People Development Associate

Job summary

This is a fantastic opportunity to join the People Development team at the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) during a period of growth. As a valued member of our collaborative and supportive Learning and Development (L&D) team, you’ll play a key role in shaping the learning experiences that help our colleagues develop, thrive, and deliver for the organisation.

At PINS, our culture is core to who we are. Guided by The PINS Way, we work as one team - curious, open, and committed to continuous improvement. Learning and development sits at the heart of our success, ensuring everyone has the skills and confidence to meet the challenges of today and the ambitions of tomorrow.

In this dynamic, varied, and fast‑paced role, you’ll help colleagues access high‑quality learning that supports both personal growth and organisational performance.

We’re seeking a proactive, organised, and people‑centred individual with strong administrative, communication, data-reporting and coordination skills. This is also an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build or develop a career in Learning & Development, HR or organisation development. An interest in facilitation, digital learning design, or wider L&D practice would be a real advantage, and we’ll support you to build these skills.

If you are adept at working in a busy environment, coordinating meaningful activity, producing clear and engaging information, supporting learning delivery, and providing excellent customer service to colleagues, this role could be the ideal next step in your People (HR) or Learning & Development career. In order to support the team fully, we anticipate the successful candidate will work from the office a couple of days each week.

Ready to make a difference? We’d love to hear from you. Apply now to join us and help us build a future where people thrive, careers flourish and learning drives individual and organisational success.

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

Job description

As a People Development Support Officer, you will provide high-quality operational, data, and administrative support across our learning, capability, and talent programmes. Working within the L&D team in the People Unit, you will work closely with People Unit colleagues and the wider organisation, and will report to a People Development Manager. You’ll be an essential part of the team delivering impactful development solutions.

This role offers a balanced mix of regular and cyclical activity, alongside opportunities to support discrete projects. Responsibilities may evolve over time as both the team and organisation’s needs change - providing excellent scope for ongoing development, growth, and career progression for a motivated individual.

Key Responsibilities

Communications & Engagement

• Act as a trusted point of contact, building strong relationships and providing timely, professional support to colleagues at all levels.

• Deliver clear, engaging people communications across intranet channels, newsletters and guidance materials.

• Bring learning events to life by coordinating logistics, managing attendance and creating polished supporting materials.

• Produce compelling slide decks and briefings that help people leaders communicate with clarity and confidence.

• Contribute flexibly within a fast‑moving team, stepping in where needed to help meet shared deadlines.

Data & Reporting

• Keep learning records accurate and up to date, ensuring evaluation and completion data is reliable.

• Turn L&D system data into meaningful insights through insightful analysis, reports and dashboards.

• Use Excel and Power BI to support evidence‑based decisions and continuous improvement.

• Safeguard data quality and GDPR compliance through strong controls and attention to detail.

• Carry out research and analysis to inform planning and future capability priorities.

Business Management & Administration

• Run shared inboxes efficiently, triaging queries and ensuring colleagues receive the right information and support at the right time.

• Organise meetings and workshops, from agendas and actions to room/VC setup and follow‑up.

• Maintain governance routines, including performance reports, action logs and risk/issue trackers.

• Keep team calendars and learning schedules organised and running smoothly.

Project Support for People Development

• Provide hands‑on support across learning, capability, talent and culture projects, keeping plans, milestones and logs up to date.

• Support seamless delivery of core learning activities such as corporate and line manager induction.

• Administer and maintain the LMS, updating learning content and resources to ensure a great learner experience.

• Coordinate campaigns and events, helping shape content, speakers and follow‑up communications.

• Facilitate small groups or sessions where appropriate to enhance engagement and learning.

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:

Standard working week is 37 hours, Part time at 30 hours or above. Flexible working hours policy available

Office Attendance

This role is contractually based in Bristol, 10 minute walk from Temple Meads train station. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Relevant experience in a corporate environment (e.g. L&D, HR, OD, operations, project delivery, customer service, or digital/data functions).
• Strong delivery and organisation skills, able to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, maintain accurate records and follow processes with high attention to detail.
• Customer‑focused service delivery, providing high‑quality support, accurately following processes, communicating clearly both verbally and in writing, and using feedback to improve delivery
• Proactive and collaborative approach, contributing to continuous improvement, working effectively with others, and adapting to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Digital and data capability, confident using Microsoft 365 tools, handling data accurately (e.g. Excel), generating insights, and willing to learn new tools such as Power BI or LMS platforms.

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Customer‑focused service delivery, providing high‑quality support, accurately following processes, communicating clearly both verbally and in writing, and using feedback to improve delivery

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,735, Planning Inspectorate contributes £8,903 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.

Things you need to know

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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

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 (500words 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

• Technical Example (250 words max): A short statement against the lead criteria shown below. This allows you to outline your experience and will only be used if there are a large number of applications. The minimum standard must be reached for applications to proceed.

Customer‑focused service delivery, providing high‑quality support, accurately following processes, communicating clearly both verbally and in writing, and using feedback to improve delivery

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, strength, experience and technical questions
• Need to prepare and deliver a presentation

Candidates who pass the shortlist stage will receive full assessment details with their interview invitations.

Other Information

Shortlist Date: 18- 20 May 2026

Interview Date: 1 – 2 June 2026

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.

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) (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 Service

The 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 Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) 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 : Alex Capel
• Email : PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

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 (PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk).

If you are not satisfied with the response, you receive you should then contact, Chief People Officer, via the Recruitment Team (PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk).

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. https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitme…

Attachments

EVP(Great_Place_To_Work) Opens in new window (pdf, 534kB)