Details
Reference number
423090
Salary
£44,720 - £47,850
GBP
Job grade
Senior Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
HO - Capabilities and Resources Group
Type of role
Environment and Sustainability
Working pattern
Full-time, Compressed hours
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Peterborough, Sheffield, Solihull
About the job
Job summary
The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
Corporate and Delivery Directorate works closely with the Home Office's policy and operational commands to enable us together to deliver the department's priorities. The directorate is comprised of different teams and professional functions, including Commercial, Finance, People, Portfolio and Project Delivery, Security, Estates and Information and Digital, Data and Technology.
The Home Office Property Service Team (HOPS) is currently transforming the way it delivers its services, procuring new contracts for estates services and facilities management and creating a professional and market leading estates team. HOPS are responsible for providing expert property services to the department. The estate comprises of office, Border Force, warehouse, residential, detention and public access properties.
Our property teams work with a variety of stakeholders within the department, across Government and with a range of external suppliers to deliver a range of construction projects, estate management and workplace services to support the Department in delivering our strategic ambitions of a smaller, better, greener estate in line with the Government Property Strategy, and operational and political priorities. Alongside project delivery, the team manages a budget of circa £220m per annum for estate works and oversees a large portfolio of change and improvement projects.
Job description
We are looking to recruit a Sustainability Officer (Circular Economy and Ecology) to play a key role in identifying and developing the deliverables from the Home Office Circular Economy strategy and Nature Recovery Plan in line with departmental priorities.
A key purpose for the HOPS is to ensure that operational colleagues have an estate and facilities which are modern, environmentally sustainable, fit for purpose and allow staff to maximise their operational effectiveness. To this end, the HOPS will work closely with Business leads across the UK and with our delivery partners and external suppliers to consider how to improve and maximise the use of buildings and facilities and provide solutions for any new requirements.
The HO is committed to creating a sustainable, effective, and efficient estate which provides value for money for the taxpayer, reduces our environmental impact, enables transformation to the way civil servants work and contributes to the growth agenda. HOPS will work to reduce our carbon emissions and minimise waste, minimise our impact on the environment and make our estate and operations more resilient to climate change.
We are looking for a talented individual to play a key role in developing and overseeing a broad range of initiatives to support our achievement of government sustainability targets.
Key Responsibilities
The role holder will have responsibility for identifying and developing policies and action plans for the departments waste & circular economy & ecology strategies.
The role holder will:
Circular Economy and Waste
• Work closely with the Sustainability Strategy and Policy Lead, subject matter experts and wider stakeholders to identify, develop and implement actions to support delivery of the Circular Economy strategy and related waste management activities.
• Monitor and report progress against targets, in collaboration with the Sustainability Data and Reporting Team.
• Identify opportunities for improving waste management processes, promoting a circular economy approach, to support delivery of the departments Greening Government Commitment waste targets
• Embed regulatory requirements and emerging best practice into standards for the departments waste management processes, driving circular economy outcomes wherever possible.
• Provide subject matter expertise advice on circular economy and waste management matters, including support and direction to Procurement, Facilities Management, Project Delivery colleagues and our building users.
Ecology
• Work closely with the Sustainability Strategy and Policy Lead, subject matter experts and wider stakeholders to identify, develop and implement actions to support delivery of the department's ecology commitments.
• Develop a biodiversity baseline for key land holdings on the Home Office estate, develop an action plan and manage the implementation of nature recovery initiatives.
• Provide technical advice, guidance, training, resources and support to project delivery teams in delivering voluntary nature recovery initiatives and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG+10) requirements for construction projects, working with stakeholders such as project teams, local authorities and local interest groups to implement best practice nature outcomes for our property projects.
• Oversee the management and maintenance of Home Office's land holdings, driving continuous improvement of our natural capital assets.
Broader Responsibilities
• Line Management responsibility for a sustainability apprentice role
• Ensure that all areas of responsibility drive environmental improvement and support the government's sustainability agenda and targets.
• Build constructive working relationships with Home Office and HOPS stakeholders and third-party contractors to support delivery of their objectives.
• Maintain a culture of responsiveness, responsibility, continuous improvement, mutual support and pride in where we work.
• The role holder will be expected to keep abreast of current and emerging innovation on all aspects of sustainability, with particular focus on their own areas of responsibility and factor this into future interventions.
• The role will be cross-cutting across different areas of sustainability and post holder will be required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.
Working Pattern
Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis. However, compressed hours are available.
Travel
Occasional travel within the UK may be required. Travel costs incurred for business need will be reimbursed in line with Home Office travel policy.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
• Considerable knowledge, and 5 years' experience of one of the above disciplines (circular economy or ecology) and a good working knowledge of the other. The role holder will be expected to quickly develop their skills and knowledge to become subject matter experts in both disciplines. Training and development will be provided.
• Experience in working in a sustainability/environmental management role within a property environment with a strong understanding of the legislation, regulation and best practice relating to the waste industry and/or nature recovery and the natural environment.
• Demonstrable ability to develop a diverse range of policies, standards and interventions which will drive clear outcomes.
• Experience of working with, and influencing multi-discipline stakeholders.
• The ability to quickly navigate complex relationships with senior leaders in a large, complex organisation building credibility and trust and an ability to influence constructively and command confidence at all levels.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and experience of leading teams to solve problems through innovation.
Qualifications
• Degree in an environmental discipline OR substantial experience of working within the sustainability/environmental sector.
Memberships
• Professional membership of an environmental body e.g. Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) or working towards accreditation.
Desirable Criteria
• Able to influence key senior stakeholders, colleagues and customers towards solutions that support the business outcomes.
• Recent experience of working in a property focussed environmental sustainability role.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Communicating and Influencing
* Changing and Improving
* Managing a Quality Service
* Making Effective Decisions
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
* Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:
*
o 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%
* Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.
* See more of our benefits on our careers website.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.
1. Application - by 7th September 2025.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:
* CV detailing job history, qualifications and skills.
* Personal Statement (maximum 1000 words).
* Evidence of the Behaviour - 'Communicating and Influencing' (maximum of 250 words per Behaviour).
Your CV should consist of your career history, qualifications and skills/experience, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be scored against the experience required for the role as noted within the essential criteria.
The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.
For guidance and information on how to construct your application (Behaviour, CV and Personal Statement) you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.
2. Sift - commencing from 11th September 2025.
The sift will be held on the Behaviour, CV and Personal Statement.
Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the CV and Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift will then be progressed to a full sift that will consist of the Behaviour - 'Communicating and Influencing'.
3. Interview – commencing from 9th October 2025.
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be assessed using Behaviour based questions (as listed on the advert).
Interviews will be carried out via video. Candidates will be required to have access to:
* A laptop (personal or work) with a working webcam
* Good internet connection
* Microsoft Teams
For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.
Artificial Intelligence
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.
Problems during the application process
If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you've made a mistake on an initial application, please contact, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.
Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.
Location Preferences
You can select up to threelocations in order of preference. Please ensure that these are locations you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at one of your preferred location(s) and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.
Reserve lists will be held for each location. Candidates will be appointed in merit order by location.
Standards
All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
Additional Security Checks
As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Any move to Home Office 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.
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 are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service.
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 Pre- stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is 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 you are deaf, a language service professional
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
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.
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 : HORC Campaign Team (Corporate Enablers)
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission