Details
Reference number
429953
Salary
£28,927
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
PINS - Strategy - Project and Change Management
Type of role
Administration / Corporate Support
Knowledge and Information Management
Project Delivery
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time, Compressed hours
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
Bristol, South West England, BS1 6PN
About the job
Job summary
Are you an experienced and enthusiastic Project Support Officer? We are looking for someone to join our friendly and collaborative Project and Change team at the Planning Inspectorate, where we pride ourselves on supporting the successful delivery of change across the organisation. The work we do, and the way we do it, make real differences to our organisation, our staff, and ultimately how customers view and interact with the planning system.
You will be self-motivated and adaptable, working with a small team of project managers and with the Projects and Change Lead. As a multi skilled team, we work flexibly across all Project Delivery disciplines so that we are doing the right things at the right time. We are committed to develop the Project Delivery profession within the organisation, therefore there will be opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills throughout this role.
One of the projects you will initially be focussed on will be our SharePoint improvement project, which is closely aligned to our implementation of Microsoft Co-Pilot. However you will have the opportunity to work across a range of projects including delivery of legislative changes and business process changes.
Job description
No two days will be the same, however you will be involved in:
General project and administrative support for the project including:
* the commissioning of reports;
* collation, storage and sharing of core material in line with organizational policies and procedures;
* scheduling and support of project team meetings and boards including collation of meeting papers;
* update and tracking of Risk, Action, Issue and Decision (RAID) logs;
* update and tracking of plans.
You will also assist with the communication and engagement activities for the project by planning and logistical set-up of events, such as staff briefings; challenge groups; training events and drafting of news items and maintenance of Intranet pages.
You will develop relationships with people from all areas of the organisation, and will support them with new ways of working, gathering and collating feedback.
The role will provide you with the opportunity to work with other teams across the whole organisation, and will see you working closely with colleagues throughout the business.
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Working hours:
Ideally, we are looking for someone to work full time which is 37 hours a week. We have plenty of flexible working opportunities available. We would also consider applications to work part time providing a minimum of 24 hours is achieved.
The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people's lives, the communities where they live and the economy.
We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.
For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers
Office Attendance
This role is contractually based at Temple Quay House, Bristol which is currently out of use due to undergoing refurbishment work. In the interim, we have the use of alternative office space in very close proximity to Bristol Temple Meads railway station. There is an underlying expectation that the successful candidate attends the office in Bristol once a week.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
* Experience of working in a project environment particularly in a project support capacity.
* Ability to work on own initiative and effectively organise and manage a varied workload.
* Knowledge of programme and project management methodologies and best practice.
* Ability to build effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
* Experience and good understanding of a full range of Microsoft Office packages including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Planner and Teams.
Desirable Criteria
* Project Management qualification such as APM Fundamentals, PRINCE 2 or equivalent.
* Experience of Microsoft Project, Visio or other project tracking and reporting tools.
* Experience working with Microsoft SharePoint and Teams.
* Knowledge and experience of Microsoft Co-pilot or similar generative AI tools.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Changing and Improving
* Communicating and Influencing
* Working Together
* Delivering at Pace
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £28,927, Planning Inspectorate contributes £8,380 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
* Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
* A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
* 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King's birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
* Generous family friendly policies.
* Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 11 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Application
Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:
* A CV: The CV section lets you share your job history. List your jobs, how long you worked at each, and briefly describe your roles and duties. Make sure to show how your experience matches the essential criteria of the job you're applying for. Type or paste this information into the 'Employment History' box in the online application. You can't attach your CV.
* A Personal Statement (1000 words max): The personal statement lets you explain why you're a good fit for the job in more detail. Use it to show how you meet the essential criteria listed in our advert.
If there are many applications, we might use a lead sift. This means we'll first check if you meet the key requirement listed below. If you don't, we won't review the rest of your application.
* Experience of working in a project environment particularly in a project support capacity.
All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.
Interview
If you are shortlisted, you will:
* Be asked to attend an interview to have a more in-depth discussion about your experience and suitability for the role
* Interviews will be a blend of behaviour and experience questions
Candidates who pass the shortlist stage will receive full assessment details with their interview invitations.
Other Information
Shortlist Date: w/c 13 October 2025
Interview Date: w/c 28 October 2025
Interviews will be held remotely using MS Teams. The interview will not be recorded or retained, other than usual interview protocol and in line with Civil Service Jobs privacy notice.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Recruitment
The Civil Service Careers site has published a new page for candidates, covering what they should consider before using AI in their applications or interviews. Please click on the link below:
Artificial intelligence and recruitment
Reserve list
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Future Matches
Candidates who demonstrate strong potential and future readiness but score just below the required level at interview may be considered for alternative positions. These roles may be at a lower grade but align with their skills and offer opportunities for growth.
We encourage all candidates to make themselves familiar with the role and what we will be assessing you against which is detailed in the Person Specification.
ID and Documents
If the job needs specific qualifications or memberships and you get the job, you'll need to send scanned or photographed images of them before you start.
We must check that any successful candidates are allowed to work for the Civil Service before we employ them. If successful, you will be asked to do a right to work check using identity document validation technology (IDVT) through the services of an Identity Service Provider (IDSP), Civil Service Jobs. If we are unable to confirm your right to work and through the IDVT we will need to do a manual right to work check using original documents with you in person.
Visa Sponsorship
The Planning Inspectorate cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates, we do not hold a Visa sponsorship licence.
Disability Confident Interview scheme/Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service values diversity and offers equal opportunities. We have a Disability Confident Interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the job's minimum criteria. We will also provide reasonable adjustments to all where possible. For more information please see Reasonable Adjustments, Civil Service Careers.
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)
* 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.
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 : Alan Cardy
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact in the first instance: The Vacancy Manager via the Recruitment Team ).
If you are not satisfied with the response, you receive you should then contact, Chief People Officer, via the Recruitment Team ).
If you are still not satisfied with the response you receive from the Planning Inspectorate, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commission.