Ministry of Justice UK

22493 - Estates and Health & Safety Planning Lead

Ministry of Justice UK  •  Federal Republic of Germany (Hybrid)  •  23 hours ago
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Job Description

General Information

Salary

The national salary range is £42,914 - £46,182, London salary range is £49,325 - £53,081. Your salary will be dependent on your base location

Working Pattern

Full Time, Flexible Working

Vacancy Approach

External

Location

National

Region

National

Closing Date

05-Oct-2026

Post Type

Fixed Term, Detached Duty, Loan, Secondment

Civil Service Grade

SEO

Number of jobs available

1

Reserve List

12 Months

Job ID

22493

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Role: Estates and Health & Safety Planning Lead

Business: Office of Public Guardian (OPG)

Location: National

Grade: SEO

Salary: £49,325-£53,081 London, £42,914-£46,182 National

Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 Months)

Minimum Hours: 37

Organisational Overview

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and finance. We are an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), set up in 2007 following the introduction of the Mental Capacity Act of 2005.

OPG is responsible for registering lasting powers of attorney (LPA) and enduring powers of attorney (EPA) and supervising deputies who are appointed by the Court of Protection.

OPG is a fantastic place to work offering a range of development opportunities. The OPG is a disability confident employer and is committed to developing a supportive and inclusive environment that reflects the diverse community we serve.

OPG is currently delivering an ambitious transformation programme. This will change the way we provide services and help us meet the growing needs of our users, partners and our stakeholders. It will make sure our users experience a better level of support and will help us to respond to the changing needs of society. Transformation will ensure we can better support adults at risk and create high-quality services that are accessible and affordable.

Team Overview

The Estates team sits within the Central Services Directorate and has two separate teams present at both Embankment House in Nottingham and Victoria Square House in Birmingham.

The OPG Estates and Health & Safety functions ensure the smooth and efficient operation of facilities management duties on a day-to-day basis. We manage this at both Victoria Square House and Embankment House and deliver essential services such as maintenance, property and leasehold, cleaning, and facilities management. We also undertake Display Screen Assessments, order office equipment and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. Many of these services are business critical and we cannot safely open our offices without them. Other duties include such things as, working with and consulting with key contractors, and suppliers, raising orders for workplace maintenance, issuing of government passes to new staff members and providing facilities information via digital channels to ensure staff are kept updated.

Purpose of the role

This role will play a key part in shaping and delivering the Office of the Public Guardian's future Estates Strategy, ensuring estates, facilities management and health and safety services are efficient, sustainable and fit for the organisation's long-term needs. Working across multiple sites, the post holder will lead strategic reviews, organisational redesign and continuous improvement initiatives to create a more integrated and flexible operating model, delivering value for money and improved service outcomes. The role will use data and insight to inform decision-making, support workforce planning beyond 2030, and work closely with senior leaders, HR, Trade Unions and other stakeholders to drive transformational change and build a high-performing estates function aligned to future business requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Lead the review and evaluation of existing Estates, Facilities Management and Health & Safety operating models, processes and practices, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, effectiveness and service quality.
  • Support the development and delivery of the organisation's long-term Estates Strategy, ensuring estates and workplace services are aligned to future business needs, workforce requirements and organisational priorities beyond 2030.
  • Deliver high-quality analysis of estates operations, workforce structures and service delivery models, using evidence and insight to inform strategic decision-making and transformation activity.
  • Produce and present clear, data-driven recommendations and business cases to senior leaders, demonstrating the benefits, impacts and value for money opportunities associated with service redesign, workforce restructuring and estates transformation.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across Estates, Facilities Management and Health & Safety functions, promoting innovation, best practice and operational excellence.
  • Lead work to harmonise and integrate estates-related services across multiple sites, identifying opportunities to create a more flexible, multi-skilled workforce while improving resilience and reducing duplication.
  • Work in partnership with Human Resources Business Partners and key stakeholders to review organisational structures, role profiles and workforce planning assumptions, supporting future workforce requirements and resource forecasting beyond 2030.
  • Build and maintain effective relationships with Trade Unions, HR colleagues and other stakeholders to ensure transformation proposals align with employment legislation, organisational policies and good employee relations practices.
  • Collaborate with Learning and Development teams to identify capability gaps and develop training solutions that strengthen organisational compliance with Health & Safety responsibilities and support workforce development.
  • Engage with internal and external stakeholders to influence strategic planning, secure buy-in for change initiatives and ensure successful implementation of estates transformation programmes.
  • Contribute to wider corporate priorities and undertake additional duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post.

Agreed Expectations

The successful candidate will be expected to work from their base location on a weekly basis in line with current Civil Service requirements, outside of any reasonable adjustments. The role requires travel to both Nottingham and Birmingham offices

Skills & Qualifications

Essential Skills

Essential Skills

  • Property, Facilities Management and Health & Safety experience: Experience of delivering improvements within Property, Estates, Facilities Management and/or Health & Safety functions, with the ability to assess service performance, challenge existing ways of working and identify opportunities for transformation.
  • Strategic Thinking and Planning: Ability to contribute to the development and delivery of long-term estates and workplace strategies, aligning services with organisational objectives, workforce requirements and future business needs.
  • Business Change and Transformation: Experience of leading or supporting organisational change, service redesign and continuous improvement initiatives to deliver improved outcomes and value for money.
  • Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Strong ability to analyse complex information, interpret data and identify trends, risks and opportunities to support evidence-based decision-making.
  • Stakeholder Engagement and Influencing: Ability to build effective relationships and influence a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leaders, operational teams, HR, Trade Unions and external partners.
  • Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively to a variety of audiences.
  • Workforce Planning and Organisational Design: Understanding of workforce planning principles and experience supporting organisational restructures, role redesign and future resource modelling.
  • Project and Programme Delivery: Ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate workstreams and deliver outcomes within agreed timescales and quality standards.
  • Continuous Improvement: Experience of identifying inefficiencies, challenging existing ways of working and implementing improvements to enhance service delivery and customer outcomes.
  • Collaboration and Team Working: Ability to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries, bringing together teams and stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.
  • Commercial and Financial Awareness: Understanding of value for money principles and the ability to identify efficiencies, savings and productivity improvements within service delivery models.

Desirable Skills

  • Membership of IWFM
  • Briefing experience to senior management

Application process

This recruitment will follow the Civil Service Success Profile process. Candidates will be expected to complete the following as part of the application:

  • Personal statement no more than 1000 words which will be assessed against the essential skills above.
  • Behaviours will be assessed at Level 3 (SEO)
  • Changing and Improving (500 words) -Lead

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be under taken using the lead criteria/Behaviour:

  • Changing and Improving

Interview Process

If you are successful at sift, you will be invited to an interview which will use the Civil Service Success Profiles. At interview, candidates should expect questions on:

  • The following Behaviours at Level 3
  • Seeing The Big Picture>
  • Changing and Improving- A 5-minute presentation >
  • Communicating and Influencing >
  • Strengths relevant to the role

All interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

Reasonable Adjustments

At OPG we consider all applications on the basis of merit and want you to feel able to demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you require any reasonable adjustments for any aspect of the selection process, do not hesitate to get in contact with us.

As a Disability Confident organisation, we will offer a guaranteed interview to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for this role. If you are applying for a role within OPG and would like to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please indicate this in your application and let us know of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the selection process.

For further information on benefits of working for OPG, such as our Flexible Working Policy and a FAQ, please check the candidate information pack attached to this advert.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, we may offer you an alternative role at the same or lower grade should one be available.

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

  • To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
  • To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
  • To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

Diversity & 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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.

For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • 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) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 22493

HMPPS:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 22493

Job Description Attachment

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Application form stage assessments

Behaviours

A sift based on the lead behaviour, Changing and Improving, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.

Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit

500

Changing and Improving

Experience

We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods

Statement of Suitability

Statement of Suitability

Guidance for the Statement of Suitability

Personal statement no more than 1000 words which will be assessed against the essential skills

Evidence of Experience

Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates

Expected late October early November 2026

Behaviours

Changing and Improving

Communicating and Influencing

Seeing the Big Picture

Strengths

Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.

Level of security checks required

Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Ministry of Justice UK

About Ministry of Justice UK

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Industry
Government & Public Safety
Company Size
10,000+ employees
Headquarters
London, GB
Year Founded
2007
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