About the job

Job summary

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) are the public sector’s property valuation experts and advisers. We’re one of the largest employers of surveyors in the country offering access to a whole host of learning and development opportunities to support your career development.

We’re looking for talented Chartered Surveyors who are eager to contribute to vital public services and assist us to deliver taxation and benefits support to the government and local authorities. You should be able to manage a complex workload within specialist teams and work closely with colleagues across the region.

Applications are welcomed from RICS or IRRV members who are qualified in the Valuation, Real Estate or Rural Pathways.

At the heart of the agency, we are committed to providing our people with a work environment which is accommodating and accessible to all. We value diversity and inclusion and prioritise equality in everything we do. We encourage our people to bring their whole selves to work within a culture that values different perspectives to help tackle complex problems, promote innovation, and deliver stronger decision making in a safe and supportive environment. We therefore welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds to join our organisation and enable us to be representative of the communities that we serve.

We are eager to hear from a wide range of people including those of you who are:

• Experienced surveyors looking to develop your professional experience.
• Newly qualified.
• At a point in your career where you need to work more flexibly or part-time to accommodate your home responsibilities or stage in life.

Our surveyors have the freedom to manage their own diaries and are empowered to deliver under their own autonomy. We trust our people and look forward to welcoming your skills into our VOA property community.

Job description

Chartered Valuation Surveyor – Role Overview 

As a Chartered Valuation Surveyor, you’ll be responsible for valuations, negotiations and providing property related advice. You'll manage large caseloads, undertake site inspections, oversee the quality assurance process, and represent the Valuation Office Agency at tribunal.

You could be posted in several areas across the agency including the National Valuation Unit (NVU), the Regional Valuation Unit (RVU) Chief Valuer Group (CVG) and District Valuer Services (DVS) which is the commercial arm of the business, operating in competition with the private sector. Please refer to the attached candidate pack for a brief overview of each business area.

Our Chartered Surveyors have the freedom to manage their own diaries and are empowered to deliver under their own autonomy. We trust our people and look forward to welcoming your skills into our surveying community.

Key Responsibilities:

Please note, these might vary slightly depending on which area of the Agency you are posted to.

• Providing technical valuation and property advice to clients and be able to manage your caseload effectively, delivering quality work.
• Identifying, escalating, mitigating, or managing risks and issues.
• Providing property valuation advice to support local and national taxations.
• Appearance at Valuation Tribunal, and potentially Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) as required.
• The confidence to act as the Lead Valuer, giving technical and valuation advice and guidance to other colleagues.
• Marketing sector specific services and being responsible for maintaining and developing client relationships.
• Providing quotes to clients and accurately recording time spent on cases for charging purposes and delivery.
• Supporting and developing our pipeline of trainee surveyors and having oversight of their journey through their APC and coaching peers.

Person specification

You should be able to manage a complex workload within specialist teams and be prepared to work closely with colleagues across the region to deliver for our clients.

Throughout the process, you’ll maintain our high standards for quality, delivering to often demanding deadlines. You will enjoy a varied role that includes regular property inspections and travel, and your skills and experience will enable us to provide an efficient, effective, service right at the heart of the public interest.

Essential Requirements

We are looking for candidates who:

• Are experienced surveyors possessing MRICS/FRICS or are IRRV (hons) qualified in the valuation or real estate pathways. We’d also like to hear from you if you’re due to sit the APC in session one of 2024.
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• For some roles you will be required to hold a full driving license.
• Are willing to travel as some overnight stays may be required.
• For some roles, candidates must be eligible to join the RICS Valuer Registration Scheme (VRS), criteria as determined by the RICS is as follows:

https://www.rics.org/globalassets/rics-website/media/upholding-professional-standards/regulation/rules-for-registration-of-schemes_2020.pdf

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,768, Valuation Office Agency contributes £12,087 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

If you can meet our person requirements above we are keen to hear from you. 

To apply for this post, you must complete an online application with the following:

• A CV setting out your Job History/Full Qualifications/Previous skills and experiences.
• A Personal Statement (maximum 750 words), please outline your suitability for the role. Please pay particular attention to the ‘Essential Criteria’ and ‘Person Specification’ outlined in the advert when providing your answer.

Sift - Ongoing

• We will assess you on your CV, Personal Statement, Qualifications and Membership.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to interview.

Interviews - W/C 19/02/2024

Interviews are currently taking place using Microsoft Teams Video. We will provide more detail if you are shortlisted for interview.

• We will assess you on the Behaviours listed in the job description, strengths and technical ability.

At the interview, the panel can then probe further and ask applicants to provide further specific examples that show how they best demonstrate their skills.

Further Information

Please ensure that you signpost whether you are eligible to join the RICS Valuer Registration Scheme in your application.

Candidates are permitted to specify a business area that they would prefer to be posted in. However, preferences are not a guarantee and candidates should note that their postings will be decided based on the needs of the business at the time of appointment.

Some sites are difficult to access via public transport and therefore a full UK Driving Licence is essential to the role. However, if you are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 and do not hold a full driving licence, we will consider your application. Please contact resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk with your details to discuss this further.

As part of the application process you will be asked to tell us which of the locations available, you can work in. You will be able to specify up to 3 options. 

Due to the way the CS Jobs system is set up, when choosing your preferred locations, you will find that the Wembley & Canary Wharf location will not appear on the list of options. They are replaced by Harlesden & Tower Hamlets.

• Should you wish to choose Wembley as a location then please select Harlesden
• Should you wish to choose Canary Wharf as a location then please select Tower Hamlets.
• Please note the Tower Hamlets location is our Canary Wharf location, 10 South Colonnade, E14 4PU.

Any move to VOA 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

VOA employees only:  If you are currently in receipt of DTA as a result of a VOA office closure/restructure and it is agreed for you to take up this role in your current location, you may continue to receive DTA for the remainder of the period you can claim for.  Please check with the Vacancy Holder on preferred locations for this role before you apply.

The VOA is an office-based organisation, however as all of our roles have aspects which can be completed from home, all colleagues have the ability to work a hybrid working pattern. The amount that colleagues work from home or office is defined by several factors including the nature of the work they carry out, the needs of their stakeholders, their development needs and personal circumstances such as caring responsibilities. To learn more about the hybrid working arrangements that could be available in this role, please contact the vacancy holder.

Pre-employment Checks

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.

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.

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 voarecruitment.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 an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Terms & Conditions

Voluntary terms apply.

Please note that the VOA has updated its terms and conditions of employment as part of Civil Service Reform. For more information on how this will affect you, please see attached FAQ document.

Reserve Lists

If we have more successful candidates than available vacancies, we will hold a 3-month reserve list as standard.

During that time, we may use the list to fill the same, or similar roles with closely matching essential criteria, without further testing of merit. Any appointments from the Reserve list will be made in strict merit order

Starting Work

The successful candidates will normally take up duty within one month from notification of successful completion of pre-employment checks.

Applying

All applications for these vacancies must be made online. There are limited exceptions to this. Paper applications will only be considered if you have a disability that will prevent you from applying online. If this is the case, please email voarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Once you have submitted your application it cannot be amended; only submit your application when you have completely finished and answered all the relevant questions.
Please note that late applications will not be accepted.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Concerns/Complaints

The Valuation Office Agency’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you may make a complaint, by contacting the Central Recruitment Team at the following address  resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint you have the right to complain to the Civil Service Commissioners.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

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)
• 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)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.