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Job summary
We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates
At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.
Equality and Diversity – Department for Education
The role of the Technical and Cost Advisor is pivotal within the department in providing assurance that value for money is achieved in the spend of a multi-billion pound budget. The role is provided on school/college construction projects from inception to completion and is ideally suited to the skills set of a quantity surveyor or another construction/buildings professional with significant cost experience and skills within their role. The role will cover working on the Schools Rebuilding Programme (SRP), the Free Schools (FS) programme and the Further Education (FE) transformation programme.
Capital Directorate within the Department for Education – is a dynamic environment, delivering multibillion pound construction programmes, with involvement in the wider government industrial strategy to transform the UK construction sector; and undertaking over 1000 land transactions and consents annually. We are one of the largest public sector construction clients in England, with a capital budget of £23.5bn to 2020-21, and over 600 school building projects.
The SRP and FE programmes are condition led programmes to modernise the schools and colleges in the worst condition. They largely involve the rebuilding of blocks and refurbishments or the rebuilding of whole schools on existing sites and can entail phasing and the provision of temporary accommodation. The FS programme is a programme targeted at opening free schools across the country. They are often new schools on new sites, but can also be refurbishments and repurposing of existing buildings.
Job description
This role requires the candidate to take a holistic view of the project and ensure that we are making the best use of public funds whilst also delivering Capital school projects in a timely manner. We are looking for candidates that have a background in Quantity Surveying/Building Surveying and have good construction technical knowledge, along with experience and understanding of the importance of assurance, to ensure that we are achieving Value for Money.
The Technical and Cost team is a growing team spread across England that work remotely with travel to schools, construction sites, stakeholder offices and DfE office locations as required. The Technical and Cost Advisors work at pace, prioritising work whilst delivering a large number of projects.
The key functions of the role are:
Providing Technical & Cost challenge, assurance and sign-off at key project delivery Gateways throughout the project.
Managing and being the guardian of the project construction budget from inception to completion.
Appointing and performance managing a team of external consultants (Technical Advisors) in providing the role of Employers Representative for the delivery of Two-stage Design & Build contracts.
Interfacing with other teams within the department and with external stakeholders to provide expert technical and cost support as required.
Person specification
We are looking for someone with the following specific qualifications, knowledge and experience:
Your application and interview will be assessed against the following essential criteria:
- A minimum of 5 years strong post graduation construction cost / management experience or substantial construction experience.
- Experience of delivering construction projects from inception through to completion with particular interest in the monitoring of costs and technical aspects throughout each project.
- Experience of commission management for professional services and hands on ability to pro actively capture and manage data.
- Experience of cost management for design and build construction projects.
- In-depth working knowledge and understanding of various procurement methods, particularly two stage D&B procurement.
- Understanding of D&B and JCT Contracts and particularly the allocation of risk within them.
- Understanding of the technical issues associated with the delivery of buildings, particularly those associated with overcoming site specific challenges to development.
- Strong commercial, management and communication skills both written and oral.
- The ability to consider the bigger picture in terms of project delivery requirements across a portfolio of work.
- Candidates must have the ability to work with minimal supervision, on multiple tasks, under pressure.
Desirable criteria:
The following are desirable for the role:
- Membership at professional level of the RICS, CIOB, CIBSE or similar professional body
- Experience of working with and/or within local authorities, schools or academies in a construction project related environment.
- Experience of major infrastructure projects both pre and post contract.
- Experience of the delivery of schools capital projects through different forms of contract.
- Experience of using construction frameworks to deliver projects.
- Knowledge of DfE school building standards such as Building Bulletins (BB) and the ESFA Output Specifications (OS).
Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.
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:
- You will be asked to explain how you would approach the task of dealing with a construction project that has been submitted £5million pounds more than the £15million pound feasibility estimate.
- Cost management skills throughout a construction project.
We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:
- You will be asked to explain how you would approach the task of dealing with a construction project that has been submitted £5million pounds more than the £15million pound feasibility estimate.
Benefits
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Departments transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK, with an average employer contribution of 27%.
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years service. In addition, all staff receive the Kings Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application stage
At the sift application stage, we will assess Experience.
At sift, you will be assessed on the information you provide on your CV and personal statement (max 1000 words) demonstrating how you meet the listed essential criteria and a technical question.
Candidates will be sifted through their CV and a personal statement. Your personal statement should display how your experience meets the essential criteria of the role, listed in the Person Specification section.
The sift will be restricted to just assessing your personal statement in the event of a large volume of applications.
Interview Stage
The interview will involve questions based upon experience/technical competency and behaviour questions. We will also assess you against cost management skills throughout a construction project
The sift date is likely to be week commencing 2nd October. Interviews will likely take place week commencing 16th October via teams.
Other Information
We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.
The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.
DfE cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DfE holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe 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 circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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.
Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs
Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.
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 Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk 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.
Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming 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/
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 : Emma Cross
- Email : Emma.cross@education.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : AdvertsRecruitment.DFE@education.gov.uk
Further information
