Senior Estimator - CardiffAbout the jobJob summaryDiscover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you\\\'re seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it\\\'s really like to work at HMRC.Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full series and come and discover your potential.About the jobWhat do estimators do?The role of the estimator is to analyse available source information for an initiative and provide a response that supports investment decisions for portfolios, programmes or projects as they progress through the change lifecycle. Estimators in HMRC determine the likely cost of delivering and maintaining the IT assets resulting from each initiative and also the likely amount of time necessary to deliver those assets. HMRC\\\'s estimators additionally assure IT quotes and estimates prepared by third parties and provide responses that inform commercial negotiations.Typically, estimators work closely with IT architects, project and programme managers, commercial officers, finance officers and third party suppliers.What does a senior estimator do?Senior estimators provide guidance, support and leadership to estimators and associate estimators, ensuring that all tasks are completed on time, that deliverables are fully fit-for-purpose and that they satisfy applicable quality criteria. Senior estimators also take the lead on estimates that are very challenging, complex or that have unusual characteristics. They set strategy and direction within the team. The role involves a great deal of interaction with stakeholders at all levels in HMRC.Job descriptionOversee and support the production of credible IT estimates and should-cost models by team members, providing guidance, direction and expertise as needed.For an agreed IT scope and IT solution/design/approach, undertake the most complex or challenging IT estimates, usually from limited and/or volatile information.Review and assure IT estimates and quote/tender assurance deliverables.Authorise release of IT estimates up to the threshold of delegated authority.Oversee and support the analysis of third party quote and tender documentation, reporting findings to programmes and projects that inform and support negotiations with third parties, providing guidance, direction and expertise as needed.Oversee and support data management activities and assure data deliverables, providing guidance, direction and expertise as needed.Formulate insights (e.g. themes and trends) from time and cost information.Person specificationLine management of a team of SO Estimators and HO Associate Estimators.Ensure that tasks are completed in compliance with relevant processes and any applicable standards and guidance.For all IT estimation and quote assurance tasks, ensure that the estimated effect of risk or opportunities upon an IT project or initiative, is calculated based upon relevant factors such as scale, proximity, probability and severity.Ensure the potential effect of uncertainty upon an IT project or initiative is drawn out and that each initiative is advised of ways to reduce or mitigate it.Provide briefings, advice, guidance and support to stakeholders on estimating in general and also for specific IT estimates.Agree strategic direction with the Head of IT Cost Engineering and implement it, taking any wider business context into account.Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and ever better ways of working, whilst encouraging other team members to do the same.Lead and/or sponsor innovation within the team, ensuring that the team is always abreast of developments across HMRC and well positioned to add maximum value to stakeholders. Some of these innovations will be transformational e.g. adoption of AI tools.Support and progress change initiatives that are sponsored by HMRC, by CDIO Group, by the CTDO Directorate and, more widely, the cross-Government Public Sector Advisory Community for Estimating (PsACE) community of interest.Essential CriteriaDemonstrate an analytical, innovative approach to problem solving.Be able to work with incomplete, ambiguous or fast-changing information where uncertainty is high.Be able to demonstrate strong people management/mentoring experience.Be able to articulate key messages to stakeholders at all levels up to ExCom level.Demonstrate a track record of consistently meeting aggressive deadlines.Desirable CriteriaExperience of estimating or forecasting the budgetary requirements for large change initiatives.An understanding of IT design, build and test processes and methodologies.Awareness or knowledge of software / hardware commercial cost models.Experience or knowledge of software sizing metrics e.g. Function Points.BehavioursWe\\\'ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Managing a Quality Service Making Effective Decisions Communicating and Influencing Seeing the Big Picture BenefitsAlongside your salary of £56,344, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £16,322 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues\\\' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.Family friendly policies.Personal support.Coaching and development.To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it\\\'s really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service.Things you need to knowSelection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.How to ApplyAs part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:A name-blind CV including your job history and previous experiences.A 1000-word personal statement. Your personal statement should include evidence of any essential criteria and how your skills and experiences show suitability for this role. Please complete a separate statement (Max 250 words) for the Desirable Criteria where applicable. This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy-holder where candidates have the same scores at sift or interview.We acknowledge that AI can assist you in your application. Find our guidelines here.SiftAt sift your CV and personal statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview. We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.InterviewDuring the panel interview, your experience and behaviours will be assessed, to determine your suitability for the role.Interviews will take place via video link. Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.EligibilityPlease take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days(Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk - Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example - \\\'Please re-open my application - (insert vacancy ref) & vacancy closing date (insert date)\\\'.To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application.Reserve ListA reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles - if this applies to you, we\\\'ll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.Criminal Record CheckApplications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.Merit ListAfter interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.Reasonable AdjustmentsWe want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact the UBS Recruitment team via unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.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.Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers:This role may be suitable for existing HMRC employees who are contractual homeworkers. Occasional attendance to the office will be required where there is a business need. Please consider the advertised office locations for this role when applying and only select locations from the \\\'location preferences\\\' section that you can travel to.Additional Information We are looking into ways to enhance the applicant experience.As part of our legitimate interests, we are testing the use of new technologies such as automation and/or Artificial Intelligence in the assessment for CV, personal statement and behaviour statement. Please note that for this specific vacancy, this testing may run in parallel with our standard assessment process and will not influence or determine the outcome of your application in any way. You can read the Civil Service Jobs and HMRC Privacy Notices for more information about our lawful basis for processing your personal data and HMRC\\\'s use of AI. If you don\\\'t want your data to be used as part of the trial, please send your Application ID and the Vacancy Reference to talentacquisitionaiteam@hmrc.gov.ukTerms and ConditionsCustomer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process. Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.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.New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.If you experience 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.SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirementsThis 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 ServiceThe 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 InclusionThe 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).