Policy Writer

Heike-Maria Schmidt * text-studio-IT; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Government Property Agency seeks a Higher Executive Officer Policy Writer to join their dynamic team focused on redefining and improving policies across the UK government estate. This role involves significant stakeholder engagement, policy development, and operational support, aiming to deliver crucial improvements in government property management.

Benefits

Civil Service pension with employer contribution

Flexible working options

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in policy writing or a related field.
• Strong ability to produce high-quality written documentation.
• Excellent research skills with critical analysis capability.

Responsibilities

• Develop, draft, and produce high-quality policy documents.
• Conduct research and collate complex information.
• Liaise with stakeholders to gather input on policy matters.

Skills

Research skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Policy writing

Job description

Details Reference number 409277 Salary £35,175 - £39,480 A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% GBP Job grade Higher Executive Officer GPA Grade HEO National Contract type Fixed term

Loan Length of employment 6 Months Business area GPA - Workplace Services - Workplace Service Delivery Type of role Estates

Knowledge and Information Management

Operational Delivery

Planning

Project Delivery

Property Working pattern Full-time, Part-time Number of jobs available 2 Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information
  
  

Location Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Swindon About the job Job summary

The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than £2.1 billion in property assets and over 55% of the governments office estate.

We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers. And we are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team.

Representing the best covenant in the UK His Majestys Government we are leading transformational programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme, as well as delivering modern, cost-effective real estate service solutions.

Innovation and progress are at the heart of our behaviours. We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged. And were dedicated to becoming a leading, inclusive employer both in the external market and throughout the Civil Service. Our strong emphasis on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is not just about driving inclusion across our organisation, it is also about ensuring our services meet the needs of government departments and the civil servants who use our spaces.

Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kickstarting economic growth. We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction.

The GPA is committed to representing the communities we serve by making Diversity, Equality and Inclusion part of everything we do.

To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Job Description

Workplace Services are responsible for the Assurance and the Delivery of Operational Services to over half the Government Estate and they are continuing to take on new buildings across the country. To ensure a common approach across the estate there is a need to develop a suite of policies and supporting processes and procedures that can be adopted in every location (or simply amended to suit local requirements). These policies include, but are not limited to, Health and Safety, Security, Building Operations, Accessibility, Sustainability, Incident Response.

There is a requirement to establish a small team comprising 2 HEOs with a part-time G7 supervisor for 6 months to develop the taxonomy, liaise with SMEs, draft the policies, obtain approval, communicate and implement across the GPA estate.

As a Higher Executive Officer (HEO) Policy Writer, you will play a critical role in developing, drafting, and producing high-quality policy documents that will provide clear guidance for the occupants of over 50% of central Government properties and other stakeholders.

You will be responsible for conducting research, collating complex information, and effectively communicating policy proposals to ensure clarity and understanding across various audiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Understand the requirements for common policies across the estate.
• Identify which Policies exist, which are needed and the relative priorities.
• Refine the Taxonomy of Policies and, where necessary, Procedures and Processes.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to identify current best practice.
• Refine existing and draft new policies as succinct, unambiguous documents.
• Obtain buy-in from SME and other stakeholders.
• Obtain ExCo Approval.
• Establish a process for regular review and re-approval of Procedures.
  
  

Research And Analysis

Identify current best practice and compare with existing policies where available. Undertake additional research where applicable.

Policy Development

Collaborate with subject matter experts to design and develop robust policy proposals.

Draft and refine policy documents and other materials to support operations.

Stakeholder Engagement

Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including government departments, agencies, and external organisations, to gather input and feedback on policy matters.

Facilitate discussions and workshops to refine policy proposals and ensure stakeholder needs are considered.

Communication

Prepare high-quality written communications that clearly articulate policy positions and recommendations.

Present complex information in an accessible format for diverse audiences aligned to government communication specification.

Monitoring And Evaluation

Assist in the development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the impact of policies. Including reviews.

Prepare reports on policy outcomes and make recommendations for future improvements.

Team Support

Work collaboratively with colleagues in the team to achieve shared objectives and assist in the development of team capabilities.

Provide support and guidance to junior team members as required.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience in policy writing or a related field, with a strong ability to produce high-quality written documentation.
• Excellent research skills, with the ability to analyse information critically and synthesise findings effectively.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to engage with a variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to write clearly and succinctly, with brevity, synthesing complex concepts into simple policies
  
  

Desirable Criteria

• Understanding of Property Operations and/or Health & Safety
• Experience working within the public sector or governmental organisations.
• Familiarity with relevant legislation, policy frameworks, and government procedures.
• Ability to write clearly and succinctly
• Good understanding of Central Government
• Understanding of property operations and/or Health & Safety
• Ability to build strong relationships across GPA and with External Stakeholders
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Detail-orientated with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Project Management skills and experience.
  
  

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
  
  

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Customer Perspective
• Commercial Acumen
• Property Market Knowledge
• Innovation
  
  

Benefits Alongside your salary of £35,175, Government Property Agency contributes £10,190 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
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Generous annual leave
  
  

Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities and wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and well-being and aim to create a sense of belonging in a workplace where everyone feels valued. 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.

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 .

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 (RIS) to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Sift

The sift is due to take place week commencing 19th June 2025.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to include a CV and a 750-word personal statement. The personal statement should then align with the person specification.

Interview

GPA policy is for interviews to be held face to face, with virtual interviews only by absolute exception. The date and location will be confirmed if you are invited to interview. If you feel this will be a problem for you, please contact to discuss prior to submitting your application.

At interview, applicants will be scored against 5 behaviours - Working Together, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing The Bigger Picture, Making Effective Decisions, and Communicating and Influencing.

Interview questions will be a blend of Behaviour, Experience, Strength and Technical (core skill) questions.

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 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 youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to GPA 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

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 stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

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 applicants 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.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .

See our vetting charter . 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)
• 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 Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

Requirements

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles . 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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy . Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). 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 : Sarah Andrews
• Email :
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email :
  
  

Further information 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 . 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