About the job

Job summary

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) are the public sector’s property valuation experts and advisers. We offer access to a whole host of learning and development opportunities to support your career development.

We’re looking for talented people who are eager to contribute to vital public services and assist us to deliver taxation and benefits support to the government and local authorities. Your skills and experience will enable us to provide an efficient, effective service right at the heart of the public interest.

At the heart of the agency, we are committed to providing our people with a work environment which is accommodating and accessible to all and which values diversity and inclusion in everything we do.  We encourage our people to bring their whole selves to work by providing 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 we serve.

Our people 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 the VOA community.

Job description

Programme Risk Manager – Role Overview

We are looking for a Risk Manager to join our diverse Project Delivery community to work on new upcoming, high-profile programmes and projects. Our Risk Manager will play a crucial role in coordinating and driving forward the ground-breaking change needed to achieve the future shape of VOA.

This role is based within the Non-Domestic Rates Reforms (NDRR), a high-profile programme which sits on the Governments Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP). It is a complex design and implementation programme which includes some of the biggest changes to ratings in a generation.

The Risk Manager is a critical role in the Programme Management Office, taking the lead on all aspects of programme and project risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies. The role provides opportunity to work closely with our most senior leaders and managers.

Programme Risk Manager – Key Responsibilities

• Lead on all aspects of RAID management, including the development, updating, and monitoring of risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies.
• Work closely with the wider team and stakeholders to ensure all aspects of the Risk, Issue, Assumptions and Dependency (RAID) register are managed.
• Maintain the RAID Management Strategy and plan for effective RAID Management in accordance with best practice, Departmental policy and ensuring compliance with the continuous improvement of, Programme Delivery (PD), RAID strategies, processes and procedures within change initiatives or sub-organisations.
• Provide effective and efficient advice on PD Risks, Assumptions, Issues and Dependencies to Project and Programme colleagues as well as senior leaders. Develop a programme of regular RAID reviews with key stakeholders.
• Be a point of professional knowledge and expertise on PD Risk, Assumption, Issue and Dependency Management for their sub-organisation, supporting the business in identifying appropriate strategies for dealing with Risks, Assumptions, Issues and Dependencies.
• Provide clarity on management actions for any RAID items, working with the Planning Lead to identify when there are risks to the delivery plan.
• Identify tasks, activities, interdependencies and outputs for the programme and work with the programme team to track and monitor progress against the plan throughout the life of the programme.
• Develop artefacts that communicate the current position of any RAID and be able to clearly articulate to senior management changes to base-lined plans, risks to delivery etc.
• Provide Line Management to PMO Support Officers.

Person specification

As Programme Risk Manager, the successful candidate will be working in a fast-paced environment, requiring a keen eye for detail and an ability to provide efficient advice and clarity to a range of colleagues and stakeholders. We are seeking a candidate with the ability to remain organised and self-motivated whilst leading and co-ordinating on RAID development to drive the change needed to achieve effective RAID management.

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience in a RAID management role with the ability to apply relevant tools and techniques to ensure that risks, assumptions, issues and dependencies are effectively managed and that control frameworks are robust.
• We will consider candidates who have either a recognised professional PPM qualification or experience of Programme RAID Management within a complex environment. (Qualifications could include: APMG Project Risk Management Foundation/Practitioner or PRINCE2 Practitioner.)
• Experience of developing and implementing and delivering effective RAID management frameworks in line with best practice.
• Proven ability in analysing and interpreting RAID information and constructively challenging others, including senior leaders to identify control weaknesses or opportunities for improvement.
• Experience of updating and monitoring risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal with experience of writing reports for senior leaders and delivering presentations and training to a range of stakeholders.
• Experience of effective collaborative working, influencing and stakeholder management across matrix environments. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,185, Valuation Office Agency contributes £10,850 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 - In no more than 750 words, please outline your suitability for the role. Please pay particular attention to the Person Specification and Essential Criteria when providing your answer.

Sift - 11 March 2024

Please note this date is provisional and may be subject to change. 

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

In the cases of large numbers of applicants, a pre-sift may be conducted on the lead essential criteria: Proven experience in a RAID management role with the ability to apply relevant tools and techniques to ensure that risks, assumptions, issues and dependencies are effectively managed and that control frameworks are robust.                       

Interviews - 25 March 2024

Please note this date is provisional and may be subject to change. The date 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 and Technical skill.

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.

Behaviours

The distinguishing Behaviours (the required skills, knowledge and behaviours) for this role are set out in the Civil Service Behaviours Framework 2018 (Success Profiles - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) and should be referred to when making this application.

You are required, under the Behaviours approach, to describe how you have dealt with a specific situation.

You must give evidence of your knowledge, skills and behaviours and how you have applied this, such as what you did or said and how you interacted with other people.

When you are giving your examples, do not spend too many words on description and background information. Avoid using general or unspecific statements. Instead say what the situation was, what you did what your thought process was and so on.

Technical

At interview you will be asked questions to demonstrate technical experience relating to this role.

Further Information

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.

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.

Reserve Lists

If we have more successful candidates than available vacancies, we will hold a 6-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 candidate 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.

This post is advertised as temporary with the possibility of permanency.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.              

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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.