In today’s world it’s important to work for a company that has clear purpose, giving back to communities and supporting what is truly important in the world.

When considering a career move it’s vital to work for a business that is aligned to your values and goals, a place where you can belong. See what WSP stands for in 2024 and beyond…

To find out more about our Land Referencing business click on the following link and discover what awaits you at WSP: https://www.wsp.com/en-GB/services/land-referencing-and-land-assembly

This is an exciting opportunity based in our Belfast office to become part of our multi-disciplinary service line within the WSP Land Team in the delivery of land referencing, land acquisition, land access, formal consents, statutory orders and compensation agreements and landowner management. We are the largest Land Referencing business in the UK and Ireland, delivering high profile projects such as the A5WTC, North South Interconnector, A9 Dualling and HS2.

Our clients develop major highway, rail, energy and renewable infrastructure and projects all of which impact privately owned land. You will work as part of a team of Land Consultants assisting in the liaison with landowners that may be affected by development, obtaining the appropriate consent, gaining access and where necessary compensating them for the impact caused by the scheme.

As part of our team you will support the delivery of land access and land acquisition projects through the identification of land ownership, consultation with landowners, undertaking property valuation, assessing and negotiating compensation, combining skills in GIS, data management and landowner engagement.

The role would ideally suit someone wanting to develop their skills in the Land sector as they will gain experience across significant infrastructure projects in energy and road sectors and consent regimes including Vesting Order, Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and Strategic Infrastructure Development planning applications. We will support your professional development with a relevant professional organisation such as Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Royal Geographical Society (RGS).

Responsibilities

As an Assistant Land Consultant based in our Belfast office, you will be directly supporting the Land team who work alongside engineers, environmental specialists and planners on high profile infrastructure projects providing the level of diligent inquiry needed for the submission of Statutory Orders and the successful acceptance of planning submissions

• Undertake land referencing activities including Land Registry, and Property Registration Authority research, desktop research, questionnaire analysis, landowner liaison, site visits, archival investigations to identify all legal land interests and rights in land and managing information in databases and GIS

• Carry out site visits to landowners and those people and organisations whose property or rights are affected by development and infrastructure delivery

• Negotiate access to land so that environmental and other surveys can be carried out

• Attend and contribute to internal and external project meetings

• You will contribute to the WSP Land Team delivery and success of high-profile infrastructure projects within Ireland and the wider UK business. You will be supporting projects in multiple sectors, including the energy sector, where the team supports the development of critical infrastructure that is crucial for the “net zero” economy

• Support the team in securing and acquiring appropriate land rights for large scale development projects as well as negotiation of Heads of Terms to secure land for projects in a timely fashion, utilising the appropriate mechanism

• Your work will also support our teams in the delivery of land access, land agreements, landowner engagement, stakeholder engagement, and supporting projects through to the consenting stages.

• Utilise statutory powers and the relevant statutory process to acquire land (Vesting Order, CPO, TWAO, Hybrid Bill, DCO) on behalf of WSP clients across the electricity, highway, rail, water, telecoms, gas and renewable energy sectors

Qualifications

• A degree in geography or another relevant discipline, which has provided you with an understanding of the complexities of land-use and/or landownership in Ireland/UK.

• Experience of landowner engagement or working with members of the public.

• A good understanding of Land Referencing and/or the land acquisition process, including researching and identifying landowners/occupiers, land interests and rights in land to keep stakeholders informed of project development (desirable).

• The role will require visits to sites as part of a team, to engage with landowners and stakeholders. This will involve temporary periods staying away from home (accommodation and expenses are provided).

• Provide evidence of working under tight timeframes as part of a busy professional working environment.

• Be an active and collaborative team member, working closely with colleagues and fit seamlessly into a delivery team.

• To provide support to projects by undertaking technical elements of projects on time, within budget and to the agreed standards.

• Ability to undertake and manage tasks independently on multiple projects.

• A degree of comfort in reading and using maps in a technical way.

• Excellent verbal and written communication and organisational skills, with demonstrable experience in managing and quality checking data.

• Experience using MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams).

• A full drivers’ licence is essential

We are WSP - Join us and make your career future ready!

In today’s world it’s important to work for a company that has clear purpose, giving back to communities and supporting what is truly important in the world.

When considering a career move its vital to work for a business that is aligned to your values and goals, a place where you can belong.

To find out more about our business click on the following link and discover what awaits you at WSP: Who We Are | WSP (https://www.wsp.com/en-gb/who-we-are)

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

Work-life balance?

WSP recognises that work is only one part of your life and making time for other things is important – whether that’s for your families, friends, or yourself.

Our hybrid working policy allows the flexibility to work from the comfort of your own home as well as collaborating in our contemporary offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Diversity?

We want our people to achieve rewarding careers, bringing their whole selves to work. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing diversity to create a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP.

Our employee resource groups VIBE (LGBTQ+ employees), CREED (Championing Racial Equality and Ethnic Diversity) and our Gender Balance Group, in tandem with WSP’s Neurodiverse Community Group, WSP Connect Group (visible and non-visible disabilities) help us promote the right environment for you to reach your full potential.

Health & Wellbeing?

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Med24 gives you and your family unrestricted telephone access to an NHS doctor where you can call day or night or have a face-to-face video consultation.

Flex your time?

For improved work life balance, WSP offers the “WSP Hour” which enables you to take one hour per day to do as you wish and make up the time earlier or later that day. We also offer part time and flexible working arrangements plus the option to flex your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development?

We appreciate that development and training is important to you and that’s why we have a supportive environment that invests in your development, whether that’s chartership, training or mentoring.

APPLY NOW AND BE THE FUTURE OF WSP!

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.

Please note WSP reserves the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date.