Process and Productivity Officer

Job summary

Join the Productivity and Workforce Planning Team – part of our newly established Delivery, Productivity & Workforce function. This team brings a strategic, cross-cutting approach to planning, reporting, continuous improvement, and centralised services, ensuring the Planning Inspectorate operates efficiently and effectively to deliver high-quality decisions for communities across England.

Our team is made up of three key areas: Process and Productivity, Resource & Workforce Planning, and the Operational Delivery Profession. As a Process and Productivity Officer, you’ll work closely with the Process and Productivity Manager to help define and drive our strategic approach to productivity. You’ll champion best practice, develop standardised operating procedures, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

This is your chance to join a team passionate about making a real difference to how we work and the services we deliver. You’ll champion continuous improvement, drive professional growth, and help embed a culture of excellence across the organisation.

If you’re ready to influence smarter ways of working and contribute to outcomes that matter, we’d love to hear from you.

Be part of the Operational Delivery Profession (ODP)

This role is part of the Operational Delivery Profession – the largest profession in the Civil Service, with over 290,000 members. ODP professionals are the public face of government, delivering essential services to millions of people every day. As a member of this profession, you’ll have access to a wide range of development opportunities, a supportive community, and a clear framework to grow your career.

To learn more about the Operational Delivery Profession, visit Working in Operational Delivery , Civil Service Careers

Job description

We’re looking for someone with experience in managing and delivering improvement projects within complex organisations. You’ll be comfortable working at pace and navigating ambiguity, with the confidence to communicate effectively across a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leaders.

Collaboration is key—you’ll work closely with others to deliver results, using your analytical skills to interpret data and inform decisions. We value individuals who are proactive, motivated, and positive in their approach, who can inspire those around them and contribute to a supportive and inclusive team culture.

If you thrive on problem-solving, enjoy working as part of a team, and are committed to personal and professional growth, we’d love to hear from you.

In this role, you’ll play a pivotal part in supporting the Process and Productivity Manager to shape and implement our strategic approach to productivity. Your work will be varied and rewarding—developing and embedding standard operating procedures, supporting the measurement and monitoring of productivity, and championing continuous improvement across the organisation.

You’ll collaborate with colleagues at all levels, building networks and sharing best practice, while creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute and succeed. The role is both strategic and hands-on, requiring you to balance big-picture thinking with practical delivery.

You’ll join a friendly, inclusive, and supportive team at an exciting time of growth and change. If you’re ready to influence how we work, drive positive change, and contribute to outcomes that matter, we look forward to receiving your application.

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.

This role is being advertised at HEO Grade.

Working hours:

Standard working week is 37 hours, flexible working hours policy available.

Part time at 30 hours or above, flexible working hours policy available.

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 in Bristol, just a 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

We will assess your application against the Essential Criteria listed:

Essential Criteria

• Experience of managing and delivering improvement projects in an organisation.
• Experience of using data to drive outcomes.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement techniques and experience of using these tools to improve productivity.
• Experience of communicating clearly, influencing effectively, and working with stakeholders at all levels, including employees and senior leaders.
• Experience of building effective working relationships with excellent negotiating and influencing skills and the ability to secure agreement to solutions.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of drafting, embedding and using Standard Operating Procedures.
• Experience of benchmarking and setting performance targets.
• Experience of working with consultants.
• Experience of coaching and supporting other leaders

For guidance on how to structure your application please visit: About the application process , Civil Service Careers

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,579, Planning Inspectorate contributes £10,886 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
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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 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 managing and delivering improvement projects in an organisation.

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 and experience questions.

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

Other Information

Shortlist Date: w/c 26th January 2026

Interview Date: w/c 9th February 2026

Interviews will be held at The Planning Inspectorate, Bristol, further details will be sent with the invite to interview.

The Planning Inspectorate does not fund travel and subsistence for candidates to attend interviews.

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) (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 : Kirsty Aysu
• 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)