About the job

Job summary

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) are the public sector’s property valuation experts and advisers. As one of the largest employers of surveyors in the country. Our work is vital to the collection of over £60 billion of revenue which goes back into communities, touching every citizen and every business across England and Wales.

We are committed to providing our people with a work environment which is accommodating and accessible to all, one which values diversity and inclusion in everything we do. We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds, who bring different perspectives, promote innovation and enable us to be representative of the communities we serve.

Job description

Principal Surveyor - National Taxation – Role Overview

The role sits within the District Valuer Services (DVS), part of Chief Valuer Group (CVG).

DVS is the business stream tasked with providing a range of statutory and non-statutory functions, many of which date back to the founding of the VOA in 1910. These are:

• Provision of advice on valuations and apportionments for national taxation purposes.
• Provision of valuations and property advice for Other Public Bodies (OPBs) to support their implementation of a wide range of regulatory and legislative functions.
• The delivery of government policies and estate strategies in situations where there is a property requirement related to the exercising of a public function and or public money is involved.
• This majority of the work is untied and undertaken on a contractual ‘earned funding’ full cost recovery charging basis. Some is fix funded.

This role sits within the National Taxation team of DVS. The National Taxation team provide valuations and advice for National Taxation purposes on behalf of HMRC, Community Infrastructure Levy, Right to Buy and DWP Benefits.

This is a technical surveying and leadership role. It is an excellent opportunity to lead on high profile and complex casework for all property types.

You will work within a fast-paced team to meet increased client requirements. You will provide technical leadership, guidance, and valuation advice to clients and support the national tax team primarily on a regional (but also on occasion, national) basis.

This role will be covering a wide geographical area (South East) for inspection and management purposes, you will be expected to travel and spend time in London and other VOA locations in connection with their role, which may include overnight stays.

Principal Surveyor - National Taxation – Key responsibilities

• Support the DVS management team, working closely with Team Leaders and the Sector Head to ensure a diverse workforce, with the ability to transfer skills across the sector in pursuit of delivering agreed quality and budgetary targets.
• Undertaking complex and high-profile valuation casework within the National Taxation sector, including HMRC and DWP valuations to support the administration of Benefits, Right to Buy and Community Infrastructure Levy.
• Providing Trade related valuations and Development Appraisals with a significant focus on the London geographical area.
• Liaising with a broad range of specialists on technical and policy issues.
• Reviewing high profile or complex valuations. Identifying risks and issues, making recommendations on action to be taken and ensuring quality assurance and timeliness standards are adhered to.
• Providing detailed technical guidance, training, and mentoring to caseworkers within the unit.
• Reporting to stakeholders, up to and including Ministerial level where necessary.
• Effective risk management of National Taxation casework to support timeliness and realise tax yield where this is properly due.
• Improving customer satisfaction and improving the taxpayer experience
• Ability to act as an expert witness, appearance before arbitrators or submission of evidence to independent experts and Lands Tribunals where required.

Person specification

Our ideal candidate is someone who can use their advanced technical surveying knowledge, combined with their strong leadership skills to deliver key objectives. Supporting the sharing of skills and best practice across teams to encourage innovation.

You should have an awareness of the wider political, economic, social, technical, environmental, and legislative agendas that impact the profession. Using this, alongside your exceptional negotiation skills to assist in complex and challenging valuation cases, applying technical expertise and capability.

You will enjoy a varied and fast paced role, using your knowledge, skills and experience to successfully manage a team and meet operational needs.

Essential Criteria

• Full MRICS or FRICS. You must be a Registered Valuer through 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
• Full UK driving licence.
• Advanced technical surveying knowledge, with a strong understanding of relevant legislation, case law relating to valuation for taxation purposes.
• Strong leadership skills, encouraging innovation and sharing of best practice.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to build credible relationships and influence a range of stakeholders.
• Excellent Horizon scanning skills, applying problem-solving techniques, sound technical and professional judgement, to mitigate risks.
• Experience of delivering projects or services to high quality standards using effective prioritisation skills to manage competing demands.
• Willingness to travel, overnight stays may be required.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £54,631, Valuation Office Agency contributes £14,750 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 and Previous skills and experiences.
• A Personal Statement (maximum 750 words), outlining 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 - 7th May 2024

Please note these dates are provisional and may be subject to change.

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

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

Interviews - 23rd May 2024

Please note these dates are provisional and may be subject to change. These will be confirmed should you be invited to interview

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, Technical Question and Presentation.

 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.

Presentation 

You will also be required to conduct a 10 minute presentation on your Technical ability and Leadership skills. Further details on the topic will be provided to you if you are shortlisted for interview.

Technical

As part of the interview you will be asked a technical question to assess your technical skills.

Application Hints and Tips

For more information on Success Profiles, tips on how to write a successful application and find out more about what’s involved in the application process please visit About the application process , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)

Further Information

Internal role title will be National Taxation Sector Leader – South East

This role ideally will be suited to a full time person, office based, but if you are wishing to undertake this role on a Part-Time basis the minimum number of hours required for the post is 4 days per week, 29.6 hours. The preferred working pattern may or may not be available. You should discuss this with the vacancy holder.

A full UK Driving Licence is essential to this 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. Please be aware that you can be posted to any location that you put in your preferences. If you would only like to be posted to one location, please confirm one location only.

Due to the way the CS Jobs system is set up, when choosing your preferred locations, you will find that the Wembley & Canary Wharf locations will not appear on the list of options.

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

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

The VOA is an office based organisation that supports flexible working. By default, everyone in the VOA is a hybrid worker with options to work in the office, at home or out and about, depending on the work they’re doing that day and where it’s best done.

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.

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.

If you would require a Certificate of Sponsorship from the VOA to undertake this role, please contact resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk before submitting your application.

Reasonable Adjustment

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition, or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate. 

If you need a reasonable adjustment or a change to be made so that you can make your application please click here for more information: Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk) and contact voarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible.

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.

Terms & Conditions

Voluntary terms apply.

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.

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.