Casework Area Lead
Planning Inspectorate
Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 26th September 2024
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Type of role
Planning
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About the job
Job summary
This role will involve leading a team who programme casework to a range of different Inspectors, Appeal Planning Officers and Apprentices to ensure the organisation meets its key casework ambitions.
The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.
We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.
For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please see the information pack attached. You can also view our careers page at Civil Service Careers
Job description
In this role, you need to be a creative problem-solver with excellent communication skills who is able to work with others across the organisation to achieve the organisation’s casework aims in the face of difficult resource deployment decisions as well as needing to meet career progression aspirations of staff. Additionally, you will be able to provide strong leadership and support to your team – both in terms of helping them to make decisions on casework and in supporting their own personal development.
Reporting directly to the Operations Manager, you will lead your teams which includes managing resources, promoting, and facilitating flexible and efficient working to ensure we meet agreed operational performance and quality standards.
Oversee, and support your teams to ensure they are building sustainable and efficient programmes of work for a wide range of Inspectors, meeting any objectives and priorities set. Establish professional relationships with other areas and develop a wide range of contacts outside your own team.
Through the analysis of reports, you will manage business area performance to ensure the smooth running of the teams ensuring we meet any priorities but also align any activities to contribute to the wider organisation priorities. Review the success of activities in the teams and identify barriers to progress or challenging objectives.
Support and provide advice to your team leaders, identify gaps in your own and your teams knowledge. You will work with others and help to identify areas for improvement and simplify processes to use fewer resources where possible and support any technological changes. You will champion any changes, help explain reasons for change but also help implement them, whilst supporting individuals in your teams where necessary.
For full information on the role and assessment process please refer to the candidate pack attached.
Office Attendance
This role is contractually based at Temple Quay House, Bristol which is currently out of use due to undergoing refurbishment work. In the interim, we have the use of alternative office space in very close proximity to Bristol Temple Meads railway station. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Experience of managing a number of people or a number of teams;
- Management or leadership experience to confidently and pro-actively manage and mentor a team.
- Experience of delivering against exacting performance targets in an operational environment;
- Ability to work under pressure to exacting timescales
- The ability to understand, interpret and make informed decisions in relation to complex legislation and processes.
- Well developed analytical and problem solving
- Good communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and concisely with all levels of staff and external stakeholders.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
- Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
- 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King’s birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
- Generous family friendly policies.
- Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 10 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application
Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:
- A CV: The CV section is an opportunity for you to detail your career history. It should outline the jobs you have done, the length of time you were employed within each role and a brief description of your role, responsibilities and duties which demonstrate relevance to the role you are applying for against the essential criteria. You must type, or ‘copy and paste’ into the text box called ‘Employment History’ within the online application. You cannot attach a copy of your CV.
- A Personal Statement (1000 words max): The personal statement allows you to outline your suitability for the role in more depth, expanding on your CV evidence. It is an opportunity for you to provide evidence against the essential criteria listed within the candidate pack on the Person Specification page and link your answers to the listed Success Profile elements we are also assessing against .
We will assess your application on the evidence you have provided against the Essential Criteria detailed in the Person Specification in the candidate pack.
In the event of a large number of applications, a lead sift may take place. The following point will be used as the lead criteria when shortlisting if this happens, and if you do not meet the minimum standard the rest of your application will not be assessed.
- Experience of managing a number of people or a number of teams
All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.
Interview
If you are shortlisted, you will:
- Be asked to attend an interview to have a more in-depth discussion about your experience and suitability for the role
- Interviews will be a blend of behaviour and strength experience questions
Candidates who are successful at shortlist stage will be sent full assessment requirements with their interview invitations.
Other Information
Shortlist Date: between 27 September and 03 October 2024
Interview Date: between 09 and 10 October 2024
Interviews are currently being completed remotely using Microsoft Teams. We would like to reassure candidates that the virtual interview will not be recorded (or retained) within the Planning Inspectorate, other than usual interview protocol and in line with the Civil Service jobs Privacy notice.
We encourage all candidates to make themselves familiar with the role and what we will be assessing you against which is detailed in the Person Specification.
The Planning Inspectorate is committed to finding the right person for the job. We recruit using Success Profiles and consider the criteria you will need to demonstrate to be successful for the role.
ID and Documents
If specific qualifications/memberships are essential for the role and you are successful, you will be asked to provide accurate scanned or photographed images of the qualifications/memberships that you listed on your application prior to your start date.
We must check that any successful candidates are allowed to work for the Civil Service before we employ them. If successful, you will be asked to do a right to work check using identity document validation technology (IDVT) through the services of an Identity Service Provider (IDSP), Civil Service Jobs. If we are unable to confirm your right to work and through the IDVT we will need to do a manual right to work check using original documents with you in person.
Visa Sponsorship
The Planning Inspectorate cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates, we do not hold a Visa sponsorship licence.
Disability Confident Interview scheme
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We run a Disability Confident Interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.
To be considered for an interview under the scheme you must:
- have a disability defined by the Equality Act 2010
- provide evidence in your application that you meet the minimum criteria in the job description
- meet all of the qualifications, skills or experience defined as essential
While we will endeavour to provide you with all the appropriate information, you are the expert on your specific requirements so if you require any adjustments, you should consider the information provided about the assessment process in the candidate pack and then:
- 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. The earlier and more clearly you tell us what you need and why you need it, the more likely we are to be able to accommodate you in a timely fashion.
All Planning Inspectorate colleagues must meet the baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window). This is a series of basic security checks to confirm identity and employment history.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Si Rogerson
- Email : PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response, you receive you should then contact, Chief People Officer, via the Recruitment Team (PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk).
If you are still not satisfied with the response you receive from the Planning Inspectorate, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commission. https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-complaints/
