42689 - MOJ Property Directorate - Surveyor (Probation)

£43,958 - £63,500 (Salary will depend on location)
1
12 Months
National
National
NATIONAL
Grade 7
Grade 7
Permanent
Full Time, Flexible Working
Estates, Surveying

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

MOJ Property Directorate offers flexible working subject to local agreement. This post is advertised as Permanent & Full Time, part-time applicants will be considered under job share arrangements.

The unit is supportive of and encourages flexible working and compressed hours candidates will also be considered. Non-civil service candidates would typically start on the pay band minimum.

MOJ Property Directorate Overview

MOJ Property Directorate is a customer service organisation that exists to enable our customers to perform to their best. We do this by providing working environments in which our customers want to work, and which support them in delivering their outputs efficiently, and by providing high quality, easy to use services. We manage one of the most diverse and complex estates in Government, hosted in MoJ, including the estates of the Home Office, Prisons, Probation, MoJ HQ and Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs).

We provide specialist services including facilities and estates management, property disposals and acquisitions, health & safety, fire safety and security; technical design expertise and sustainability, our cluster partners are supported by account management teams and we have business management teams supporting the overall Directorate. Our portfolio consists of properties valued at £8.5bn for the MoJ alone.

We work closely with our cluster partners and the Government Property Agency; encouraging healthy collaboration and driving a professional service delivery approach.

We continue to deliver new ways of working across the estates cluster – leading on the scale and pace of activity on this for central government – providing more dynamic and flexible workspace while reducing the cost of the estate.

Team Overview

The Estates Team drives direction and provides professional oversight of all activity across the MoJ Cluster. Comprising of a central team and embedded customer specific specialists, the Estates Team will work with Departments to ensure effective property use and strategy. Working closely with embedded surveyors from an external contract, the team will ensure that opportunities are maximised, and we run an efficient, fit for purpose estate which is VFM and enable our customers to perform to their best. To provide long-term comprehensive and integrated physical resource planning, to create the basis for exploiting the full potential of the MOJ Cluster’s physical resources.

Job Description, Duties and Responsibilities:

Responsibilities will include the following -

  • Leading Professional services for the MoJ Cluster from the Central Estates team, particularly focussed on acquisition/disposal/projects. Working in partnership with our professional service providers act as the main point of contact for day to day operational estates management, providing advice on general landlord and tenant matters, valuations and other estates matters specific to the client portfolio.
  • To provide technical and professional estates input into strategy development, business cases and projects relevant to client estates whilst overseeing the delivery of estate management activities on behalf of projects for the client group.
  • Assist in a wide range of circumstances, including negotiations with Local Authorities, Police Authorities, landlords, tenants and their respective professional; legal and financial advisors.
  • Proactively seek opportunities for more effective use of property and cost reduction/income across the estate.
  • Understanding the political, policy, operational and commercial context within which the MoJ and associated Property Directorate customers operate. Including wider government property agendas, market considerations, the impact of factors such as Brexit, new legislation, AI, sustainability and developing property trends.
  • Brief/instruct estates management service providers as appropriate and manage consultant performance.
  • Attendance at Contract Management meetings as needed and to provide support and guidance to Contract Manager.
  • Identifying the implications and opportunities provided by central government and MoJ strategy,change and reform programmes for the future direction of the Property Directorate working together with professional services embedded people and Estates Director.
  • Translating strategy and change programmes into key strategic priorities for Estate service delivery, asset disposal and investment alongside the Estates Director, Head of Strategy and other key stakeholders.
  • Working with the Estates Director and wider team to develop a capital investment strategy to ensure that the Directorate can effectively focus and prioritise investment across the MoJ estate.
  • Communicating strategic priorities and operational performance across the estate portfolio effectively in briefing, submissions and correspondence.
  • Support the development of professional networks within MoJ, wider Government and external industry to share best practice across Estates and Property management and strategy development.
  • Proactive and effective stakeholder management across the Cluster to give assurance of the role MoJ Estates holds and demonstrate professionalism in working with Departments.
  • To provide strong, collaborative professional direction and leadership to the wider team including Departmental Estates Leads with effective provision of comprehensive client centred services for estates planning
  • Support the development of a strong, professional capability across the team and a route to succession planning across all levels.
  • Working with team colleagues to create and improve processes to enable effective ways of working underpinned by a strong team ethos which places deliverables at the forefront of all activities, challenging Departments constructively to ensure the best outcomes.
  • To provide strong leadership and professional direction for the delivery of professional services for the MoJ Cluster including on disposals, acquisitions, projects and leases.
  • Implementing the property requirements of strategy and change programme consulting with key internal and external stakeholders affected by the programmes.
  • Working with team colleagues to create and improve processes to enable effective ways of working underpinned by a strong team ethos which places deliverables at the forefront of all activities, challenging Departments constructively to ensure the best outcomes
  • Embrace and promote continuous service improvement processes across the team and services provided.
  • Working with the wider team deliver comprehensive client centred services for estates planning, Project Delivery and MoJ cluster Estates functions, the latter to include:
    • Advise on Commercial and Crown Property matters generally including an understanding of planning legislation in particular where related to the Crown development

    • Ensure compliance with mandatory Treasury and GPA requirements and controls.

 

  • Co-ordination of ring-fenced property related projects such as multi-site acquisitions, disposals or lease exits.
  • Development of Estates Strategies in conjunction with embedded surveyors, SAM’s, the wider team and other stakeholders.
  • Prepare FOI responses, ministerial submissions and other papers.
  • Deputise for Estates Director/Head of Estates Strategy at internal and external meetings.
  • Stand in for Estates Surveyors assigned to approve documents for completion (Progress and Governance Team to run the process)
  • In collaboration with Departmental l Estates Lead and Data/Briefing team to support MoJ Cluster’s Public Sector Land work including meeting attendance and Board representation.
  • Direct involvement as needed in high value, complex or sensitive cases.
  • Lead on management of the annual asset valuation exercise. To act as intelligent client, challenging suppliers and providing internal advice and guidance.

Expectations of post holder in executing the role –

Post Holder will:

  • Collaborate with the Departmental Estates Team, to be actively involved in property disposals, acquisitions, leases and licences, regarded as high profile due to size, value, time constraints, operational and political sensitivity.
  • Directing professional estates work in the team, understanding what outcomes are being sought, delivering outputs to time and budget, providing assurance that the right approach is being taken, that property deals being complete are best value.
  • Leading professional standards and development in the MoJ Cluster
  • Using technical knowledge to support Strategic Lead/Director to ensure that a professional service is delivered to maximise opportunities in the estate and mitigate risk
  • Represent the Department at meetings and stakeholder events including ministerial briefings and meetings.
  • Build strong relationships with LAs and other Government Departments to facilitate understanding of options and best property decisions
  • Demonstrating highly effective leadership, management and development of apprentices and staff; develop own skills and knowledge;
  • Support the Estates Director and Head of Strategy to develop collective and individual capability within estates team through effective performance management, talent mapping, regular feedback and coaching
  • Lead and inspire staff with a vision for what the team needs to achieve, enabling them to understand their part in achieving the Property Directorate outcomes and providing the right level of support and challenge.
  • Work closely with embedded MoJ surveyors and professional services providers to ensure end to end delivery of the right outcomes for the business.

Post Holder is expected to display a commitment to continuous improvement, leading change, and improving performance of the services and our people. All those appointed to new roles in the team must be wholeheartedly committed to these principles and evidence this in their application.

Post Holder must provide clear direction and focus, visibly championing the changes which deliver greater efficiencies.

The Senior Leadership Team and Estates Director expects all leaders / senior managers within the team to operate in a culture of openness and honesty, demonstrating a commitment to change through involvement and empowerment, and by delivering results.

Regular Travel to London will be required together with attendance at meetings at other location in England and Wales.

Skills and Experience

  • Leadership skills including direction-setting, motivation and change management.
  • Experience of contract management and acting as intelligent client
  • Must be able to demonstrate the ability to adapt and learn quickly to meet the challenges of managing emerging and urgent priorities alongside existing work.
  • Experience in building and developing effective partnerships, negotiating with and influencing senior stakeholders to enable delivery of a complex range of goals and targets.
  • Able to think and act strategically, developing practical, innovative and creative solutions to strategic and complex operational issues.
  • Proven ability to manage complex programmes of work within challenging, dynamic delivery landscapes, while delivering significant efficiency savings and improved performance.
  • Strong communication, negotiating and influencing skills and the ability to forge highly successful relationships and achieve results through influencing in a highly political environment, understanding the policy and legal context and displaying a clear and strong grasp of stakeholder interests through effective working with other Government Departments, including GPA and OGP, with Ministers, sponsored bodies and external stakeholders.
  • Experience of developing and implementing effective strategies for engaging with and influencing internal and external stakeholders.

Essential

  • Senior level leadership in a complex organisation and providing written and oral briefings
  • Experience of working with and leading a team of estate professionals and building professional capacity and capability
  • Successful experience of undertaking transactional and advisory property services including acquisitions, disposals and estates management in complex environments.
  • Being inspiring, confident and leading by example acting as a mentor and trainer of team members.
  • Excellent ability to analyse data and information and draw conclusions to support problem solving
  • Strong commercial awareness and understanding of the value of trend data.
  • Experience of property contract/account management for multi-site estate portfolios
  • Extensive knowledge and experience of estates surveying / service delivery.
  • MRICS/FRICS

 Highly Desirable

  • A strong track record of estate management in both public and private sectors.
  • Successful experience of leading and managing a strategic agenda and delivering challenging programmes in a complex environment
  • Understanding of and integration with the Government Property Profession Programme management qualification or experience
  • Knowledge or experience of continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Required:

Professionally qualified estates professional within the RICS property discipline, eg commercial property, valuation or general practice

Government Property Profession (GPP) Competencies -

The GPP Competency Framework is aimed at staff working in property or property-related roles and consider property to be their career anchor profession. This usually encompasses posts where professional qualifications and experience are directly relevant to the work being undertaken. However, it is also applicable to those who are currently not qualified property practitioners but wish to make this their profession of choice. Those with a property background at any level are encouraged to register with the GPP, which exists to support property practitioners at all levels. Details of the GPP Competency Framework can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-property-profession-competency-framework.

At Senior Practitioner level must demonstrate:

  • Professional/Technical Expertise
  • Interpretation and analysis of data to inform decision making
  • Understanding and complying with Statutory, Regulatory and Professional Requirements
  • Sustaining and developing the Government Property Profession

Behaviours

We will assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Seeing the Bigger Picture
  • Leadership
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Communicating and Influencing

Flexible working hours

The Estates Directorate offers a flexible working system.

Requests for reduced hours contracts will be considered in line with business needs.

The job holder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh.

Qualifications
Professionally qualified estates professional within the RICS property discipline, eg commercial property, valuation or general practice.

CTC level National Security Clearance is required for this role. Central Government policy dictates that applicants for National Security Clearance must be a resident in the UK for these minimum periods:

· CTC - 3 years

· SC - 5 years

· DV - 10 years

Working Arrangements & Further Information

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits,retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

1-    To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);

2-    To Ministry of Justice Resourcing (resourcing-services@justice.gov.uk);

3-    To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.

There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Grading Structure Review

The Ministry of Justice is currently undergoing a review of posts which are currently graded at Band A to realign our grading structure with the majority of the wider Civil Service.

Posts advertised at Band A may be graded at either Grade 6 or Grade 7 once the review has taken place.  

Dates to be confirmed.

19/04/2021, 23:55 hours.

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com Please quote the job reference - 42689.
Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC)

To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why. 

For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).

If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:

  • You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
  • You were studying abroad
  • You were living overseas with parents

In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.

Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.

if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance

We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.


Application form stage assessments

Experience
Statement of Suitability - 1000 word limit

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Seeing the Big Picture
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Technical Skills
Professional Practice - Level 4
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

· UK nationals

· nationals of the Republic of Ireland

· nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

· individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020

· Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

This Vacancy is closed to applications.