For jobs located in Wales, the ability to speak Welsh is desirable.

From the design and development of policies to the delivery of services supporting work, welfare, pensions and child maintenance, DWP is the Government’s 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 DWP’s 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.

Your role will be to provide assistance and specialist technical support to the Asset Management Team and the asset intelligence functional specialist within DWP Estates, bringing technical and compliance expertise to ensure that the DWP Estate is managed, controlled, safe and compliant.

You will understand best practice and legal requirements regarding fire legislation, water hygiene management, and the Asbestos Regulations within commercial buildings, and using a practical approach to monitor compliance, drive improvements and introduce innovations.

Government Property Profession Career Framework (Link)

This role sits within the following:

•  Job Family – Strategic Asset Management
• Core Role – Property Data Management
• Level – Practitioner

Key accountabilities 

• Assist the Water, Fire, and Asbestos Manger(s) in ensuring DWP Estate portfolio has a complete and compliant safe system of work covering, amongst others statutory systems, Asbestos, water Hygiene management and fire management.
• Under the supervision of the above manager(s) and working collaboratively with the external DWP specialist and/or ‘Carve-out’ consultants in the development and implementation of a performance management system, for the assurance and compliance of statutory maintenance activities related to Water, Fire and Asbestos.
• Co-ordinate, document, and track water, asbestos and fire mitigation works that originate from risk assessments, annual re-inspection programmes or surveys.
• To assist in the oversight and advisory input into all Water, Fire and Asbestos related works taking place across the DWP Estate, to ensure that works only progress when Water, Fire, and Asbestos risks, have been sufficiently considered and associated risks mitigated.
• Ensure that DWP Estates Water, Fire and Asbestos management registers and associated databases are maintained and regularly reviewed.
• To inform and track any legislative changes related to Water, Fire, and Asbestos statute: if these changes required amendments to policies or procedures.
• Periodically review survey documentation produced by the specialist and/or  ‘Carve-out’ Consultants and appointed TFM contractor, including supply chain, to ensure that all surveys and action plans are documented, tracked and rectification works agreed are closed-out.
• Monitoring and informing Fire, Water Hygiene and Asbestos manager(s) of any adverse events relating to Fire, Water Hygiene or Asbestos incidents within the DWP property portfolio.
• Assisting in the capture and interpretation of asset and maintenance data for Asbestos, Fire, and Water to ensure correct maintenance, works and investment is in place, and our sites are safe and maintained throughout their life.
• Assist in site investigations and audits to ensure compliant sites, completed works, capture of complete and correct asset data, and life cycle works, with associated documentation.
• Assist in making recommendations for future works, improvements, maintenance, and investments to ensure best value for money, innovation, and compliance.
• Assist in the authorisation and sign-off delay requests for maintenance and repairs.
• Assist in the technical assessment of requested / required repairs / works to Asbestos, Fire and Water assets and systems.
• Assist the Asset Intelligence Team and Asset Management section in the gathering and management of asset data and insight.
• Assist the Asset Intelligent subject matter experts in the management and control of the DWP Estates building assets and systems, and associated maintenance and works to ensure a seamless compliance and management process.
• Drive value and compliance and the DWP principles of ‘smaller, Greener, more affordable, and adaptable estate.
• Assist in ‘new’ building, life cycle works  and project handovers and the associated compliance, maintenance, and asset data.
• Assist DWP and DWP Estates with data, information, and insight to ensure DWP are meeting our objectives and goals.
• Perform deep-dives, audits, and checks of data and compliance information, to understand root-causes, close gaps and make improvements.
• Collaborate with DWP Estates teams and supply chain partners to ensure continuous improvement and full compliance with legislation, and good practice in the management of fire, water hygiene and asbestos maintenance / surveys and  inspections.
• Deputise for Asset Intelligence team members in meetings.
• Strive for best practice in asset management and ISO55000.
• Influential and able to lead key senior stakeholders, colleagues and customers towards commercial solutions that give a balance of optimal performance whilst delivering on business and portfolio strategy.

STAGE 1 - Testing, application & sift

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Judgement Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 14th March 2024. If you fail to complete the online test and full written application before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

STAGE 2 - 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.

You will also be asked an additional question to validate your knowledge which will be measured against the essential criteria as specified in the vacancy.

Currently the sift is scheduled to take place w/c 18th & 25th March 2024 and interview dates will be w/c 9th April 2024. Interviews are scheduled to take place virtually and dates are subject to change.

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 applicant’s 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.

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

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.

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.

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 you’re 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.