NJC Job Evaluation Scheme
For employees in schools, local government and housing associations
NJC Job Evaluation Scheme
For employees in schools, local government and housing associations
NJC Job Evaluation Scheme
For employees in schools, local government and housing associations
Our Job Evaluation solution is the preferred technology partner to:




We have a unique experience in the provision of job evaluation software, we having been chosen to provide the software, incorporating the NJC 13-factor scheme, for the introduction of single status – the national agreement aimed at re-organising pay and rewards in Local government, enabling councils to ensure, in theory, all staff receive equal pay for work of equal value.
We have a unique experience in the provision of job evaluation software, we having been chosen to provide the software, incorporating the NJC 13-factor scheme, for the introduction of single status – the national agreement aimed at re-organising pay and rewards in Local government, enabling councils to ensure, in theory, all staff receive equal pay for work of equal value.
The NJC scheme has been subject to regular updates, most recently in 2013 and 2019 as there continues to be a significant change in the local government landscape in the form of new and evolving jobs emerging against a background of significant restructuring of councils.
Scheme reviews are conducted by the NJC’s Job Evaluation Technical Working Group (JETWG) which comprises representatives from UNISON, GMB, Unite, the LGA (advised by a practitioner from a local authority), a consultant from Pilat (regarding the Gauge+ software) and an independent JE advisor.
With the current and recent reviews, no changes have been made to the basic structure of the scheme or the associated weighting or scoring, with the main changes being to the guidance notes and help text (conventions) associated with the scheme. The most recent review encompasses both the paper and computerised (Gauge+) versions of the NJC scheme.
The Gauge+ software is designed to optimise the efficiency of the job evaluation process, incorporating the NJC’s analytical job evaluation scheme which is sound and robust and enables employers to produce appropriate job hierarchies based on relevant components.
NJC 13-Factor Scheme
Job Evaluation schemes follow a set of rules (factors; factor definitions; scoring and weighting) according to which jobs are assessed and measured by the evaluation panel or committee. The Local Government Association and Job Evaluation Technical Working Group created the 13 factor NJC scheme to apply to a wide range of different jobs and to measure job demands.
The factors that have been established define the worth of job, e.g. skills required, responsibilities, working conditions, etc. giving HR and Job Analysts the necessary information to review jobs
- Knowledge
- Mental Skills
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Physical Skills
- Initiative and Independence
- Physical Demands
- Mental Demands
- Emotional Demands
- Responsibility for People
- Responsibility for Financial Resources
- Responsibility for Supervision
- Responsibility for Physical Resources
- Working Conditions
This factor measures the Mental Skills required for the job. It includes analytical, problem-solving and judgemental skills. It also includes creative and developmental skills, whether related to design, handling of people or development of policies and procedures; and planning and strategic skills. It takes into account requirements to gather, collate and analyse the facts needed to solve problems; and also requirements for imaginative thinking.
This factor measures the Interpersonal and Communication Skills required for the job. It includes oral, linguistic, sign and written communication skills. The emphasis of the factor is on the purpose to which the interpersonal and communication skills are put (for example, training, promoting, obtaining information from others, interviewing, gaining the co-operation of others, team working, advising, motivating, persuading, counselling, conciliating, negotiating, meeting the needs of others). The factor covers the complexity or contentiousness of the subject matter to be conveyed, and any requirements to exercise confidentiality or sensitivity. It takes into account the nature, diversity, cultural background and size of the intended audiences.
This factor measures the Physical Skills required for the job. It covers manual and finger dexterity, hand-eye coordination, coordination of limbs, and sensory co-ordination. It takes into account the purpose to which the skills are put and demands arising from the need to achieve specified standards of speed and precision.
This factor measures the scope allowed to the jobholder to exercise initiative and take independent actions. It takes into account the nature and level of supervision of the jobholder; the level and degree of direction and guidance provided by policies, precedents, procedures and regulations; and any requirements to organise or quality check own work.
This factor measures the type, amount, continuity and frequency of the physical effort required by the job. It covers stamina as well as strength. It takes into account all forms of bodily effort, for example, that required for standing and walking, lifting and carrying, pulling and pushing. It also includes the physical demands involved in working in awkward positions, for example, bending, crouching, stretching; for sitting, standing or working in a constrained position; and for maintaining the required pace of work.
This factor measures the degree and frequency of the mental concentration, alertness and attention required by the job. It takes into account features which may make concentration more difficult, for example, repetitive work, interruptions or the need to switch between varied tasks or activities; and other forms of work-related pressure, for instance, arising from conflicting work demands. It also takes into account the responsiveness required of the jobholder.
This factor measures the nature and frequency of the Emotional Demands on the jobholder arising from contacts or work with other people. It takes into account the situation in which the contacts or work with other people occur, for example, whether they are angry, difficult, upset or unwell; or whether their circumstances are such as to cause stress to the jobholder, for example, if the people concerned are terminally ill, very frail, at risk of abuse, homeless or disadvantaged in some other way.
This factor measures the direct responsibility of the job holder for financial resources, including cash, vouchers, cheques, debits and credits, invoices, budgets and income. It takes into account the nature of the responsibility, for example, correctness and accuracy; safekeeping, confidentiality and security; deployment and degree of direct control; budgetary and business planning responsibilities; planning, organising and long term development of the financial resources. It also takes into account the degree to which other employees contribute to the overall responsibility, the frequency with which the responsibility is exercised and the value of the financial resources.
This factor measures the direct responsibility of the jobholder for the supervision, coordination or management of employees, or others in an equivalent position. It includes work planning and allocation; checking and evaluating the work of others; and training, development and guidance. It also includes responsibility for personnel functions for those for whom the jobholder has a formal supervisory responsibility, such as recruitment, discipline, appraisal; and planning, organising and long term development of human resources. The emphasis of the factor is on the nature of the responsibility, rather than the precise numbers of employees supervised, coordinated or managed. It takes into account the extent to which other employees contribute to the overall responsibility.
This factor measures the direct responsibility of the job holder for physical resources, including manual or computerised information; data and records; office and other equipment; tools and instruments; vehicles; plant and machinery; land, construction works, buildings and fittings and fixtures; personal possessions; and goods, produce, stocks and supplies. It takes into account the nature of the responsibility, for example, safekeeping, confidentiality and security; deployment and degree of direct control; maintenance and repair; ordering, purchasing and replacement authority; planning, organising and long term development of the physical resources. It also takes into account the degree to which other employees contribute to the overall responsibility, the frequency with which the responsibility is exercised and the value of the physical resources.
This factor measures exposure to disagreeable, unpleasant, uncomfortable or hazardous working conditions arising from the environment or from work with people. It covers the frequency, duration and nature of conditions, such as dust, dirt, temperature extremes and variations, humidity, noise, vibration, fumes and smells, human or animal waste steam, smoke, grease or oil, inclement weather, lack of privacy or isolation, and the risk of illness or injury arising from exposure to diseases, toxic substances, machinery or work locations. It also covers abuse, aggression and risk of injury from people. The factor measures those aspects of the working environment which are unavoidable and integral to the job. Health and safety regulations and requirements are assumed to be met, but the requirement to wear protective clothing may create disagreeable or uncomfortable conditions. The emphasis of this factor is on the degree of unpleasantness or discomfort caused. This takes into account the frequency, intensity and duration of exposure to particular conditions; and the additional effect of variations or combinations of conditions. land, construction works, buildings and fittings and fixtures; personal possessions; and goods, produce, stocks and supplies. It takes into account the nature of the responsibility, for example, safekeeping, confidentiality and security; deployment and degree of direct control; maintenance and repair; ordering, purchasing and replacement authority; planning, organising and long term development of the physical resources. It also takes into account the degree to which other employees contribute to the overall responsibility, the frequency with which the responsibility is exercised and the value of the physical resources.
The NJC scheme has been subject to regular updates, most recently in 2013 and 2019 as there continues to be a significant change in the local government landscape in the form of new and evolving jobs emerging against a background of significant restructuring of councils.
Scheme reviews are conducted by the NJC’s Job Evaluation Technical Working Group (JETWG) which comprises representatives from UNISON, GMB, Unite, the LGA (advised by a practitioner from a local authority), a consultant from Pilat (regarding the Gauge+ software) and an independent JE advisor.
With the current and recent reviews, no changes have been made to the basic structure of the scheme or the associated weighting or scoring, with the main changes being to the guidance notes and help text (conventions) associated with the scheme. The most recent review encompasses both the paper and computerised (Gauge+) versions of the NJC scheme.
The Gauge+ software is designed to optimise the efficiency of the job evaluation process, incorporating the NJC’s analytical job evaluation scheme which is sound and robust and enables employers to produce appropriate job hierarchies based on relevant components.

NJC 13-Factor Scheme
Job Evaluation schemes follow a set of rules (factors; factor definitions; scoring and weighting) according to which jobs are assessed and measured by the evaluation panel or committee. The Local Government Association and Job Evaluation Technical Working Group created the 13 factor NJC scheme to apply to a wide range of different jobs and to measure job demands.
The factors that have been established define the worth of job, e.g. skills required, responsibilities, working conditions, etc. giving HR and Job Analysts the necessary information to review jobs
- Knowledge
- Mental Skills
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Physical Skills
- Initiative and Independence
- Physical Demands
- Mental Demands
- Emotional Demands
- Responsibility for People
- Responsibility for Financial Resources
- Responsibility for Supervision
- Responsibility for Physical Resources
- Working Conditions
This factor measures the Mental Skills required for the job. It includes analytical, problem-solving and judgemental skills. It also includes creative and developmental skills, whether related to design, handling of people or development of policies and procedures; and planning and strategic skills. It takes into account requirements to gather, collate and analyse the facts needed to solve problems; and also requirements for imaginative thinking.
This factor measures the Interpersonal and Communication Skills required for the job. It includes oral, linguistic, sign and written communication skills. The emphasis of the factor is on the purpose to which the interpersonal and communication skills are put (for example, training, promoting, obtaining information from others, interviewing, gaining the co-operation of others, team working, advising, motivating, persuading, counselling, conciliating, negotiating, meeting the needs of others). The factor covers the complexity or contentiousness of the subject matter to be conveyed, and any requirements to exercise confidentiality or sensitivity. It takes into account the nature, diversity, cultural background and size of the intended audiences.
This factor measures the Physical Skills required for the job. It covers manual and finger dexterity, hand-eye coordination, coordination of limbs, and sensory co-ordination. It takes into account the purpose to which the skills are put and demands arising from the need to achieve specified standards of speed and precision.
This factor measures the scope allowed to the jobholder to exercise initiative and take independent actions. It takes into account the nature and level of supervision of the jobholder; the level and degree of direction and guidance provided by policies, precedents, procedures and regulations; and any requirements to organise or quality check own work.
This factor measures the type, amount, continuity and frequency of the physical effort required by the job. It covers stamina as well as strength. It takes into account all forms of bodily effort, for example, that required for standing and walking, lifting and carrying, pulling and pushing. It also includes the physical demands involved in working in awkward positions, for example, bending, crouching, stretching; for sitting, standing or working in a constrained position; and for maintaining the required pace of work.
This factor measures the degree and frequency of the mental concentration, alertness and attention required by the job. It takes into account features which may make concentration more difficult, for example, repetitive work, interruptions or the need to switch between varied tasks or activities; and other forms of work-related pressure, for instance, arising from conflicting work demands. It also takes into account the responsiveness required of the jobholder.
This factor measures the nature and frequency of the Emotional Demands on the jobholder arising from contacts or work with other people. It takes into account the situation in which the contacts or work with other people occur, for example, whether they are angry, difficult, upset or unwell; or whether their circumstances are such as to cause stress to the jobholder, for example, if the people concerned are terminally ill, very frail, at risk of abuse, homeless or disadvantaged in some other way.
This factor measures the direct responsibility of the job holder for financial resources, including cash, vouchers, cheques, debits and credits, invoices, budgets and income. It takes into account the nature of the responsibility, for example, correctness and accuracy; safekeeping, confidentiality and security; deployment and degree of direct control; budgetary and business planning responsibilities; planning, organising and long term development of the financial resources. It also takes into account the degree to which other employees contribute to the overall responsibility, the frequency with which the responsibility is exercised and the value of the financial resources.
This factor measures the direct responsibility of the jobholder for the supervision, coordination or management of employees, or others in an equivalent position. It includes work planning and allocation; checking and evaluating the work of others; and training, development and guidance. It also includes responsibility for personnel functions for those for whom the jobholder has a formal supervisory responsibility, such as recruitment, discipline, appraisal; and planning, organising and long term development of human resources. The emphasis of the factor is on the nature of the responsibility, rather than the precise numbers of employees supervised, coordinated or managed. It takes into account the extent to which other employees contribute to the overall responsibility.
This factor measures the direct responsibility of the job holder for physical resources, including manual or computerised information; data and records; office and other equipment; tools and instruments; vehicles; plant and machinery; land, construction works, buildings and fittings and fixtures; personal possessions; and goods, produce, stocks and supplies. It takes into account the nature of the responsibility, for example, safekeeping, confidentiality and security; deployment and degree of direct control; maintenance and repair; ordering, purchasing and replacement authority; planning, organising and long term development of the physical resources. It also takes into account the degree to which other employees contribute to the overall responsibility, the frequency with which the responsibility is exercised and the value of the physical resources.
This factor measures exposure to disagreeable, unpleasant, uncomfortable or hazardous working conditions arising from the environment or from work with people. It covers the frequency, duration and nature of conditions, such as dust, dirt, temperature extremes and variations, humidity, noise, vibration, fumes and smells, human or animal waste steam, smoke, grease or oil, inclement weather, lack of privacy or isolation, and the risk of illness or injury arising from exposure to diseases, toxic substances, machinery or work locations. It also covers abuse, aggression and risk of injury from people. The factor measures those aspects of the working environment which are unavoidable and integral to the job. Health and safety regulations and requirements are assumed to be met, but the requirement to wear protective clothing may create disagreeable or uncomfortable conditions. The emphasis of this factor is on the degree of unpleasantness or discomfort caused. This takes into account the frequency, intensity and duration of exposure to particular conditions; and the additional effect of variations or combinations of conditions. land, construction works, buildings and fittings and fixtures; personal possessions; and goods, produce, stocks and supplies. It takes into account the nature of the responsibility, for example, safekeeping, confidentiality and security; deployment and degree of direct control; maintenance and repair; ordering, purchasing and replacement authority; planning, organising and long term development of the physical resources. It also takes into account the degree to which other employees contribute to the overall responsibility, the frequency with which the responsibility is exercised and the value of the physical resources.
Factor-based evaluation
Grade designer
Pay modelling
Job ranking
Job families
Job overview
“Gauge is a powerful and easy to use job evaluation tool that brings our job evaluation scheme to life”
— Police Scotland
Training
When purchasing a Gauge software license, there will be an opportunity to find out more about the scheme from one of the Reward Consultants here at Pilat.
Training offered prior to implementation includes the history, methodology and practical use of the NJC scheme. And, of course, training on how to use the software itself.
Implementation
Pilat provides clients with comprehensive support, before, during and after the implementation of the scheme.
Before implementation, Pilat will customise your Job Evaluation portal to white label the solution and ensure all roles within the organisation are on the platform for a seamless start.
During implementation, we can support your organisation by providing training to Job Analysts, wider HR department and the senior management team.
If there are any Gauge queries post-implementation, Pilat offers a Job Evaluation helpline that you can contact for further support.
Image Gallery
Training
When purchasing a Gauge software license, there will be an opportunity to find out more about the scheme from one of the Reward Consultants here at Pilat.
Training offered prior to implementation includes the history, methodology and practical use of the NJC scheme. And, of course, training on how to use the software itself.
Implementation
Pilat provides clients with comprehensive support, before, during and after the implementation of the scheme.
Before implementation, Pilat will customise your Job Evaluation portal to white label the solution and ensure all roles within the organisation are on the platform for a seamless start.
During implementation, we can support your organisation by providing training to Job Analysts, wider HR department and the senior management team.
If there are any Gauge queries post-implementation, Pilat offers a Job Evaluation helpline that you can contact for further support.
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