About the job

Job summary

The Planning Capacity and Capability Team was established in 2022 to support and upskill town planners in local government in building the skills and resources needed to deliver a more efficient and sustainable planning system, which can adapt to and successfully implement change. The planning system is currently being reformed through changes set out in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act, which require significant changes from an already stretched sector. Increasing the system's capacity and capability can ease immediate challenges and facilitate successful implementation of the reforms.

The Capacity and Capability Programme aims to deliver a suite of interventions that will:

• Provide a pipeline into the profession to local planning authorities to recruit and retain planners.  

• Deliver direct resource support to local planning authorities to enable them to deliver projects both now and in the introduction of the new planning system. 

• Provide upskilling and tools for the job to support the implementation of changes to the planning system.  

The successful candidate will work in a small but dynamic Programme Management Office Team, working closely with the Programme Manager and senior Project Manager. You will take a lead in managing projects across the programme and proactively supporting the delivery teams on a day-to-day basis. You will be responsible for driving and overseeing the delivery of the projects to ensure that the objectives and benefits are clearly defined and achieved within the agreed time, cost and quality constraints.

This is a fast-paced and ambitious programme that has been co-designed with the sector and will be delivered through a wide range of delivery partners. You will be able to work at pace, making clear evidence based decisions, with enthusiasm and confidence, engaging and successfully communicating with a range of key internal and external stakeholders.  A major part of the role will be to directly support the ongoing establishment of the Planning Super Squad (PSS) which aims to build capacity and enable project delivery. This role is high-profile and is an exciting and unique opportunity to help build the skills and resource needed to support transformational system change.  

We particularly welcome candidates from an ethnic minority background and other underrepresented groups to apply, as we work to continually improve our ability to represent the places and communities, we support through our work.

Job description

The Project Manager will:

• Lead projects to deliver the agreed outcomes and benefits within time, cost, and quality constraints. 

• Provide day-to-day management and leadership of the programme and the project interventions.

• Plan, implement and monitor project progress and track project deliverables using appropriate tools and techniques to ensure successful and timely completion.

• Updating and maintaining the programme and project plans, tracking, and reporting against milestones.

• Identify and monitor project risks and issues. Develop mitigating actions and escalate as appropriate.

• Engage with assurance reviews and lead action on recommendations.

• Lead on the development of the Programme and Project Business Cases

• Lead in developing and tracking programme budgets and spend against delivery.

In respect of Planning Super Squad the role will:

• Work closely with the Head of the PSS Team and Delivery Manager, playing a lead role in the governance that will be established to run the PSS project, helping to develop a team, building resilience and collaborative working.

• Work as part of the PSS Core Team to set up the management of the project in partnership with Homes England and working proactively with other teams as necessary across the Regeneration, Housing and Planning Group, and the wider Department, including Private Office, HMT and other key departments where necessary.

• Engage with colleagues including the user research team to develop effective monitoring and evaluation approaches that secures continual improvement and a learning and development programme to support the work of the team and contributes to an improved planning system based on collaborative working between partners and stakeholders.

• Develop a strong understanding of the project, including the establishment of a national enabling function and the skills and resources needed to deliver a more efficient and sustainable planning system.

Person specification

The post-holder will be responsible for:

• Supporting the project delivery teams to establish and drive forward the implementation of the projects in a way that secures continual improvement of the delivery of the programme.

• Learning and Development: support on the development of learning and development that spans the programme, helping to ensure it contributes to an improved planning system based on collaborative working between partners and stakeholders.

• Evaluation: working with user research colleagues to ensure the impact and benefits of the programme and projects can be clearly identified and measured, benefits identified and mapped, and that full monitoring and evaluation can be undertaken.

• Quality control: ensure that delivery and partnership (for PSS with Homes England) meet appropriate standards and are in line with established governance requirements. Ensure that systems and the right culture are in place to facilitate and monitor continual improvements in quality and pace.

• Collaboration: Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues (for PSS including Homes England), local government and other key Directorates that interface with planning as well as teams in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Directorates. Effective contribution towards a positive and collaborative team culture to facilitate and monitor continual improvements in quality and pace.

• Contributing to the leadership priorities of the wider Capacity and Capability team. Ensuring that clear expectations are set with direct line reports, and that the team has the right support and training in place to enable delivery at a high level. Ensure that wellbeing is supported and that the team are empowered to play an active role in the development of the team as a whole. Manage change in a positive and inclusive way.

Essential criteria:

• Experience of working in a complex project team or programme, using project delivery methodologies and frameworks.

• Experience of planning, finance, scheduling, risk and issue management, and change management in a project or programme environment.

• Stakeholder management and enabling skills, co-ordinating across various groups/teams.

• Knowledge of commercial, governance, assurance, and risk processes

• The ability to present, produce reports and communicate progress effectively to a senior audience.

• Possess excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills, with an ability to communicate clearly and succinctly and develop relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Using sound judgement to anticipate problems and seek creative solutions, working collaboratively with colleagues.

• Good analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data.

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment with multiple tasks.

• Using sound judgement to anticipate problems and seek creative solutions, working collaboratively with colleagues. Project or Programme related qualifications are desirable. Experience of town planning or a related built environment field is desirable.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £51,934, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities contributes £14,022 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 and Experience.

We are for everyone 

 

At DLUHC we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce. We promote equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment and a working environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation. 

 

Please contact the vacancy manager if you have any questions about the role. 

 

As part of our pre-employment checking process we will be using your CV to confirm your job history. Please note that by providing us with your CV you are consenting to us using the information enclosed as part of the checking process. 

 

We are for everyone 

 

 

CV and Cover Letter Declaration 

We recruit based on your knowledge and skills, and not background, gender or ethnicity - this is called name blind recruitment. 

  

Please remove references to your: 

• name/title
• educational institutions
• age
• gender
• email address
• postal address
• phone number
• nationality/immigration status

 

You will need to merge your CV and covering letter into one document. When submitting your application Applied will ask you to upload a CV, when doing this you should upload your merged document of your CV and covering letter. 

 

Most of our campaigns utilise multiple assessors and so it is possible that your application would be viewed by different assessors. 

 

At sift, through your CV and covering letter we will be assessing: 

 

Examples: 

Experience 

Your covering letter should be no more than 1 page and include why you are interested in this role and how you meet the criteria, skills and experience required

The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of experience, behaviour, and strength based questions as listed in the advert. The strength based questions will require natural responses from the candidates.  

Candidates will be expected to deliver a presentation at interview stage, the details of which will be provided upon invitation.

 

In full the campaign will test the below Success Profile Elements: 

 

Experience: Yes - Experience questions will be based around the essential skills and criteria as listed in the job description 

Strength: Yes

Behaviours: Leadership, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Changing and Improving

 

We do not consider direct CV applications – you must apply for this role via the application link on Civil Service Jobs: 

Please note that near miss offers may be made at the lower grade to candidates who do not meet the grade criteria for this campaign 

Grade 7 salary 

• The salary for this role is £57,091 (London) or £51,934 (National). 
• For existing civil servants, the usual policy on level transfer and promotion will apply and is non-negotiable. If you apply for a role that requires a transfer of location, for example if you are transferring from London to a National location, your salary will be adjusted in accordance with our policy on transfer between HQ pay ranges. 
   

Please note that the average employer pension contribution is based upon the National minimum salary for this role. Should your agreed starting salary for this role be different, the average employer pension contribution will be calculated accordingly. If you are a Secondee, this will not apply as you will remain on your home organisation’s terms and conditions.   

 

Benefits 

Transfers across the Civil Service on or after 4 October 2018: 

Any move to DLUHC 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. 

For further information about the benefits available to DLUHC employees, please see the attached Candidate Pack. 

 

Location 

• Wolverhampton 
• Darlington* 
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Leeds
• London 
• Manchester

 

*Please note: The Darlington Economic Campus is a pioneering new cross-government hub which will bring together people across departments and public organisations to play an active role in the most important economic issues of the day. The work of the Campus will make a real difference to people both across the UK and internationally. There will be substantial career opportunities and exciting prospects - a career at the Campus means you will be working at the heart of Government, with access to the benefits and fantastic opportunities offered by the civil service.   

For further information on the DEC, please take a look at the attached DEC candidate pack. 

At present, a minimum of 60% of your working time will be spent in your contractual office location. Requirements to attend other office locations or off-site meetings will be counted towards this. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. There may be opportunities for candidates to work flexibly depending on the business needs. This will be discussed with the vacancy manager on a case-by-case basis, if you are successful for the role. 

Sift and Interview dates 
 
Sifting is envisaged to take place W/C 1st April 2024 with interview dates to be confirmed. All interviews are currently being held remotely via videocall. 

 

Reserve List 

In the event that we identify more appointable candidates than we currently have posts available, we will hold applicant details on a reserve list for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made. This may include roles at a lower grade. Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact recruitment@levellingup.gov.uk to be removed from the reserve list. 

 

CTC (Counter-terrorism Clearance): 

Important note 

 
Successful candidates for roles based in our 2 Marsham Street building must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check and the process can take up to 8 weeks to complete. 
 
Please note that successful candidates will need to pass the CTC security checks – this requires you to have been resident in the UK for the past 3 years. Please refer to the DLUHC Notes on Security Clearance section of our Candidate Pack for further information on Counter Terrorism Clearance (CTC).  
 

Candidates should also note that with effect from 1st August 2018 the department will also check all applicants who are successful at interview, against the Internal Fraud Database (IFD) held by the Cabinet Office. In accordance with the Civil Service Internal Fraud Policy, any applicant who is included on the IFD will be refused employment by DLUHC. Please see the Candidate Pack for further information on the Internal Fraud Database. 

 

Candidate Pack Information 

Please see attached Candidate pack for further information. 

 

Internal Fraud Database 

The Internal Fraud function of the Fraud, Error, Debt and Grants Function at the Cabinet Office processes details of civil servants who have been dismissed for committing internal fraud, or who would have been dismissed had they not resigned.The Cabinet Office receives the details from participating government organisations of civil servants who have been dismissed, or who would have been dismissed had they not resigned, for internal fraud. In instances such as this, civil servants are then banned for 5 years from further employment in the civil service. The Cabinet Office then processes this data and discloses a limited dataset back to DLUHC as a participating government organisations. DLUHC then carry out the pre employment checks so as to detect instances where known fraudsters are attempting to reapply for roles in the civil service. In this way, the policy is ensured and the repetition of internal fraud is prevented.  

For more information please see- Internal Fraud Register 

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 counter-terrorist 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.