Senior Research and Policy Officer Job – Structural Safety (Band 3/SEO)

Aberdeen, Ashford (Kent), Basingstoke, Birmingham, Bootle, Bristol, Buxton, Cardiff, Carlisle, Carmarthen, Chelmsford, Crewe, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Leeds, London, Milton Keynes, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxted, Plymouth, Sheffield, Wrexham, York

We are looking for a technical policy advisor to assist in the development of policy about the structural safety of buildings. The successful candidate will help manage research and draft revisions to support the update of the statutory guidance to Building Regulations on structural safety (Approved Document A). They will also be helping provide advice within the Building Safety Division and wider government on emerging structural safety matters.

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 Building Safety Division 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. This role is in the Technical Policy Team of the Building Safety Division and will focus on the structural safety of buildings. You will be supporting the Band 2 structural safety lead.

We are currently establishing a program of work to systematically review structural safety risks  You will assist in developing policy to address serious structural safety risks such as Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), Large Panel System Building,s and aging building conditions.

You will have to work with a range of stakeholders within government and in industry including our structural safety expert advisory group, to ensure that any policy developed is based upon sound evidence and communicated effectively.

The structural design standards in use in England (the Eurocodes) are being revised currently. Following the Eurocodes is the way most buildings demonstrate compliance with building regulations and therefore their revision is triggering a review of Approved Document A which deals with building structure. This will need to be completed by the end of 2027. You will have a key role in scoping and helping manage any research that is needed and drafting documents ready for publication.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Helping manage relationships with key stakeholders including the Building Advisory Committee working group on structural safety.

• Helping scope and manage research projects.

• Contributing to advice to other colleagues within the government on structural safety matters.

• Working with other teams in the Building Safety Division on structural safety issues as they arise.

• Writing guidance and policy documents and contributing to standards development.

The successful applicant will manage several areas of policy work and will need to work flexibly and often at pace. The post will be within a team of technical specialists and policy generalists responsible for a range of regulations including those for ventilation standards, accessibility, acoustics, fire, and the energy efficiency of buildings. You may be required to work across the technical policy team to deliver other areas of work when demand requires it.

This role may include occasional travel to other HSE offices including some potential overnight stays.

Essential Skills and Criteria:

• Practical knowledge of building design, construction process, and techniques.

• Effective communication skills with the ability to negotiate and influence stakeholders to help shape outcomes.

• Strong analytical skills to identify underlying issues and develop innovative, sustainable solutions.

• Initiative and decisiveness, making sound decisions based on evidence.

• Strong organizational and planning skills, taking responsibility for planning and delivering outcomes on time to the required standard.

• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team, maintaining positive working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders.
• A proven ability to write effectively and present complex information clearly and concisely for non-technical audiences.

We’ll assess you against these behaviors during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace

Alongside your salary of £45,954, the 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 contributes 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.