Managing public money is important to WMCA, and our Assurance and Appraisal team work incredibly hard to do so. We are now looking for a Programme Investment Appraiser to join our team of appraisers, to provide high-level summaries and reviews on Business Cases for major projects and ensure they demonstrate:
- A good fit with WMCA strategy.
- Good value for money.
- Commercial viability.
- The need for public sector investment.
You’ll have a key role in supporting decision makers in making better spending and investment decisions that will ultimately improve the West Midlands and the lives of those who live and work within the region.
Please note that this is 12 month fixed-term-contract covering maternity leave.
What you will be doing.
- Appraise and assess projects within the WMCA Investment Programme, producing checklists and methodologies which are consistent with the Government’s Green Book and Five Business Case model.
- Utilising the Project Register and other intelligence regarding the likely timing of project Business Cases; Plan workload in order that Business Case appraisals can be undertaken and presented to Investment Panel / Board promptly to include processing of the project and its delivery timetable.
- Support the appraisal and technical assessment of non-delegated projects and, lead on the appraisal and assessment of projects.
- Secure internal and external expertise to provide an independent critique of the Business Case submission e.g. input from the Office for Data Analytics to review the strategic and economic Business Cases.
- Contribute to producing a high-level summary of each project Business Case assessing concerns and issues, liaising with project owners to clarify any issues.
- Fully service Investment Panel and Investment Board meetings including scheduling meetings, circulating papers in advance and recording decisions and support the presentation of Business Case summaries, reviews and recommendations to WMCA’s Investment Panel and Investment Board.
- Liaise with project owners and legal team to ensure that any conditions placed on projects at investment decision stage are reflected in the legal agreements for WMCA funding and, if applicable, the Monitoring and Evaluation Plans for those projects.
- Work with multiple teams to provide advice and guidance on the development of robust and compliant Business Cases for WMCA investments, whilst maintaining the ability to independently review completed Business Cases.
What’s essential.
- Experience of working within a project/PMO environment.
- Ability to communicate and support/ influence across all levels of roles within WMCA and bring issues to resolution.
- Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills and ability to deliver briefings and presentations.
- Excellent written and analytical skills with an ability to succinctly summarise complex information.
- Customer and results oriented.
- Self-motivated and ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Ability to plan and co-ordinate multiple activities simultaneously, managing time and resource..
How to apply.
On clicking ‘apply for this job’, you will be prompted to register for an account, which you can do using your name and email address. You will have the opportunity to upload a CV when registering. Uploading your CV will auto-populate the employment and education sections of your profile. Please note, we do not see your CV once you have submitted your application. Our shortlisting decisions are based on what you tell us in your profile - and so it is important to check the information is correct and format your profile so that it really stands out.
You will be asked to provide a supporting statement which should evidence (using examples) how your skills and experience match the essential criteria of the role that you are applying for. You will be asked to type your statement into the portal directly. If you have already prepared a supporting statement, then you can simply copy and paste this directly into the application form. For more information on how to apply, please visit the FAQ page on our career site.
Reasonable adjustments.
If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process (for example, you might need to submit your application in a different format), please get in touch with our Recruitment Team. We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.
Salary and benefits.
We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes a Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK), 28 days paid annual leave (plus an option to purchase more!), ethical saving options and healthcare plans, paid volunteering days, free financing for the latest technology, discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers, and more. For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.
Hybrid working and location.
We believe hybrid working is the best way for our organisation to fulfil our commitment to a modern, agile workplace while continuing to provide a great service to our customers. Hybrid working means having flexibility between working in the office and at home on agreed days, where a role allows.
The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD. It is expected that you can split your time between the office and working remotely, with at least 2 days a week spent in the office. Please note, this is the minimum expectation.
Creating an inclusive workplace.
We are dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace that reflects the communities of the West Midlands region. We believe that building a team with varied backgrounds and experiences will benefit us as an employer and enhance our work.
WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.
We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.
We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying. If your values align with ours and you are dedicated to working towards a future that we can all be proud of, we would love to hear from you.
Right to Work in the UK
WMCA has a legal responsibility to ensure that all its employees have the legal right to work in the UK. Therefore, if you are made an offer of employment, this will be subject to WMCA verifying that you are eligible to work in the UK before you start work.
Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the role by assessing their circumstances against the relevant criteria set out by UKVI.
Thank you for considering joining our team at WMCA. We look forward to receiving your application and the opportunity to work together towards our shared goals.
