Defence Digital Senior Projects Support Officer
Ministry of Defence
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 29th September 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Defence Digital ensures our Armed Forces remain among the most technologically advanced in the world. We do this by putting innovative and effective technology into the hands of over 200,000 users, from the boardroom to the front line.
We lead on cutting-edge data science, automation, and cybersecurity at scale. Our mission goes beyond the battlefield by leading humanitarian efforts and driving digital innovation that impacts lives across the globe.
Defence Digital forms part of Strategic Command which manages the MOD’s joint capabilities for the Army, RAF, and Royal Navy.
Watch our video to see what we do at Defence Digital!
Passionate about using your skills to make a critical difference? Your next career move could be here.
Job description
Defence Digital is a rewarding and dynamic place to work. We offer employees the opportunity to develop within their role and progress through the organisation via a number of Learning and Development opportunities and activities.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Projects Support Officer, to aid the core Delivery Defences Capabilities. It was created out of a long-term governance structure, that delivers the assurance to the Senior Responsible Owner in the effective delivery of the Programme benefits. The team provides the operational focus, for the capability that you will be delivering.
Our work is varied, interesting and most importantly it's impactful. You will be responsible for the smooth running of the programme by supporting the Programme Delivery Manager and wider team through the operation of programme management processes, and the coordination of programme management actions and activities on their behalf. Working closely with the Delivery Teams across the individual projects to obtain assurance regarding project progress.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Person specification
We are a friendly, diverse, and inclusive team of energetic and creative individuals and welcome those who can bring their talents and fresh perspectives to the team. You will work to provide assurance that projects are being delivered with a focus on performance, cost, and time across the programme.
This role covers a diverse range of activities to support the delivery of the programmes objectives. This will be achieved through:
- Collect timely and accurate data to report on Assurance activities, planned or otherwise on a regular basis to the Programme Delivery Manager, ensuring there are regular reviews with project managers to monitor the progress of the projects, highlighting any issues with performance, cost, or time.
- Monitor project milestones and provide assurance that the project activities and project plan remain aligned to the programme objectives. Maintain records for each project with regards to key points and decisions.
- Implement and maintain appropriate systems to enable effective planning and scheduling of the programme
- Responsible for collating outcomes or recommendations from reviews and feeding these back to the Programme Delivery Manager. Ensure project review meetings are scheduled and attended. Provide an update on the outcomes to the Programme Delivery Manager with reference to delivering against the business case, highlighting any issues.
- Ensure organisational tasks are carried out efficiently.
- Manage professional relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, and act as lead point of contact for some external parties. Draft and sign-off correspondence as required.
- Monitor project spend against the original budget, work with the project manager to create any requests for change, ensuring these follow the correct process.
- Monitor potential risk areas for each project, working with risk managers and escalating to the Programme Delivery Manager as appropriate.
You will need to have the following Essential Criteria.
- Experience in project or programme management.
- Demonstrable experience of reporting on project or programme performance.
- Knowledge and understanding of the project life cycle.
For further information on the role and responsibilities, please refer to the Project Delivery Capability Framework: Project Delivery Capability Framework - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
**Please note that due to security and information access restriction, the role is only open to a sole BRITISH national**
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Leadership
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Change Control
- Knowledge Management
Benefits
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- 25 days annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
- Ability to roll over up to 10 days annual leave per year
- In addition to 8 public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The King's birthday
- Minimum of 15 Days Special Leave in a rolling 12-month period to for volunteer military or emergency service reserve commitments
- Special Paid Leave for volunteering up to 6 days a year
- Enhanced parental and adoption leave
- Employee Assistance Programme to support your well-being
- Most sites have good travel links with free car parking; many also have other facilities such as a Sports & Social Club and Gyms
- Benefit Pension Scheme: Civil Service pension
- Please see Benefits link for more info: Civilian Discover My Benefits (mod.gov.uk)
Hybrid Working
Due to the nature of the post and the high-class systems, that you will be using, you will be required to attend site daily with limited opportunity to work remotely. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time. Dependent on the ‘tasking’ and business need, there will be a requirement to travel to meetings within the UK (and may be potential occasional overseas visits).
Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
Equality and Diversity
Our people are at the heart of everything we do at Defence Digital. It’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our audience and the wider society in the UK, so we’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities. We also recognise the importance of a good work life balance, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including part-time and job shares for all our roles. Please let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process if this is something you want to explore.
Professional Framework Statement
Defence Digital operates an organisation model in which every individual belongs to a Government Profession. The successful applicant will be posted into one of the defined Government Professions on Standard Terms of Reference for the grade. Defence Digital reserves the right to move individuals between roles, within their allocated profession, to meet the needs of the business and in support of agile resourcing. Within Defence Digital each profession is led by a Professional Head of Community who will lead professional development and support the Continuous Professional Development path for their group.
Learning & Development
In Defence Digital we have a strong learning and development ethos, supporting you to fulfil your potential by providing:
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- Professional and Personal Development of skills
- Access to thousands of training courses through Civil Service Learning, some free or paid by MOD
- Ability to obtain industry recognised qualifications supported by MOD
Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities. Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions.
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
At Defence Digital we are replacing a personal statement with technical questions. This change allows you to better showcase your skills and expertise directly relevant to the role, ensuring a fairer and more efficient recruitment process. We believe this will give you the best opportunity to demonstrate your qualifications and strengths.
The answer to each question should be no longer than 500 words. Your CV and Technical questions will be scored 1-7 and will assess your suitability to be invited to interview.
To apply please complete the CV template provided on the CS Jobs dashboard, ensuring it highlights your relevance to the essential criteria. Your CV will be scored against the Essential Criteria, listed within the job advert.
Technical Questions
- Describe your experience of managing professional relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Describe how you manage conflicting priorities within a workplace setting or similar.
Please find below, a link to our video which gives you helpful tips and guidance on the CS Jobs application process:
Watch: How to apply on CS Jobs: Guide and Tips
Behaviours
When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the interview process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Leadership
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
Technical
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the interview process:
- Change Control
- Knowledge Management
The sift will be held W/C: 30/09/24 and interviews, will be held in person on site, W/C: 07/10/24, at: MOD Main Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB. We will try and offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for assessments or interviews.
AI Usage in Job Applications
We encourage the use of technology to streamline the job application process. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be helpful in generating ideas, improving writing style, and increasing efficiency. However, it is essential that any content submitted as part of a job application is truthful, accurate, and a genuine reflection of the applicant’s qualifications and experiences. Any use of AI should be supplementary to your own knowledge and abilities. Ultimately, the application should demonstrate your unique skills and suitability for the role.
**Please note that due to security and information access restriction, the role is only open to a sole BRITISH national. **
Successful candidates must meet the required security requirements before they can be appointed and this includes Developed Vetting.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk.
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.
The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Defence Digital Talent Acquisition Team
- Email : UKStratComDD-HR-TalentAcqDel@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
Further information
info@csc.gov.uk.
