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About the job
Job summary
From the design and development of policies to the delivery of services supporting work, welfare, pensions and child maintenance, DWP is the Governments largest department.
People are at the very heart of what we do. We ensure disabled people can live more independent lives; help tackle poverty and homelessness; provide a financial foundation for a secure old age; and support families ensuring children can fulfil their potential.
DWP has the largest commercial estate in government and our team is committed to being smaller, greener and better helping people to work, grow and thrive. Our estate provides accommodation for colleagues who support millions of daily customer interactions in Jobcentres and Health Assessment centres, back of house offices delivering frontline services and hub sites housing expert functions such as Policy, Finance, Digital and HR.
The DWP Estates function ensures the smooth and efficient operation of this network on a day-to-day basis. We manage a private sector supply chain that delivers essential services such as security guarding, maintenance, property and leasehold, construction, cleaning and facilities management. Many of these services are business critical and we cannot safely open our offices without them.
Our ambitions are to:
- Transition to a smaller, more affordable, and adaptable estate
- Invest in improving DWPs buildings and infrastructure, conducted mainly through an extensive programme of planned replacement works
- Meet our agreed Government Greening Commitments – creating a culture where sustainability is embedded
- Expertly deliver cost effective services
- Create a professional working culture that is best in class across the Government Property world.
There is no better time to join us as we transform our estate and make our buildings fit for the future.
The Space Planning team works from project inception through to post occupancy evaluation to ensure that the DWPs property portfolio is aspirational in its approach to design, inclusivity, and sustainability.
This role will work with the Space Planning Team Lead to manage a small team of space planners that will enable the DWP to use space more efficiently and effectively, as well as raising the standards of the DWP workplace. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to play a vital role within an influential team within DWP.
Job description
Government Property Profession Career Framework (Link)
This role sits within the following:
- Job Family Technical Specialisms & Assurance
- Core Role – Design
- Level – Practitioner
Key accountabilities
- Work with key stakeholders to obtain and help develop project briefs. Ensure available drawings are an accurate representation of each building. Use DWP space modelling tools and liaise with the wider Design Standards Team architects to prepare layout plans in CAD software.
- Ensure layout information is accurately captured on the Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM) system.
- Classify space, within the CAFM system, according to pertinent standards (such as the International Property Measurement Standards) to support effective space management.
- Prepare management reports as required on such things as analysis of space usage across buildings in comparison with space modelling tools. Continue to improve the quality of the underlying data to support planning activities.
- Floor layouts to include furniture, fixtures and equipment using computer aided design software with a focus on smart working principles as described in PAS3000 (Publicly Available Specification).
- Engaging with suppliers to be fully informed of new products and innovations that could benefit the DWP.
- Providing timely direction and technical advice to external designers and supply chain partners to ensure the developing proposals meet quality standards and the operational requirements of the DWP.
- Reviewing and commenting on floor plans and test fits at key project stages and approving compliance with, or justifiable derogations, from the space standards for all Real Estate projects.
- Carrying out post-occupancy evaluation and stakeholder engagement sessions, converting feedback into updates to the Design Standards documentation to capture problems, trends, or changes to space requirements.
- Management of supply chain partners, including scoping of services, working with suppliers to get a quality outcome, checking invoices, and training.
Person specification
Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience
- Previous appropriate experience in property related space planning, interior design, architecture, or similar design experience.
- Proven results and success in developing, planning, managing, and implementing workplace layout plans and space solutions within a dynamic environment.
- Experience of dealing with technical, legal, or regulatory design issues at a practical level.
- Experience in reviewing plans, space planning, building test fits and analysing/ commenting on RIBA stage reports. Candidate will need to have demonstrable CAD skills and knowledge of architectural drafting standards.
- Excellent organisational skills and the drive to reach decisions in a problem-solving atmosphere.
- Working knowledge of statutory processes, Building Regulations, British Standards, and an understanding of construction related UK legislation.
- Ability to use evidence alongside analytical thinking to make decisions and to present in a clear and concise style varying the presentation according to the target audience.
- Ability to work collaboratively with mixed teams, consultants, and stakeholders.
- Able to analyse data and determine utilisation and other space management metrics.
- Good working knowledge of space management computer applications, working knowledge of space utilisation and facilities management tools.
Qualifications/professional memberships
Desirable
- Working towards membership of the IWFM, RICS, RIBA or other appropriate body with a preference if already held.
- Any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
- 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%
This role is suitable for a hybrid working arrangement, a type of flexible working arrangement, blending a combination of all workplace options (including home) with an office identified as a base and which remains the contractual place of work. Hybrid working means an employee working part of the week in their DWP office and, part of the week from home.
Hybrid workers will spend a minimum of 40% of their time in the office over a four-week period. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. This means that colleagues experiences of hybrid working will differ. Also, any employees experience of hybrid working could change over time as role requirements and possibly personal circumstances change.
Appointments may be made to candidates in merit order based on location preferences
Things you need to know
Selection process details
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STAGE 1 – APPLICATION & SIFT As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement of no more than 1000 words against the essential criteria as outlined above. You will also be asked to provide a short CV. Your CV should be fairly short and just evidence very brief details of your work history and experience. Please do not submit a speculative application where you do not meet at least 50% of the essential criteria as these applications will be unsuccessful. Do not include Behaviour examples within your application as these will not be assessed in the sift and will only be used at interview stage. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. There will be an initial sift of applications based on the Personal Statement only, so please ensure you evidence how you meet the Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience requirement contained in the vacancy in this section. This will form a short list for interview. STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake a single virtual video interview. The interview will follow a blended approach which will help us assess candidates Behaviours and Strengths. Currently the sift is scheduled to take place w/c 11 September 2023 and interview dates will be w/c 25 September 2023. Interviews are scheduled to take place virtually and dates are subject to change. Presentation If invited to interview you will be required to do a 5 minute presentation at the start of your interview. Details of the presentation and what is required will be supplied as part of the invite to interview. Further Information Find out more about Working for DWP A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Any move to DWP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk 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 dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants 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 out internal fraud against government. The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action. Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP’s terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. Reasonable Adjustment At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce. We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via DWPrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Complete the Reasonable Adjustments section in the Additional requirements page 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 access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional. If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section. |
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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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 : Peter Faulkner
- Email : peter.faulkner@dwp.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dwprecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.
