Project Appraisal Manager - D/F7i

Grade K | £38,951 pa | Location Leeds | Permanent | Full time (up to 37 hours pw) | Applications for part time / job share will be considered | Closing date: 10 April 2023

Project Appraisal Manager - D/F7i

Grade K | £38,951 pa |
Location Leeds |

  • Do you want to work for an organisation that values you as an individual?
  • An organisation that will support your professional development?
  • What about an organisation that has Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the heart of everything that it does?
  • How about an organisation that does all these things and more?
  • Yes? Then look no further than the West Yorkshire Combined Authority! Listen to what our staff say on our 'Life at West Yorkshire Combined Authority' webpage.

We currently have a vacancy for a Project Appraisal Manager to be part of our expanding Portfolio Management and Appraisal (PMA) team within the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

It is an exciting time to be joining the Mayoral Combined Authority. We have a wide variety of exciting projects that we are working on which will help shape the West Yorkshire region.

In 2021 the £1.8bn devolution deal was secured for West Yorkshire. This meant the first Mayor of West Yorkshire was subsequently elected, with Tracy Brabin taking up post in May 2021. The devolution deal and election of the Mayor has enabled us to start to drive up living standards for local communities while tackling the climate emergency and helping to deliver our commitment to become a net zero carbon city region by 2038.

So, do you want to play a leading role in reshaping our local economy and forging better futures for millions of people? That’s precisely what is on offer at the Combined Authority where an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Project Appraisal Manager to join a friendly and professional team.

To find out more about the work the Combined Authority is involved with take a look at our latest news stories.

The Role

The PMA team oversees the portfolio of programmes and projects. These schemes are either delivered directly by the Combined Authority or through one of our partner organisations (in the public and private sector). Whichever the delivery route, the PMA has responsibility for ensuring that only schemes which meet the strategic aims of the organisation and have a robust business case are developed and delivered. 

The projects which the Combined Authority promotes and funds, and which are appraised by the PMA, cover a broad range, and include infrastructure schemes covering transport, housing, regeneration, and clean growth, as well as digital connectivity and business support.

Reporting into the Modelling and Appraisal Manager, the key responsibilities are but not limited to:

  • Be responsible for appraising projects and programmes by undertaking reviews of business cases (with a focus on the economic dimension) coming forward for approval through the Combined Authority assurance process, in accordance with the Leeds City Region Assurance Framework.
  • Developing and managing a process of internal and external reviews of ASRs and analytical tools and products.
  • Be responsible for providing timely guidance on and carrying out quality assurance of Appraisal Specification Reports (ASR) for projects which defines how benefits and costs will be prepared for the economic dimension of business cases.
  • Advising on and reviewing of modelling and economic appraisal work undertaken for projects.
  • Ensuring appropriate quality assurance processes are in place and adhered to. This will include providing check and challenge of analytical tools developed and applied to define benefits for use in the economic dimension of business cases.
  • Ensuring that the Combined Authority’s Carbon Impact Assessment tool is applied in business cases and review the outcome.
  • Delivering workshops and training on modelling and appraisal to a diverse audience of project managers, technical experts, scheme promoters etc.

Review the Role profile provided for more information about the responsibilities.

 If you require further information or would like to discuss the role, please contact Zaved Hasan, Modelling and Appraisal Manager (Zaved.Hasan@westyorks-ca.gov.uk).

About you

This role offers an excellent opportunity for a candidate who has experience in project appraisal and / or project assurance of programmes or projects following government guidance and industry best practice.

You will have the following key skills, attributes, education and experience:

  • A sound knowledge of modelling and economic appraisal (in particular transport modelling and appraisal) and proficiency in standard modelling tools will be important for this role. This will supplement the experience and understanding of HMT’s Green Book guidance on appraisal.

  • A good understanding of carbon impact assessment will be desirable, but not essential.

 

Our offer

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer an excellent benefits package including:

  • 28 days Annual Leave (increasing upon years of service) plus bank holidays
  • Generous Employer-Contribution Pension Scheme
  • Free Travel on rail and buses across West Yorkshire with the M-Card (Zones 1-5)
  • Flexible Working Practices with Health & Wellbeing initiatives to ensure you achieve the best work/life balance and career goals.

We have also recently undergone a major office refurbishment and have bright, airy, modern office space, with all latest technology, and just a 2-minute walk from Leeds Railway Station. We also have agile working options too if you would rather work from home, or another suitable location, as well as a generous flexi-time scheme.

Have a look at our Employee Benefits webpage to find out more.

To apply

If this sounds like your next role, please upload your anonymised CV, and complete the application form on our application website telling us why you would be a great fit for our role.

Please apply by 11:55pm on Monday 10 April 2023. 

Further Information

The Combined Authority is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes. We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity. or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro-divergent. To find out more about inclusivity at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority please visit our dedicated webpage.

Applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met.

Whilst agile working is an option for most staff, there is an expectation that employees are able to attend the office in central Leeds as and when required.

Candidates will be notified of invitation to interview by e-mail and interviews will be carried out either by phone, video or face to face. If you have any difficulty with the type of interview you are invited to, please inform the recruiting manager at your earliest convenience to enable them to consider an alternative solution.

Please note that whilst it is our policy to recruit at SP1 for all appointments, which is the salary stated above, each role includes career salary progression, with incremental increases applicable in most cases, on an annual basis.

Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we are unfortunately unable to respond to every applicant. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has not been successful. We do however thank you for your application and encourage you to continue looking for roles on our Careers with Us website page.

Candidate information will be retained by the Combined Authority for six months.

Terms and conditions

Applicants are advised that the Combined Authority is currently in consultation with employees and Trade Unions to review the Terms and Conditions of Employment and Staff Benefits.

The detail of the proposals for change, will be discussed with the successful candidate at the point of offer.