Senior Property Advisor Wales
Job description
Working for the Civil Service
The Welsh Government's recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
Vacancy Details
Purpose of Post:
The Ukraine Response team was established earlier this year to lead on all policy and operational activities to support those arriving in Wales as part of the Welsh Government Super Sponsor and UK Government visa schemes.
Working closely with local authorities and local health boards, we have developed an infrastructure and support package to provide safe, suitable accommodation on arrival and wraparound services including health, education, language and support with finding work. A key priority is now to support Ukrainians to move into longer term and more settled accommodation.
The work of the Response team is interesting and dynamic and requires a range of skills and expertise. You will be working with internal departments and external stakeholders including UK Government, local authorities, and the wider public service and third sector to ensure those arriving are welcomed and successfully settled during their time in Wales.
This is a key appointment to Welsh Government’s Land Division. The post holder will primarily support the Ukraine response team by providing professional property advice to senior management, partners and stakeholders. They will support the development and delivery of the Transitional Accommodation Strategy for the provision of more good quality
transitional accommodation as part of the Welsh Government’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
Acting as an intelligent client the post holder will work closely with external consultants. Advice will include acquisitions and disposals, day to day property management and the provision of property and project assurance advice and guidance to Ministers, partners and stakeholders.
The post holder will have the opportunity to work with colleagues in Land Division managing and preparing sites with residential potential for disposal with the aim of maximising public value outcomes.
In support of asset collaboration and the rationalisation of the Welsh public sector estate there will be close collaboration with internal stakeholders, WG sponsored bodies, the wider public and third sectors including the NHS in Wales and the UK Government Property profession.
Key tasks:
- Work with Welsh Government colleagues to develop and deliver the transitional accommodation strategy which seeks to provide more good quality longer term accommodation to support the humanitarian response and the wider housing pressures being faced across Wales.
- Working with colleagues, stakeholders consultants, resolve legal, financial and subsidy issues concerning property transfers and management.
- Promote development of public sites for policy outcomes.
- Work with internal and external advisers to facilitate acquisition, management and transfer of Welsh Government sites and premises to maximise public value outcomes.
- Encourage and support collaboration in land and property activities across government and the wider public sector estate.
- Provide balanced and impartial property advice on potential acquisitions to internal and external stakeholders to ensure good governance is applied and value for money being achieved.
Development opportunities:
Closing Date:
Eligibility
Posts recruited to as part of this recruitment campaign are broadly open to UK nationals, those with right to remain and work in the UK and those that meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules only. Check your eligibility here:
UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK
Nationality rules – GOV.UK
Prior to appointment, all successful applicants will be required to produce original, acceptable documents as part of the pre-employment checks. If it becomes apparent at a later stage in the process that you aren’t eligible to apply, your application will be withdrawn, or offer retracted.
Equality and Diversity
The Welsh Government is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and which promote equality of opportunity. This is underpinned by the Equality Act 2010 and will be adhered to at each stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure that these commitments are also embedded in our day-to-day working practices with all our customers, colleagues and partners.
We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and increasing diversity in the Welsh Government by removing barriers and supporting all our staff to reach their potential. We are committed to recruiting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and disabled people who are currently under-represented in Welsh Government.
We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, marriage and civil partnership (both same sex and opposite sex), impairment or health condition, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, gender identity or gender expression.
We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a Disability Confident Level 3 (Leader) organisation. Key to supporting this work and providing peer support are five Board sponsored Staff Networks (Disability Awareness and Support (DAAS); Minority Ethnic Support Network (MESN); Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex +) and Women Together.
Disability Confident
The Welsh Government has adopted the social definition of disability, in which it is recognised that barriers in society act to disable people who have impairments or health conditions, who are neurodivergent or who use British Sign Language. We are committed to removing barriers so that all (or potential new) staff can perform at their best.
We guarantee to interview any disabled person who meets the minimum criteria for the post. By ‘minimum criteria’ we mean that you must provide us with evidence, at each stage of the assessment process before interview, which demonstrates you generally meet the job description requirements. We are committed to the employment and career development of disabled people.
If you have an impairment or health condition, if you are neurodivergent or use British Sign Language and need to discuss reasonable adjustments for any part of this recruitment process, or wish to discuss how we will put in place any adjustments if you were to be successful, please email [email protected] as soon as possible and a member of the team will contact you to discuss requirements and any questions you may have.
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
Welsh Language Requirements
The Welsh Government is a bilingual organisation and Welsh language skills are considered an asset to the organisation. We encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills in the workplace.
The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the line manager on behalf of the Welsh Government of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.
Social Partnership
In Welsh Government, the relationship between the employer and trade unions is based on social partnership. We believe our goals can best be achieved by management and trade unions working together.
- PCS
- Prospect
- FDA
This relationship is underpinned by a partnership agreement. This sets out how our unions work with Welsh Government on issues such as:
- pay
- terms and conditions
- policies and procedures
- organisational change.
Our Welsh Government trade union colleagues work together to give their members a real say in the workplace. They make sure that the interests of their members are promoted and protected. They also help reduce inequalities and improve terms and conditions.
The Welsh Government has an excellent track record of working in partnership with its trade unions. We encourage staff to get involved. We support you to join a recognised trade union, to ensure your voice is heard in the workplace. and to learn more about trade unions and partnership working.
Competencies / Job Specific Criteria
Competencies
The following Behaviours and Skills will be assessed at the interview stage.
- Seeing the Big Picture. Be alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact or benefit own and team’s work.
- Making Effective Decisions. Recognise patterns and trends in a wide range of evidence/data and draw key conclusions, outlining costs, benefits, risks and potential responses.
- Collaborating and Partnering. Establish relationships with a range of stakeholders to support delivery of business outcomes.
- Leading and Communicating. Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner with all stakeholders and stand ground when needed.
Job Specific Criteria
The following job specific criteria will be assessed at sift and interview stage.
In your CV and personal statement, please provide evidence (including specific examples) to show how you meet each of the Job Specific Criteria for this role.
- Fully qualified chartered surveyor or equivalent with a minimum of 5 years professional practice experience.
- Demonstrate an application of Knowledge and Expertise in the area of residential property acquisitions and disposals together with demonstrating a record of building effective working relationships with key internals and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrate an ability to develop, evaluate and negotiate commercial proposals in line with departmental and portfolio strategy, incorporating wider market knowledge. Support the ongoing management of commercial contracts, along with procurement of services or products in line with relevant business frameworks.
Assessment Process
There are 3 stages to the application and assessment process:
Stage 1 – Submit CV & Personal Statement
Please upload your CV and Personal statement (no more than 2 pages). We are particularly looking for you to demonstrate how you meet each of the Job Specific Criteria. You can find these in the Job Specific Criteria section of the advert.
- Please note that we will be assessing your CV and personal statement against the job specific criteria listed below . Ensure that your personal statement identifies how you meet the Job Specific Criteria. (approx. 300 words for each criterion).
Stage 2 – Sift of CV
After the closing date, all applicant’s CVs and personal statements will be assessed.
Candidates who successfully demonstrate that they meet the minimum Job Specific Criteria will be sent an online skills test/presentation (title ) duration 5 minutes).
Stage 3 – Skills Test (Online)
The skills test will be scheduled an hour prior to your interview
Interviews date is TBC.
Stage 4 – Interview
Your interview will be based on the Skills Profiles or Behaviours/Skills and Job Specific Criteria outlined in the sections of this advert.
At Interview stage you will be asked questions which will allow you to provide evidence (including specific examples) of how you meet each of the Job Specific Criteria and Behaviours and Skills required for this role.
Other Information
- Unless stated otherwise in ‘actual starting salary’, all candidates will start at the minimum of the pay scale being appointed to (this includes existing civil servants).This is not negotiable.
- Unless stated otherwise in ‘type of opportunity’, this recruitment advert is not open on a Loan or Secondment basis.
- For more information on the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions for Loan and Secondment positions in Welsh Government, please see external recruitment candidate guidance.
- Unless stated otherwise in ‘Location of Post’ the role/s recruited to via this campaign can only be worked in the UK, not overseas.
Benefits of Working in Welsh Government
Where can I work?
For a lot of roles, we are operating a hybrid approach to working - known as 'Smart Working'; this includes a blend of home and office-based working. You may have the opportunity to work from home depending on the business needs and commitments for your team. Your working arrangements will be discussed and agreed with your line manager when you join.
We will consider requests to work in specific locations based on personal circumstances like caring responsibilities or an impairment or health condition. Tell us your preferred locations in your CV in the ‘Location preferences’ box.
By applying for this role, you will be willing to work in one of the following locations as your base office:
- Cardiff, Bedwas, Merthyr Tydfil, Swansea, Aberystwyth, Llandudno Junction, Carmarthen
What are the benefits?
Working for the Welsh Government has many great benefits, including:
- The salary range for this grade is £41,700 - £49,370
- Individuals on Welsh Government terms and conditions will get 31 days holidays as well as 10 public and privilege days.
- We offer flexible working arrangements to help you get the right work/life balance.
- You will also be eligible for membership of the Civil Service Pension Scheme
Other benefits
- Flexible Working – We support staff in managing their work-life balance through working from home (subject to business need and if appropriate for the role)
- Working Patterns – Different options are available: Full Time, Part Time, Job-Share, Condensed Hours, Term-time etc. (subject to business need and if appropriate for the role)
- Green Car Scheme – Which allow you to lease a brand new ultra-low carbon emission car and pay for it through salary sacrifice
- Supportive Finance – Advance of salary loans for a range of situations including: season travel tickets, eye-care, IT equipment, Cycle2Work and more
- Parental Leave – 26 weeks maternity/adoption leave on full pay and 15 days paternity leave
- Wellbeing Time – Dedicated wellbeing hour each week for use in office hours. Whether this is a walk in the local park, yoga, meditation or gym, this is time for you
- Pay – Competitive increments throughout the pay bands
- Training and Progression - Access to training and development tailored to your role
- Inclusion and Diversity – We encourage a rich and diverse workplace, where everyone feels able to be themselves, and no one feels discriminated against
- Staff Engagement – We have a wide range of very active and welcoming networks including: Autism, Carers, Women Together, PRISM (our LGBTQ+ network) and many more
- Safety and Occupational Health – Dedicated teams to provide staff with help and support needed most
- Mental Health – Employee Assistance Programme and a dedicated helpline to support staff to manage their mental health
- Up to date IT Equipment – Laptops with Office 365 will give you greater flexibility in when, how and where you work
- 3 Unions – There are 3 unions currently active in our organisation
How to apply
All applications for this vacancy should be made online via the Welsh Government's online application system. If you have an impairment which would prevent you from applying on-line, please e-mail [email protected] to request an application pack in an alternative format, or to request a reasonable adjustment related to an impairment in order to submit your application.
To apply, you'll need to have an account on our online application system. Click the 'Apply' button below, and you'll be asked to 'Log in' if you already have an account, or 'Register' if you don't yet have an account. Registration takes just a few minutes to complete. You'll need an e-mail address to be able to register. Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form, which you'll need to fully complete and submit before the deadline on the closing date.
If you’d like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the ‘Newid Iaith / Change Language’ link at the top of this page, to take you to the Welsh version of this advert, from which you can apply in Welsh.
When evidencing your suitability for the post, it is recommended that you refer to the Civil Service Competency Framework (link)
Grievance and Complaints
