Directorate Navy Acquisition Multi-Role Strike Ship Programme Manager
Ministry of Defence
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 18th November 2024
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The role is suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace for at least 60% of the time in the office (subject to building capacity) or out on official business and working from home as a personal choice.
This role requires the 60% office-based time to be split between Portsmouth and Bristol. The role has line management responsibilities for the Programme Team who all work in NCHQ (60% in office) therefore there is a minimum requirement to attend Portsmouth at least one day a week even if the successful candidate wishes to be based in Bristol/ lives elsewhere.
There may also be a requirement for regular travel to other stakeholder locations such as MOD DE&S Bristol, Plymouth and Lympstone and occasional foreign visits, which may require overnight accommodation.
If you are successful, hybrid working options will be discussed and agreed with you prior to you taking up your post
About the job
Job summary
This is a rare opportunity to join and influence one of the Royal Navy’s highest profile shipbuilding programme’s that will protect the Nations interests all over the world into the 2050s and beyond.
As the Multi Role Strike Ships (MRSS) Programme Manager (PM) you will help to lead a Government Major Programme acquisition to deliver up to six new MRSS. With its primary purpose to project and sustain the UK Commando Force from the sea to land objectives, the MRSS will replace the Navy’s current amphibious fleet in the early 2030s.
The MRSS Programme is at a critical point as it works towards Outline Business Case submission in mid-2025 against the backdrop of a Strategic Defence Review and Spending Review. The successful candidate will require PM background with a working knowledge of the 5 Case Model, Governance, Risk, Schedule and Financial awareness, and Assurance and Approvals experience. The PM will need a working knowledge of stakeholder management with ability to develop working relationships across multiple Agencies (MOD, Navy, delivery agents and cost, assurance and approvals teams). They will need to work collaboratively with PMs across the Acquisition Portfolio and the SRO Command Force Team and confidence to speak honestly to Senior Leadership. They will need leadership, organisational and management experience, be open, approachable, and able to lead and develop their Team members professionally within a safe working environment.
We value diversity within our team and operate flexible ways of working; we support all our team members to find the right balance of home and office working that is right for them.
In Navy Command, our civil servants collaborate with their military colleagues in jobs that matter; jobs which often have a direct impact on the quality of the operational capabilities we deliver. Roles can offer great job satisfaction and there are many opportunities to develop and progress both within the Department and across the wider Civil Service.
If you're ready to lead a dynamic civilian/military team, engage with stakeholders, and contribute to delivering impactful projects, we invite you to apply. Bring your leadership, programme management, stakeholder, and networking skills to the MRSS Team and make a real difference.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job description
The Directorate Navy Acquisition (DNA) was created to manage and optimise the current resources and expertise in the Navy’s acquisition programmes to professionalise the delivery of complex programmes in Navy Command.
The MRSS PM role sits within this construct, managing programme outputs to support DNA’s strategic objectives.
The PM will be a critical part of the MRSS Programme Senior Leadership Team within DNA working directly to the Programme Director and Senior Responsible Owner to ensure the programme-level outputs are being delivered in accordance with P3M principles working closely with other areas of the Headquarters such as Finance, Commercial and Performance Group.
The programme team is a small but highly motivated mix of Civil Servants and Royal Navy military personnel which seeks to expand and increase resilience and capacity as the programme works towards Outline Business Case submission and enters the delivery phase. While hybrid working will be available, the role requires a level of in person engagement in both Portsmouth and Abbey Wood to fulfil programme delivery requirements and to engage and lead/mentor/support their Programme Team staff.
The MRSS PM is accountable to the Programme Director and Senior Responsible Owner (Deputy Director Commando Force) for delivery of their objectives.
Main responsibilities will include:
- Overall Programme delivery is managed and monitored effectively to support the implementation of the outlined strategy and direction of the SRO/Programme Director.
- Assuring the delivery and quality of Programme Outcomes and associated artefacts, within the allocated Performance, Cost, Time and Risk envelopes, ensuring benefits, timescales and other success factors are tracked and managed, proactively.
- Managing risks and issues to ensure delivery achievability, providing options to address complex risks & issues and manage through to resolution, escalating to the SRO/Programme Director for key decisions.
- Assuring and interpreting information to provide a coherent set of management information advice to Deputy Director (SCS1)/1* and above to support effective decision making.
- Own the programme costing, scheduling and risk processes including all programme documentation and control products which clearly articulate the programme and how controls will be applied and managed to support effective and timely decision making.
- Lead the wider programme team across all Defence Lines of Delivery and Delivery Agents, acting as an intelligent customer to monitor and assess business agreement delivery.
- Represent SRO and Programme Director as required within NCHQ, across the MOD and wider Government community.
- Management of internal governance arrangements and associated Key Programme Meetings and Boards, acting as Chair or Secretariat where required.
- Manage the scrutiny, and approvals process to obtain approval as required by NCHQ/MOD and in line with the Integrated Approvals and Assurance Plan, including Investment Approvals Committee decision-making and NCHQ balance of investment activities as required and within the limits of delegated authority.
- Manage any internal or external programme reviews analysing the outcomes of the reviews and develop plans to address recommendations.
- Ensuring management information using Project Online (POL) is up to date and sufficient to provide robust and accurate central reporting.
- Support the definition of Programme Scope where required identifying areas for spiral development within the wider scope of the long-term Capability Road map.
- Drafting Programme artefacts to a standard suitable for submission as required, including the development of Business Cases and associated evidence.
- Drafting papers, answers to parliamentary questions, management briefings, financial and resourcing profile submissions.
Person specification
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate evidence of personal delivery in the following areas:
- Programme Management (Governance, Risk, Schedule, Finance, Approvals, Assurance)
- Leadership, Communications and Team Working.
The successful candidate will ideally hold relevant professional qualifications and be a member of a relevant professional body e.g., APM or be willing to work towards this in post.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Working Together
- Seeing the Big Picture
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- P3M24 Business Case
Benefits
As a civil servant in Navy Command, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference. Navy Command prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance. Other benefits for Navy Command civil servants include:
- 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
- A very competitive pension scheme
- Personal & professional development
- Alternative working patterns for many roles
- Access to a confidential, professional support service
- Discount schemes
- Bicycle / season ticket loans
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
- Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year
In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role. An apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through an apprenticeship you will gain professional knowledge, practical experience, and the broader skills required to upskill you in your current role and pave the way for your future career. Most of the training will be ‘on-the-job,’ with the remaining ‘off-the-job’ training often delivered by a training provider. This means minimal disruption and maximum impact. Professional qualifications can be achieved through an apprenticeship and range from Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs), Level 3 (equivalent to 2 A Levels), and Levels 4 -7, which can give you a foundation degree, a full bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree. Apprenticeships normally last between 12 months - 3 years, depending on the level of the apprenticeship.
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 Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
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.
Candidates will need to provide a Job History (CV) and Personal Statement of Suitability of 750 words.
Individuals are advised to tailor their Personal Statement to provide evidence of personal delivery in the following areas:
- Programme Management (Governance, Risk, Schedule, Finance, Approvals, Assurance)
- Leadership, Communications and Team Working.
At interview, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours/Technical Skills:
- Leadership
- Working Together
- Seeing The Big Picture
Technical Skills:
At interview, you will be assessed against the following Technical Skills:
- P3M24 Business Case
The initial sift on CV and Personal Statement will take place after the advert closing date, and interviews will follow in person at NCHQ Portsmouth as soon as practicable after.
During the panel interview you will be asked behaviour and technical-based questions.
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 in to 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. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It 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.
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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 : Leila Millson
- Email : leila.millson100@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
Further information
