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Salary
Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Property
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
You will be the Facilities Management (FM) Service Delivery and Workplace Experience Lead for DEFRA Group Property (DgP) Services and act as the key contact with the CEFAS Intelligent Client Function (ICF) team who are based at Lowestoft, but also have a significant operational site located in Weymouth.
You will provide the CEFAS ICF with the support, advice and the assurance that they require to deliver with confidence on their key business activities.
You will work collaboratively with the incumbent service provider and the CEFAS ICF to deliver excellent, safe and compliant workplace settings, which can be adapted to provide continued business support and enhance the experience of CEFAS staff as their needs change.
You will have line management responsibility for an FM Contractor Management & Service Delivery Assistant and you will work together to achieve this common purpose.
You will also have access to the wider DgP network to support your role, including building engineering services advice, legal compliance and standards guidance and assistance from DgPs commercial contract professionals.
Job description
Key Responsibilities:
- Understand the current and future workplace requirements of CEFAS and work with other DgP functions: Workspace Strategy, Design and Performance and the Property Programme Team, who design and deliver workplace projects and refurbishment to assist in delivering outstanding working environments
- Be the key interface with the incumbent service provider to ensure and facilitate a seamless facilities management service provision (as per agreed contractual deliverables)
- Provide contract assurance to CEFAS (via their ICF) that the workplaces occupied by their staff and visitors are legally compliant and safe
- Communicate with and manage local stakeholder expectations within the context of the contract deliverables, identifying and agreeing contract changes to the service provision (where applicable) through the contract process as controlled by our commercial colleagues
- Act as client under CDM Regulations to appoint the principal designer and principal contractor; working with CEFAS in preparing specifications and pre-construction information to enable the project programme team to deliver projects that enhance the CEFAS working environment
- Manage local issues or disputes between stakeholders and the FM service provider, using the governance arrangements and the partnership agreement to determine the desired service level. Track and control spend against available budget
- Support the sustainability networks to implement new initiatives, measures, practices and processes to reduce carbon emissions and waste
- Act as a site responsible officer for the CEFAS sites, managing health and safety, premises maintenance, Business Continuity arrangements, identifying any remedial actions and acting upon them. Develop and maintain a good working relationship with site Business Partners
Person specification
Previous experience essential to the role:
- Leadership of a team and performance management
- Working within a facilities management or building services environment, with customer facing interaction
- Experience of supporting agreed financial processes to maximise the quality and efficient delivery of contractual services
- Knowledge of health & safety legislation and compliant building systems
- Experience in managing projects, working effectively with a project team and key stakeholders to ensure a successful project completion
- Managing and analysing data and carrying out research to identify trends and inform decisions
- Providing advice on / implementing procedures and processes and recommending improvements and alternative courses of action
- Effective communication skills with a broad range of colleagues and stakeholders (orally and in writing), with competent IT skills
- Producing and inputting to reports
- Working on own initiative and prioritising workload to meet conflicting objectives
- Contract management knowledge, ideally with awareness or experience of NEC4 Facilities Management Contract (FMC) and ability to advise and direct contractors and suppliers on site
Licences
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£10,070 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 complete a CV, Personal Statement and Behaviour Statements.
Please outline, in your Personal Statement (500 word max) how you meet the essential experience/key criteria required for this role and why you are applying for the role.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using the Lead Behaviour, Managing a Quality Service and the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential role requirements within the application behaviour responses.
Sifting will take place w/c 18 September 2023
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on behaviours, experience and strengths.
Interviews are scheduled to take place w/c 2 October 2023, but may be subject to change.
Interview location to be confirmed.
Location and Travel
Some infrequent travel may be required (on average once a month) and occasional overnight stays (once or twice a year).
Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based at Lowestoft Office, Pakefield Road, LOWESTOFT, Suffolk, NR33 0HT.
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.
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 locations.
All other applicants will be based in the advertised 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.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
This post offers the successful candidate the opportunity to receive an additional pay supplement of £3,000 upon appointment (pro rata). In addition to this, there is a further pay supplement of up to £3,000 (pro rata) which may be offered based on candidate’s annual competency assessment.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take 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.
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 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.
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.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service 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.
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 offenses. 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.
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.
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).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Alan Hale
- Email : alan.hale1@defra.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
