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.

Major Projects - Reporting to the Senior Quantity Surveyor (G7) this role is professionally responsible for supporting the end to end delivery process for the commercial and financial management of a portfolio of major projects from inception to completion. You will be accountable to challenge and approve how projects are budgeted, procured and cost managed whilst still achieving the required standards and quality and delivery on programme.

Service Delivery - This Real Estate specialist role will work closely with the supplier partner network, in particular the Integrator, Framework Contractors and Professional Services Consultants to ensure management of all costs and drive enhanced value for money across all types and complex projects, including Lifecycle; Capital (change the Estate) and FF&E.

Government Property Profession Career Framework (Link)

This role sits within the following:

• Job Family – Property & Construction Projects
• Core Role - Property & Construction Project Management
• Level – Practitioner

Key accountabilities

• Provide support in the development of a full independent cost management and review process, from project inception to settlement of final account and project close. Analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from varied internal and external sources to support decisions
• Evaluate and approval of all costs incorporated in project feasibility reports, consulting with others to ensure the potential impacts on end users have been considered.  Presenting strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits and risks
• Provide an independent review and budget challenge for all types of major projects - providing cost assurance to support change management/control and displaying confidence when making difficult decisions
• Works with Estates colleagues to ensure a holistic portfolio approach is taken across all projects to ensure the most efficient and effective management of DWP Estates assets understanding the strategic drivers for Estates and the customer, aligning activities to contribute to the wider organisational priorities
• Develop, implement and manage project procurement policies and procedures for projects and programmes of work, communicated to all stakeholders to understand their role in the process
• Supports the EPMS and project supply chain team in developing cost plans, encouraging joined up team work collaborating to share information, resources and support
• Evaluation and approval of tender reports and recommendations relating to Contractor and Consultant appointments for projects and services
• Undertake full independent Cost Audits, providing assurance in appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency
• Providing cost estimates for strategic programmes and projects to support Departmental policy
• Establish and manage a cost avoidance and cost benefit reporting framework/tool for projects, to provide DWP assurance working with others to identify areas for improvement and simplify processes to use fewer resources where appropriate
• Verifying cost improvements put forward by supplier partners relating to projects or elements of project work, which adhere to the required design standards
• Ensure that data from completed projects is used to inform relevant benchmark data to improve future estimating
• Ensure frameworks and contracts are up to date and rates reflect the departments design standards and market comparable, clearly explaining the reasons for change to colleagues and stakeholders and how to implement them, supporting individuals with different needs to adapt to the changes
• Demonstrate the Authority and operational business units are receiving market comparable rates and value for money across all types and size of projects
• Engage with other government departments and Office for Government Property/Government Property Agency, networking with similar roles and colleagues to ensure best practice is shared and understood

Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Strong Commercial experience gained within a Property, Facilities Management or similar complex function within a large, matrix organisation
• Strong exposure to a wide range of Commercial Development related projects and activities from design phase onwards, applying good commercial principles to multi-site works delivery
• A detailed working knowledge of construction procurement and contracting strategies and a proven ability to apply the most appropriate strategy to suit specific project characteristics and risks
• Influential in leading key stakeholders towards Commercial solutions that give a balance of optimal commercial performance whilst delivering on business strategy
• High level management of key suppliers, able to support negotiations, management or escalation issues, and engage in key decision making that has strategic consequences
• Understanding and complying with Real Estate and related Statutory, Regulatory and Professional requirements
• Experience of Project Management - excellent organisational skills supported by robust planning and prioritisation and experience in setting up and managing frameworks to support projects
• Interpretation and analysis of data to inform decision making
• Experienced in finance control, procedures and reporting including providing cost reporting and client side assurance role
• Sound judgement, initiative and prioritisation skills, the ability to delivery at pace and work to tight timescales

Qualifications/professional memberships

Desirable

• Member of a real estate/commercial professional body or equivalent (e.g. RICS, CIOB)

STAGE 1 - 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.

Currently the sift is scheduled to take place w/c 19 February 2024 and interview dates will be w/c 26 February 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

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

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.

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.