Client Representative
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 28th May 2024
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About the job
Job summary
The HSEQ, Security, and Delivery Infrastructure Function brings together key professions in one place to focus efforts into achieving our Health, Safety, & Wellbeing; Quality; Security, Risk, and Information Management; and Environmental ambitions, and to enable efficient and effective management of our property assets (Lowestoft and East sites; Weymouth and West sites; and RV Cefas Endeavour).
To fully support our Cefas 2030 strategy we are committed to continually improving what we do and how we do it to facilitate the delivery of excellent science by providing and maintaining safe, quality, professional facilities that allow us to deliver safely, efficiently, sustainably, and innovatively.
There is currently an opportunity to join the group in delivering our ambitions in the role of Client Representative at Weymouth. This important role has the responsibility of ensuring the organisation receives a positive, safe, end to end user experience throughout the life cycle of prioritised site/facilities related operations, improvements, and investment works.
The role will report into the HSEQ, Security and Delivery Infrastructure Group, working closely with Science Infrastructure, H&S teams, the Strategic lead for Property, Defra Group Property, and external partners & supply chain to ensure safe and effective delivery of operations and changes to our sites and facilities. The post holder will support Cefas colleagues through improvement works, and facilitate smooth operations into business as usual, ensuring Cefas colleagues have a great experience when working at our sites and using our facilities.
Cefas is proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We know that having a range of experiences, backgrounds, ways of working and thinking, makes us a stronger organisation, better at reflecting the communities we serve. We embrace different views and experiences and value the fresh perspective that people from a variety of circumstances bring to the work we do. We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, gender, age, ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.
Job description
Your main duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
As Weymouth site lead for Health & Safety the post holder will be a key point of operational contact, providing advice and input on all aspects of operations at Weymouth and it’s critical, that they understand relevant H&S requirements, sites & facilities procedures, user needs, and the strategic priorities of the HSEQ, Security & DI Group to assure effective organisational support and decision making.
The role has a key responsibility to ensure the organisation receives a positive, safe, quality end to end user experience throughout our laboratory, site and facilities related operations, improvements, and investment works.
This will be delivered by ensuring that suitable management arrangements are in place for all relevant works with a focus on robust health and safety planning and delivery, making sure standards are maintained into business as usual.
An important part of the role will focus on fostering great stakeholder relationships internally and externally through excellent communications, engagement, and information management, for example:
- Interfacing with internal stakeholders, key partners, contractors, and Project Managers (e.g., for any adaptations to our sites and facilities). Providing a primary point of contact for Cefas as ‘client rep’;
- Understanding delivery risks and opportunities associated with improvement/development works and managing/exploiting to reduce negative and boost positive outcomes;
- Providing critical works information to contractors and ensuring those physically delivering works are equipped with necessary information, instruction, and training;
- Fostering a collaborative culture between all stakeholders to enable others to perform their duties;
- Providing improvement/development SROs and Champions with information that provides assurance that the prioritised work will deliver expected outcomes. Being open to challenge and change when needed;
- Engaging with the HSEQ, Security & DI Group’s strategy owners, delivery teams, and wider Cefas colleagues (users) to provide effective communication on progress, issues, risks, impacts, and outcomes;
- Planning and transitioning individual improvements/investments into business as usual; and
- Developing and applying relevant Cefas processes and systems to tasks and deploying effective change management control.
In addition, Cefas reserves the right to ask staff to take on additional duties and responsibilities which are commensurate with their grade. Team Leaders and management will have a discussion with staff to explain the changes that are to be made. A new job description will be issued if required.
Person specification
The following are essential criteria required for this role and you must be able to demonstrate your skills and experience in the following areas:
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, planning, and organisational skills;
- Good understanding of our H&S management system, and relevant legislation;
- Understanding and applying the principles of risk management;
- Effective project management capability and understanding of the components of site and facilities related design/build projects;
- Developing and implementing safe systems of work (operating procedures, risk assessments etc.);
- Ability to identify, build and manage strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders;
- High attention to detail on a range of information with a focus on strong records management;
- Ability to work under pressure and be able to organise yourself and other relevant delivery colleagues;
- Able to demonstrate the motivation to develop, manage and deliver high quality outcomes, striving for continuous improvement;
- Forward thinking, innovative and understands the wider implications of the task being undertaken;
- Participating in incident investigations and identifying root causes; and
- To hold an NEBOSH general certificate in occupational health and safety, or to hold the IOSH Managing Safely qualification and be prepared to undertake the NEBOSH certification as prioritised developmental learning.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Leadership
Benefits
- Generous annual leave entitlement – Cefas offers 25 days' annual leave on entry (rising to 30 days over first 5yrs) for full-time new entrants to the Civil Service. Employees receive 8 public holidays a year, plus an additional day to mark the King's birthday
- Access to learning and development tailored to your role
- A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
- Eligible to join the Civil Service Pension scheme – more information can be found on the CSP website http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/
- Staff recognition vouchers
- In-year award scheme
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process you are asked to provide a CV (job history, qualifications, past skills and experience), a 750-word Personal Statement on how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification section, and a 250-word statement on how you meet the advertised lead behaviour – Leadership.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
- For guidance on Civil Service Success Profiles, this video tells you what you’ll need to provide throughout the assessment process with supporting guidance on each step. Link – Success Profiles
- For guidance on how to construct your CV, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link - CV
- For guidance on how to construct your personal statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link – Statement
- For guidance on how to construct your lead behaviour statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link – Behaviours
Sift
The sift panel will use the information in your CV and Personal Statement to assess your experience and how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification section. The sift panel will also assess the lead behaviour statement – Leadership.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour – Leadership. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or, progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the three advertised behaviours, your experience (as stated in the person specification section) and strengths. You may also be asked to prepare a presentation or undertake an exercise. If this is the case, you will receive further information with your invitation to interview.
Please be aware that at this time, interviews will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams.
If scores are equal following interview, an assessment of the lead behaviour – Leadership, will be used by the panel.
Location
Please be aware that this role will be contractually based at Weymouth.
As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s)
Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.
Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.
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.
Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
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
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 : Cally Wiles or Alec Wilson
- Email : resourcing@cefas.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission.
