Reference number
361648
Salary
ÂŁ31,863 – ÂŁ34,381
A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Job grade
Higher Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Fixed term
Secondment
Length of employment
One permanent post and one FTA or secondment post until March 2025
Business area
OEP – Insights – Insight
Type of role
Analytical
Environment and Sustainability
Operational Research
Social Research
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Number of jobs available
2
Contents
Location
Northern Ireland, West Midlands (England)
About the job
Job summary
Are you passionate about the environment?
Do you enjoy working with scientific information, experts, universities, and research centres to understand the latest environmental evidence and trends?
Can you analyse and summarise complex evidence and information and prepare clear, accessible reports for Ministers, Parliament, and the public?
If so, then we want to hear from you.
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) mission is to protect and restore the natural environment. Created by the Environment Act 2021, our role is to hold Government and public bodies to account, to make sure the environment is improved. We do this in several ways, including reporting on progress against environmental plans, goals and targets, advising on changes to environmental laws and receiving complaints from the public, which can lead to us taking enforcement action.
This role is in the OEPâs Insights Directorate which is the analytical centre of the organisation. The scope of our work is broad and the OEPâs priority areas over the next three years are improving nature, clean water and effective governance; as well as developing our work on waste, chemicals, the marine environment and soils.
With a total staff of just over 70, we are a dynamic, friendly and flexible organisation covering both England and Northern Ireland, and environmental matters reserved to the UK government. We offer flexible working arrangements, high profile, dynamic work and the chance to have an impact on improving the state of the environment.
To find out more about the OEP, what we do, who we are and our current work, visit the OEP website.
The OEP is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra which means it operates independently from Defra and is not part of the UK Civil Service. Our employees are public servants.
Job description
The Insights Directorate leads on progressing the OEPâs strategic objective of holding government to account for delivery of environmental goals and targets, and its plans for environmental improvement.
Through our monitoring and reporting, we analyse and comment on governmentâs progress. We make recommendations on how progress could be improved across the goals, targets and plans. We also provide commentary and advice on the adequacy of environmental monitoring.
The role-holder will support the directorate in performing its full range of key functions including:
- Monitoring, critically assessing, and reporting on governmentâs progress in improving the natural environment in accordance with the Environmental Improvement Plans in England and in Northern Ireland.
- Development and successful running of the organisationâs science evidence base and capability.
- Analytical input to executive briefings, advice to ministers and other statutory monitoring and reporting.
This could include supporting across several of the following activities:
- Publish a report to independently assess the governmentâs progress in delivering its environmental improvement plan and against environmental targets for England, making recommendations for improvement.
- Publish a report to independently assess the Northern Ireland executiveâs environmental improvement plan, when in place.
- Provide and publish advice to the Northern Ireland and UK governments on their Environmental Improvement Plans, goals and targets, as they are adopted or revised.
- Evaluate and report on the UK governmentâs approach to its required test of whether environmental targets will significantly improve the natural environment in England.
- Scrutinise governmentâs progress in areas the OEP has identified as priorities, this year in nature, water and environmental governance as well as developing our work on waste, chemicals, the marine environment and soils.
- Develop and deliver a research programme to identify critical gaps in evidence and understanding of the natural environment, policy, and delivery plans
- Support and develop our college of independent experts.
- Develop insights in delivering sustained environmental improvement across the marine, terrestrial, freshwater and air environments.
The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
The OEP work on a wide variety of issues at any given time, and we are looking for people who are be able to work flexibly across multiple work areas, and who have the enthusiasm to help us grow as an organization. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, we would love you to get in touch.
To see recent examples of the work that the OEP Insights directorate has been involved in, please check our website; visit the OEP website.
Information Webinars
We are hosting a webinarâŻduring the application period to provide potential candidates with the opportunity to meet the team, to find out more about the role and to ask questions. Webinar will be held on 19 August at 13:00-13:45. To attend the webinar please click on the following link.
Person specification
Essential Criteria;
- Degree level educated in an environmental natural or social science, or equivalent experience.
- Ability to think and operate strategically, ensuring plans and activities reflect the broader political, economic, legal and social context.
- Use sound judgement and critical thinking to analyse and tackle complex issues, at pace.
- Experience in the collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation of evidence using quantitative and qualitative methods.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex analysis clearly and confidently both verbally and in writing for multiple audiences.
- Experience of working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and with stakeholders.
- Be a strong team player, with a flexible and adaptable mindset, able to work across a wide range of projects and change direction quickly in response to changing demands.
- Excellent organisational skills, a good planner and manager of own work, and ability to take initiative and be highly proactive in progressing work as well as seeking review and steer on a regular basis.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Seeing the Big Picture
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Analytical skills: The ability to analyse and interpret information to identify gaps and recommend improvements.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of ÂŁ31,863, Office for Environmental Protection contributes ÂŁ8,603 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Leave and Flexible Working
The OEP offers 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days over 5 years for all new entrants.
Additional paid leave is available where necessary to cater for a variety of situations including, but not limited to, family-related leave, volunteering days, exam and study leave, public duties and trade union activities. In addition, we offer a generous enhanced maternity leave, parental leave and shared parental leave policy.
The OEP is supportive of flexible working and has a flexible working policy to allow for variations in individuals working hours where this is compatible with business need.
Performance Management and In Year Bonus Scheme
The OEP is committed to promoting a high-performing culture for all employees. Performance and development management is key to developing trusting relationships between managers and employees so that they can be their best and thrive at work. Every individual will have a performance management plan which will be reviewed on a regular basis.
The OEP has a quarterly âIn-year Bonus Schemeâ where individuals and/ or teams can be recognised for outstanding one-off contributions and achievements.
Learning and Development
The OEP is a learning organisation and strongly supports the continuous professional development of all employees through both personal and work related study. The OEP will pay for one relevant profession membership per employee to support continuous professional development.
Every employee has access to five days learning and development each year to support professional development. This could be through Civil Service Learning mandatory and voluntary learning, corporate inductions, staff events and welcome days as well as relevant professional qualifications and specific courses.
Staff Wellbeing
Staff wellbeing is extremely important and the OEP strives to provide access to numerous resources to aid the wellbeing of its employees. Current initiatives include:
- Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing free and confidential 24/7 telephone advice and guidance to support employees with both personal and employment issues. This may include personal wellbeing, career development or legal matters such as landlord / tenant disputes.
- Access to an Occupational Health Service to provide a range of support service to help with the way you feel at work.
- Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders and wider Defra Group mental health first aid network and resources.
- Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness, meditation and sleep app.
- Access to a Financial Wellbeing Portal.
- Free eye tests and a contribution to glasses/ lenses if required for VDU use.
Salary Sacrifice, Discounts and SmartTech Benefits
All employees have access to the STaR, Reward Gateway an online platform providing access to hundreds of discounts, offers and cashback options with well-known retailers. They offer a SmartTech scheme, a Cash Healthcare plan and numerous other benefits and services.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Application Process
The OEP uses the Civil Service Success Profile framework which is made up of five elements: Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical. It is strongly recommend you have a look at the Success Profiles to enable you to make the best application possible.
When writing or presenting behaviours, the OEP recommends you use the STAR format to present your answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV detailing qualifications and work history; a 500 word statement of suitability on how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification in the advert; and one behaviour statement on the Lead behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture.
The personal statement is a very important part of your application. Review the person specification and essential experience and skills criteria on the job description and outline how you meet it providing specific and relevant examples. These could be from work, volunteering, training or education.
Further details are provided on the application form.
Sift
After the closing date, your application will be reviewed against the essential sift criteria outlined for the role.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture.
Once the sift has concluded, applicants will be notified of the outcome shortly after the closing date. Please note that feedback will not be given to applications at sift stage.
Interview and ID Verification
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on experience, behaviours, Strengths and Technical elements.
At interview, you may be required to deliver a presentation or complete an additional exercise. If this is required, details will be sent alongside your invite to interview.
Interviews will be held In-person at the Worcester Office or at our touchdown space in Northern Ireland (The Scottish Provident Building, Belfast). Travel and subsistence costs will not be reimbursed for candidates travelling to interview.
Appointments
All appointments will be made in merit order.
Identification
Candidates will need to bring ID to interview for verification in person. Human Resources will contact you to advise what ID you need to bring.
Following interview, ID will need to be checked for Right to Work and BPSS security clearance. This will be done by secure online platforms via the Government Recruitment Service.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. All appointments will be made in merit order.
Near Miss Appointments
On occasion candidates may attend interview for the advertised post but will narrowly miss the standard required at interview. The OEP may, where appropriate, consider such candidates for alternative, similar posts at a lower grade.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
Location and Office Attendance
All OEP roles are based in Worcester and/ or Northern Ireland. This roles are based in either Northern Ireland or Worcester.
All GB employees will be contractually based at the Worcester office. The OEP embraces a blended working model and supports a combination of office and home working which will be dependent on business need and individual circumstances. Our current office attendance approach requires 40% attendance in one of the OEP offices or on official OEP business at offsite meetings with partners and customers. This approach enables thriving workplaces to connect with colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs balanced with personal flexibility and choice.
If GB based, travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to the Worcester office.
Employees based in Northern Ireland will be contractually home based. There will be an expectation of travel to Worcester but this will be dependent on business need and individual circumstances. As a guideline, itâs envisaged that travel to Worcester would be between 4 and 6 times a year, fully funded by the OEP. However, travel will be a 2-way commitment, with other OEP staff members being expected to travel to NI at a similar frequency.âŻNorthern Ireland based staff currently have access to a touch down space in Belfast to enable collaborative working.
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 the OEP at recruitment@theoep.org.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Complete the âAssistance requiredâ section in the âAdditional requirementsâ 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 youâre 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
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Access NI 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.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please note that the OEP is not a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License Sponsor and is unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to the OEP 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 atâŻhttps://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.
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.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name :OEP Recruitment
- Email :recruitment@theoep.org.uk
Recruitment team
- Email :recruitment@theoep.org.uk
Further information
Complaints If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the OEP via email: recruitment@theoep.org.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the OEP, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.
Attachments
| OEP Candidate Pack Jun 24 Opens in new window(pdf, 1870kB) |
