GOVTALENT.UK

Soft Facilities Management Manager

This opening expired 8 months ago.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Location(s):
Weybridge
Salary:
£35,857 to £38,551
Job grade:
Higher Executive Officer
Business area:
Other
Contract type:
Permanent
Working pattern:
Full-time, Part-time

About the job

Job summary

Defra Group Property (DgP) manages the provision of facilities management services to Defra’s executive agency; the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). APHA uses a wide range of specialist facilities as part of its aims to safeguard animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy. 

These specialist facilities include biocontainment laboratories across the UK with the main laboratory campus being located at Weybridge. The Defra Weybridge site is the largest facility in terms of size and complexity across the Defra network and is currently going through a process of major investment (over £1b) and redevelopment in order to enhance its scientific capability. 

The site is at the forefront of research and diagnostic testing for animal and zoonotic diseases and leads on disease outbreak response for Defra.

The DgP Technical Services team at Weybridge fulfil the role of Intelligent Client Function (ICF) for FM services across DgP’s Science Estate.

Job description

We are looking for a Soft Facilities Management Manager to facilitate the smooth running of the Operations Team at the Weybridge site.  You will be responsible for managing the client side interface, and providing office management support to the Operations Team.  In addition to core supporting functions, this varied role offers opportunities for personal development including managing minor projects, working with our supply chain to ensure the delivery of soft services, and managing operational site coordination activities.

Key responsibilities:

  • Managing soft services, including grounds maintenance and the cleanliness of site, catering, front of house, pest control and land management;
  • Monitoring management information (data and transactional activity) identifying trends, to ensure the Operations team is working to defined processes and procedures;
  • Producing weekly and monthly operational reports and communicating outcomes to the business;
  • Engaging with the APHA business by running weekly and monthly client meetings and ensuring actions from meetings are completed;
  • Holding weekly facilities management meetings with the FM provider, tracking work items and their progress;
  • Liaising with IFM to provide visitors and staff with site security passes;
  • Acting as the main point of contact for customers and stakeholders of the Weybridge site, including managing any complaints or issues raised by local residents and ensuring issues are resolved;
  • Managing small to medium projects;
  • Contributing to the Business Case Proforma (BCP) process; and
  • Providing general support to the head of operations team, managing and tracking work and actions as needed.

Person specification

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

  • Experience of providing an efficient support function within a facilities management or building services environment, with customer facing experience;
  • Experience of coordinating a complex portfolio of services and tasks together with managing small to medium sized projects;
  • Excellent organisational and time management skills will be the ability to prioritise tasks;
  • Excellent communication skills both written and verbal;
  • The ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders and work well within a team; and
  • Evidence of continually improving processes, policies and ways of working.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,857, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £9,681 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.

Application Process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and Personal Statement on how you meet the essential experience/key criteria required for this role and why you are applying for the role. (max 750 words).

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

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 assessment/interview. 

Sifting will take place w/c 15th January 2024.

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Experience, Behaviours and Strengths.  

A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.

Interviews are expected to take place in person in Weybridge on the 6th of February, but may be subject to change. Interview location to be confirmed.

Location

Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

The role is based at the Defra Weybridge laboratory site. Weybridge / flexible hybrid with 4 days a week required on site in Weybridge. Travel may be required. 

Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Salary 

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

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 defrarecruitment.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 interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. 

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Criminal Record Check

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 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. 

Internal Fraud Database Check

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.

Childcare Vouchers 

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk



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.

Added: 9 months ago