Project Support Officer - Directorate Of Overseas Bases

We are recruiting three HEO grade posts to join the Directorate of Overseas Bases (DirOB) Programmes Team. These posts are 3-year Fixed-term Appointments as a Project/Programme Officer.

If you are a permanent MOD civil servant and are found successful for an advertised Fixed term post on promotion, you will retain the substantive promotion grade at the end of your posting period.

This post is advertised at 37 hours per week.

DirOB as a sub-organisation is a mixed military and civilian team responsible for the operational command and management of the UK’s Permanent Joint Operating Bases (Cyprus, Gibraltar, British Indian Ocean Territory, Ascension Island, and the Falkland Islands) along with joint units based either overseas or who deliver their roles and missions overseas.

P3M (Project, Programme and Portfolio Management) Team within DirOB has responsibility for the management and delivery of a broad span of projects including building infrastructure, capability delivery and workforce reform.

Close liaison and coordination with colleagues in Head Office, throughout the Front Line Commands and across Other Government Departments will be required; therefore strong interpersonal and engagement skills are needed for this post.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an expanding team which has clear contributions to Defence Outputs and the UK’s international standing. Travel to various Defence location both UK and abroad may be required.

The successful candidate will be:

Reporting to a lead for one of the specific geographical areas, each HEO will use their P3M Project Support skills to assist in their responsibilities of:

• Support the programme manager by clearly defining and driving the delivery of the project’s objectives ensuring these are achieved within the agreed time, cost, and quality constraints.
• Identify, track and report on Risks, Issues and Dependencies, putting in place mitigating actions and escalating information where required.
• Identify stakeholders and being output focused when engaging them to work with DirOB.
• Implement and maintain appropriate ways of working for effective Planning and Scheduling projects.
• Bring together the outputs from the Enabling Organisations (which help to deliver defence projects) to enhance the communication and coordination of project activities.
• Develop project documents using DirOB information management practices to ensure visibility of progress is reported clearly and coherently.
• Support the co-ordination of Business Cases, Review Notes and other formal documentation.

The recruitment process:

This is a Fixed-term Appointment as a Project Support Officer in the Directorate of Overseas Bases. Your responsibilities will be as described in this job advert. The reason why you are appointed for a fixed period is due a recruitment freeze and funding allocations. This post will therefore begin on your appointment and end 36 months after that date. You should be aware that when your Fixed-term Appointment at MOD comes to an end, arrangements will be made in line with the FTA policy.

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.

These roles are suitable for people with experience of working in a project environment. It is desirable to hold any form of project/programme management qualifications or have the willingness to work towards one (e.g., Association of Project Managers (APM PFQ), Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) Foundation, PRINCE2 Foundation).

Confidence in using a range of communication skills is required when articulating potentially complex and detailed information to stakeholders of DirOB. This person will take their initiative to deliver relevant information at the appropriate level to the right stakeholders.

The role is heavily involved with overseeing reporting and ensuring information is accessible. Strong administration skills are essential, including use of Office-365 software.

The team is multi-disciplinary, dynamic and is a fast paced environment, DirOB is looking for adaptable and passionate individuals looking to enhance their career experience, learning as they work.

Please see the Project Delivery Capability Framework, HEO, Project Support Officer (Pg. 202 – 203). assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65561f36046ed4000d8b9a33/PDCF-V3.pdf

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

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.

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.

Job contact :

Name :
Henry Bartlett
Email :
Henry.bartlett104@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

Email :
DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk