and expenditure against delivery, realising benefits as programmes progress.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
You will need to demonstrate the following at application and interview:
- Extensive experience leading complex and large-scale property projects and programmes.
- Experience of working in a multi-client service organisation in a relevant field.
- Ability to lead and influence senior stakeholders, including relationships at Director and Executive Committee/Boardroom level.
- A successful track record in construction/refurbishment project management against set delivery objectives.
- Proficient in the principles, methods, techniques and tools for the preparation and monitoring of budgets to minimise costs and ensure cost effectiveness.
- Excellent change management leadership skills and experience of supporting an organisation through substantial change.
- Excellent knowledge and experience of Government Corporate Real Estate including the role of Government Property Agency and the Office for Government Property.
Qualifications
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Property Programme & Project Management
- Property Professional Expertise
Benefits
£16,022 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Blended working
Defra operates a blended working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.
Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. There is flexibility to split the working week, spending minimum of 40-60% in the workplace, unless exceptional circumstances apply and/or you are a contractual home worker.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a CV and complete a 500 word personal statement.
Please outline your experience with reference to the essential criteria detailed in the advertisement and tell us what makes you the ideal candidate for the role. Please also talk about your motivation for applying for this role and what you can bring to the team and the department.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form
After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Work Strengths Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.
Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests and application is 23:55 on Monday 16th October 2023. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.
Do not leave completing the tests until the last minute in case you experience any access or technical issues. There may not be technical support available after business hours and after 2pm on the closing date of 16th October 2023.
While the tests should work on most operating systems and modern browsers with a good internet connection, we cannot guarantee that every combination will work. At the beginning, the test will check which browser you are using, and alert you if it is likely to be incompatible.
It is highly recommended that you complete the online tests on a desktop computer, not a mobile phone or tablet.
Please note that online tests associated with this vacancy are not subject to time limits. Click https://www.gov.uk/guidance/reasonable-adjustments-for-online-tests-a-candidate-guide for test guidance
Sift
Sift will take place w/c 23rd October 2023. Should a large number of successful applications be received, there will be an initial sift assessing the Personal Statement. Those who pass the initial sift will either be progressed to a full sift or straight to interview.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Experience, Behaviours, Technical knowledge and Strengths. The behaviours are as follows:
In the interview, Experience will be assessed through a pre-prepared presentation. The presentation details will be sent to you with the invitation to interview from Civil Service Jobs.
Interviews will take place w/c 30th October or 6th November 2023. Please note that these dates may be subject to change.
Further Information
Location
Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Candidates applying for this role will be based at one of the Defra hubs as advertised.
For information, our core Defra hub locations are:
- York the Kings Pool;
- Newcastle Lancaster House;
- Bristol Horizon House (Please note that space at this office is limited and it may not be possible for all Policy roles to be recruited to this location);
- London 2 Marsham Street.
Internal (core Defra) employees can apply for this role and choose to remain in their current location or to be based in one of the advertised Defra hub locations. All other applicants will be based in one of the advertised Defra hub locations. Defra continues to support a blended working model and candidates are currently expected to attend their office base for 40-60% of the week. Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.
Defra continues to support a blended working model and candidates are currently expected to attend their office base for 40-60% of the week. Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.
A higher level of clearance such as CTC (Counter Terrorist Check) will be required for any candidates based at 2 Marsham Street, London.
Full time
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and
you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Near Misses
Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions within Defra which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor, and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Please note tests on this vacancy are timed, therefore if due to the need for a reasonable adjustment such as additional time contact us as below.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
● Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
● Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirementspage of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need
further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonestly had their employment continued. Any applicant details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying our internal fraud against Government.
Higher Security Clearance
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter.
All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
- Email : defrarecritment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission.