Senior Research and Policy Officer - Building Standards (Band 3 / SEO)

We are looking for a senior policy and research officer to lead on the development of a wide portfolio of work on the national Building Regulations standards for England. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and commissioning research to support the Government’s national technical standards, and undertaking policy and project management work to improve the technical standards of the Building Regulations.
Part time working hours are available for this role. We can accept part time applicants who can commit to working a minimum of 30 hours per week., The vacancy is for one Band 3 professional to lead on a wide range of work packages in support of Government priorities in relation to Building Regulations and standards. The job offers outstanding opportunities for the right candidates to use their knowledge to ensure Ministers have expert advice; to enable the Government to successfully influence the national agenda; to oversee critical research projects; and to engage effectively with key partners in industry and government. The candidate will lead on important project work, including managing external contractors and driving forward improvements to national building standards.
The post will be within a team of technical specialists and policy generalists responsible for a range of regulations including those for the energy efficiency of buildings, accessibility, acoustics, resistance to contaminants and moisture, and for ventilation standards., + Developing, commissioning and managing a programme of research relating to building standards, working with HSE’s in-house technical specialists and science division, and external supply chain partners.
+ Working on the development, design and implementation of policy on Building Regulations and standards.
+ Building relationships with a range of stakeholders internal and external to government; and
+ Drafting advice and briefings for ministers and senior officials.
This role may include occasional travel to other HSE offices including some potential overnight stays., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Working Together
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Delivering at Pace, It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful in their application. For a summary of HSE terms and conditions as part of Civil Service Reform, please see the attached HSE Terms and Conditions document.
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 D&I Strategy.
HSE is proud to be a part of the Disability Confidence Scheme (DCS). As a Disability Confident employer, we positively welcome applications from disabled people. We are committed to making workplace adjustments to ensure anyone can participate in the recruitment and selection process.
We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all disabled applicants who provide evidence of meeting the minimum requirements necessary for the post.
If, during the application or interview process, you require any assistance due to a disability or a medical condition, please contact us at the email address below to discuss how we can support you. For example if you have a disability, and you need an application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please contact: hr.resourcing-team@hse.gov.uk
If successful in securing your role, HSE can provide suitable workplace adjustments to support you throughout your career with HSE.
Any move to HSE from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here
Please note, if you are a current civil servant and you are currently undergoing any of the following formal actions your application will not be progressed any further; Formal discipline action, any formal action regarding attendance, poor performance or any restriction of duties as a result of disciplinary action.
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.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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).

Candidates will be expected to deal with a variety of audiences including Government departments, academia, engineering institutions, trade bodies, and the construction industry, and should have excellent communication, influencing and negotiating skills. Candidates should have demonstrable skills in running complex projects and managing contracts. A broad-based understanding and experience of the construction industry and technologies is beneficial, but not essential.
Essential skills and criteria;
+ A proven ability to take on and proactively lead on particularly complex and contentious policy, research or other strategic issues that require consideration of the bigger picture as well as working closely with experts.
+ Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to succinctly explain complex and/or technical issues to diverse stakeholders.
+ A team player, able to build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders from different background and disciplines to deliver common goals.
+ Able to proactively and autonomously prioritise your time, and that of others, to deliver shared team goals in a time-pressured environment.

The Building Safety Regulator is the Government’s technical authority on buildings. As part of its duties to keep the safety and standard of buildings under review, the regulator develops the technical standards for buildings, including the full suite of Approved Documents.

Alongside your salary of £45,954, Health and Safety Executive contributes £13,312 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role
+ An environment with flexible working options
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
We invest in our people with;
+ Competitive rates of pay
+ Access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme to which HSE contribute 28.97%, far more than in the private sector.
+ Family friendly policies and working hours to help balance your home life and career
+ Carer friendly policies to help create a supportive working culture
+ 25 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays and 1-day Civil Service privilege leave
+ Parental leave benefits
+ As a member of HSE you will gain access to a wide range of fantastic benefits that you can take advantage of such as the Cycle to Work Scheme, E-Gift Cards and Vouchers via our partner EdenRed.