Guidance

Returners Programme 2024

Updated 8 July 2024

Programme details 

The Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) returner programme is aimed at chartered surveyors who have spent time away from the profession.

The programme is a 6 month Fixed Term Appointment to bring qualified surveyors who have not been active within the profession (from not undertaking valuation work all the way through to those who have had full career changes or breaks) back into roles within the surveying profession. This 6 month period is a refresh of professional knowledge and upskilling, to bring returners back into current work.

As part of the 6-month contract, we will provide interview support and coaching so that returners gain the skills and confidence they need to apply for one of our permanent SEO Chartered Surveyor positions.After completing a comprehensive induction, returners will gradually gain exposure to all aspects of the profession.

The range of work we do is unrivalled. Typical responsibilities will include managing caseloads, conducting valuations, providing technical advice and representing the VOA at Valuation Tribunal. We also provide the opportunity to work on some high-profile and unusual properties.

Everyone who joins us will receive bespoke support from their allocated mentor, and some of the most experienced professionals in the industry will be on hand to share their expertise.

Training and development are key features of the programme. Returners will have the opportunity to attend group coaching sessions on a range of topics, such as IT skills and building resilience.

Eligibility 

We welcome applications from any Chartered Surveyor who has been out of the profession for at least two years.

All applicants must have previous property valuation experience and hold MRICS/FRICS or be IRRV (Hons) qualified in the valuation or real estate pathways.

Person specification 

We ask for evidence of the following in your application:

• the ability to lead, motivate and inspire others to deliver results, including sharing your professional knowledge to help others develop
• great communication skills, with the ability to deal with a wide range of customers and stakeholders
• strong analytical and judgement skills, shown by interpreting a range of evidence to provide relevant advice
• a personal and professional commitment to your ongoing development

Locations 

We anticipate that opportunities will be available in the following locations:

Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Canary Wharf, Cardiff, Carmarthen, Colchester, Croydon, Durham, Eastbourne, Exeter, Folkestone, Hull, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool (Bootle), Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford (Abingdon), Plymouth, Preston, Sheffield, Southampton, St. Austell, Stoke, Swansea, Wembley.

We will make every effort to ensure you are based in your preferred location. However, due to business demand and the location of our surveyors we cannot guarantee that every VOA office listed will be available.

We will discuss potential locations with you during the selection process.

Salary 

The salary for this role is:

• £44,768 (national)
• £48,765 (London)

Alongside your salary of £44,768, the VOA contributes £12,087 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits  

We offer great benefits in the VOA, including an attractive salary, a Civil Service pension, and other financial benefits. Where appropriate, we offer flexible working arrangements, and a generous amount of leave to use for your holidays. We have modern, conveniently located open plan offices across England and Wales to enable you to work a hybrid working pattern that suits you. We also offer fantastic support for those unexpected moments with care leave and support during domestic emergencies.

Workplace Benefits

• A flexible Working policy, offering part-time and term-time working, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments.  The VOA also operates Hybrid Working – your role will be a combination of office and home working.
• Leave – We offer a leave allowance that starts at 25 days and goes up to 30 days after 5 years reckonable service. You will also get 8 days public leave and 1 day privilege leave.
• Pension – A very generous pension scheme, with low employee contributions. Please click on this link for further information Civil Service Pension 
• Family friendly policies – This includes maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid at your discretion. We also offer paternity leave of 4 weeks at full pay. 
• Personal support – We offer extensive special leave to help balance your life and work commitments and we work with professional providers to provide occupational health and full mental and physical wellbeing services.  
• Coaching and development – We offer excellent professional and personal development opportunities. You will be supported by colleagues with a wealth of knowledge and experience to continually grow in your role.  
• Non-pay benefits – We offer a generous selection of benefits for our colleagues to enjoy, such as a Cycle to Work scheme of up to £4000, an employee discount scheme that is available to use in a large range of retailers, gym discounts and more.

How to apply 

We will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis. If you are interested in this opportunity, please email returningsurveyorsprogramme@voa.gov.uk with the following information:

• a CV setting out your career history, responsibilities and achievements (due to the nature of the programme, we anticipate that there will be gaps in your CV)
• a cover letter of no more than 750 words setting out how you meet the eligibility criteria and person specification, why you would like this opportunity and what you can bring to the VOA
• up to 3 preferred locations, listed in order of preference

Next steps 

Applicants that meet the eligibility criteria and person specification will be invited to discuss their CV and motivation for applying for the programme in more detail. 

The interview will be informal but will be scored. Further information will be provided at a later date. 

All interviews will take place over Microsoft Teams. 

Find out more 

If you have any questions about the programme or eligibility criteria, please email returningsurveyorsprogramme@voa.gov.uk.

Surveyor testimonials 

Penny Walsh is Valuation Lead in our Utilities Transport & Telecoms team. Here she explains how our flexible working policies have supported her throughout her career.

I started my career as a graduate in the VOA over 30 years ago, before moving into private practice to broaden my experience.

After starting a family, I decided to return to the VOA in 2002. Flexible working meant I was able to juggle having a young family alongside my career commitments.

I worked in different teams covering a wide range of property types, before specialising in agricultural valuations.

In 2018, due to an unexpected family bereavement, I was able to take advantage of another benefit of working for the VOA and took a 3-year career break.

The security of knowing that I would be able to return to the VOA was hugely reassuring during a time in my life when everything else was uncertain.

I ended up being ready to return to work earlier than I had planned. The VOA was incredibly flexible and, despite the pressures of the pandemic, welcomed me back in July 2020.

The pandemic prevented me from returning to my old role, so I was offered a secondment opportunity in a new team. I was thoroughly trained up for my new role and thrived in a new environment. So much so that I asked the VOA to sponsor me to undertake the RICS Rating Diploma.

With the support of my colleagues, I passed my diploma in 2023. The in-depth knowledge and understanding of local taxation I gained eventually led me to join one of the VOA’s specialist rating teams as a valuation lead.

The VOA has given me flexibility and support when I needed it most, while supporting me to fulfil my potential.

Ellen Atkin is Head of Local and Devolved Government. Here she talks us through her career progression at the VOA.

I joined the VOA after working in local government and the private sector. I didn’t know much about the organisation when I arrived 12 years ago, but that quickly changed.

I first worked in business rates before moving across to District Valuer Services (DVS), the VOA’s specialist property arm.

One great thing about working at the VOA is the range of work you get to take on. During my career, I’ve been lucky enough to work on several high-profile development and regeneration schemes across Yorkshire and the North East.

In November 2020, I became team leader in DVS. Here I took on more managerial work, such as monitoring operational performance and looking at scheduling and budgetary issues. On the valuation side, I continued to work on complex, demanding and technical projects and provided consultancy advice to a variety of public sector clients.

Two years ago I took on a temporary role as unit head of DVS. This gave me joint responsibility for around 350 people, and I helped to lead the DVS national and regional strategy for 2022-23.

I became head of local and devolved government within DVS last year. In my new role, I am keen to develop the VOA’s skills in valuing the sustainable built environment.

To support this aim, last year the VOA gave me the opportunity to return to university and study a master’s degree in this area.

I am really grateful for everything the VOA has done for me over the past 12 years. With their support and investment, I’ve been able to grow and develop as a surveyor and leader.

The various training programmes, mentoring opportunities and development projects I’ve been offered have not only enhanced my capabilities, but helped me to contribute more effectively to the organisation’s goals.

I am particularly grateful for the emphasis placed on continuous learning and personal growth. This has not only benefitted me professionally, but greatly enriched my overall experience at work.

Gareth Palmer is NCA Project Director, working in District Valuer Services (DVS). Here he outlines how the VOA supported him when he started a family.

My life at the VOA started in 2013, when I joined as a graduate surveyor. After qualifying, I worked as a senior surveyor in DVS before being offered a temporary promotion to cover Maternity Leave.

As my colleague returned, my first daughter, Maisie, was born. I got 2 weeks’ paid Paternity Leave, and my wife took 7 months’ Maternity Leave. I took the remaining 5 months as Shared Parental Leave.

Spending 5 whole months with my daughter (albeit in lockdown) was the best decision I could have made, and one I would recommend to any soon-to-be dads.

When I returned to work, I gained a temporary promotion almost immediately. This again covered a colleague’s Maternity Leave.

This role was fantastic, and the experience helped me secure another permanent position at the same grade. My colleague, who I had been covering, was also successful in securing a promotion when she returned, and she became my boss.

In February 2022, my second daughter, Annabelle, was born. The VOA had changed its policy so I then got 4 weeks’ paid Paternity Leave. The extra time off to care for my family was invaluable.

I took Shared Parental Leave again when Annabelle was born. We shared a wonderful 5 months together, going to baby classes and spending days in the city.

I came back to work in November 2022, and was offered another temporary promotion shortly after. I am still here and really enjoying it.

The VOA has been amazing throughout my journey. Taking Shared Parental Leave has never held me back, and I have been offered great opportunities to cover colleagues who are also starting their own families.

Working full time with 2 young kids can be tricky, but the VOA’s flexible hours, hybrid working policy and annual leave allowance really help.