Army – Project Delivery Higher Executive Officer

Job summary

The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army. As such using data to aid understanding of our workforce is vital.

The Army’s Programmes Directorate brings together our key change programmes to ensure they are delivered to performance, cost and time. We are committed to Project, Programme & Portfolio Management (P3M) and delivery. From every item of basic equipment to the most ground-breaking technology imaginable, every new project brings outstanding possibilities and challenges, and we’ll ensure you’re equipped to succeed, with extensive training and development opportunities.

You will be working alongside a diverse team as our Directorate consists of Civil Servants, military colleagues and contractors, working closely to deliver the Army’s Modernisation Agenda ensuring the successful delivery of the programme through each of its critical stages.

The successful candidates will work with teams to achieve positive outcomes.

We are looking for individuals who are proactive, motivated and possess the ability to problem-solve in a fast-paced environment.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

We enable our people to work at the right place, with the right people, at the right time.

We believe that if we look after our people, they will be as passionate as we are about making a significant contribution to Defence and the Nation.

As part of this campaign, we are looking for 2 Project Delivery Higher Executive Officers to undertake the following roles:

Project manager -The successful candidate will support the Programme Delivery Manager, engaging with stakeholders across receiving units, coordinating efforts with Headquarters and Divisional requirements. We are looking for someone who holds experience of managing equipment projects, if this is within government or a large public organisation it would be an advantage.

Stakeholder manager - The successful candidate will support the Communication and Engagement Lead in delivering specific strategic communications outputs, performing stakeholder analysis to develop the required engagement activity and materials for the key user groups across various channels. We are looking for someone who holds experience of communications planning, if this is within government or a large public organisation it would be an advantage.

Both roles require successful candidates to be organised, proactive and experienced within the areas in which we are advertising. Providing support and input to the Programme Management Office (PMO), you will produce and update key artefacts to support the management and reporting within the programme and outside of the immediate team into the wider organisation.

In addition to this, our project delivery function provides pivotal support to our Programmes. The successful candidates will be involved in supporting and/or leading in activities such as:

• Planning
• Governance & Reporting
• Risk, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies, Opportunities (RAIDO)
• Benefits
• Programme / Project Support
• Portfolio Analysis

If you are looking to strengthen your career in Project Delivery and meet the following criteria, we would like to hear from you;

• Experience of working in a Project/Programme team, and have knowledge of project management practices, methodologies, tools, and techniques including planning, risk management, governance, frameworks, stakeholder management, change control and assurance.
• Role model behaviour; inspiring and leading team members effectively.
• Ability to clearly communicate messages to colleagues and stakeholders, overcoming barriers and taking into consideration diversity of interest.
• Establish and develop productive relationships, bringing people together to benefit the project.
• Ability to interpret and analyse data to inform decision making.
• Application of new ideas and ways of working, encourage and support innovations from others and follow ideas through to implementation.
• Well organised and able to adapt to changing circumstances and adversity whilst remaining calm, reassuring others, and maintaining performance.
• Problem-solver, adapting the best solutions and present findings convincingly.

Following the outcome of the interviews, the role allocation will be determined by the recruiting manager in conjunction with the successful candidates’ skills and experiences.

In return, we offer the opportunity to further professionalise your experience through relevant training, accreditation, and apprenticeship.

We will be looking to utilise a reserve list from this campaign. This means that high-calibre candidates will be contacted after the interview process to discuss similar opportunities in Army Programmes without the need to re-interview.

Director Programmes manages Project Delivery staff on a flexible basis to ensure programmes have the talent required to deliver outputs and maximise opportunities in support of skills development and wider career pathways. In common with all Programmes Directorate staff, the post holder may be redeployed flexibly within the portfolio as priorities change and programmes begin and end.

Person specification

The roles within this campaign help drive our Programme areas, some of the main responsibilities include:

• Creating and maintaining established Project / Programme controls.
• Supporting in the management of Project / Programme related artefacts, ensuring content remains relevant and up to date.
• Preparing and presenting Project / Programme performance reports and updates, utilising O365 and other Project related packages.
• Validating information and challenging where appropriate.
• Cross referencing information against established plans and schedules.
• Creating, implementing, and maintaining appropriate data to produce effective Management Information.
• Applying standard Risk management techniques, providing an overview for the organisation. Including engagement across the team where needed.
• Inputting to the Learning from Experience (LfE) process, assisting in the capture and dissemination of Programme and Project LfE.
• Contribute to and deliver significant elements of the stakeholder engagement process to commence and progress project delivery and collaborate with stakeholders to communicate the programme plan
• Planning and implementing comms activity across various channels to engage with different audiences across the sector

To carry out the entirety of this role you must be able to achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. For further information about security vetting, please search UKSV on GOV.UK.

Desirable Qualifications/Membership:

Candidates will hold or have the willingness to work towards one or more of the following:

• Experience of working within a Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) framework and/or equipment programme is particularly desirable.
• APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ)
• Prince 2 Practitioner
• Agile Project Management Practitioner
• Management of Successful Programmes (MSP)
• Or equivalent qualifications

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 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 employer contribution of 28.97%

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

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

At application, you will be assessed against the following:

Experience -

• Job History (CV)
• Personal Statement - criteria as follows:

In no more than 500 words, please demonstrate the following Essential criteria within your Personal Statement:

• Outline your experience of working in a Portfolio, Programme and/or Project Management (P3M) environment.
• Demonstrate your ability to engage with stakeholders at varying levels.
• Elaborate on your proficiency in organising, planning and working to tight deadlines.

At interview, you will be assessed against the above along with the following:

Behaviours -

• Managing a Quality Service
• Leadership
• Communicating & Influencing

Interviews will take place either virtually or face-to-face. Candidates invited to interview will be informed in advance, providing a minimum of 2 days' notice.

This campaign also requires successful completion of an online verbal test.

There will be maintenance for online tests as follows -

- 01 March 4pm to midnight

- 08 March 4pm to 7pm

- 29 March midday to 1pm, 4pm to midnight

This means you will be unable to access online tests during these times. Your progress will be saved and you will be able to continue once the tests are available again.

Should you be invited to complete the online tests, please allow sufficient time to complete the tests and the remainder of the full application form; only candidates who are successful at the test stage will be invited to complete the remainder of the application by clicking ‘Submit Application’. Your application must be completed by 23:55 on the closing date of the vacancy. Late submissions cannot be accepted. The tests are not timed, as they work by giving you harder questions if you answer the previous question correctly, and easier if you get it wrong. You should allow up to an hour for each test, and each test must be completed before you will be invited to complete the second part of your application. Internet access will be required for the duration of the test. Please refer to the attached Candidate Guidance for further information.

Candidates that reach the minimum required pass mark will have their results saved as a banked score against the following tests:

• New Civil Service Verbal Test

When a candidate has a banked score they’re not asked to re-take the same test providing it is set at the same level. Scores will be banked for a 6 month period from the date of test completion. If a candidate is invited to take the same test against multiple vacancies, the banked score will be recognised against all vacancies and all active applications will progress.

If you require any particular arrangements (for example due to a disability or health problem) to be made in order for you to complete the online test you MUST contact the DBS Enquiry Centre on 0800 345 7772 BEFORE accessing the online test.

Opening times Mon -Friday 0800- 1600 hrs.

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.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : ArmyProgs-PfO-PDCap-Resource@mod.gov.uk
• Email : ArmyProgs-PfO-PDCap-Resource@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dbscivpers-resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.

Attachments

Candidate Information Opens in new window (docx, 32kB)20240307-ArmyTLBEVP Opens in new window (pdf, 3932kB)EXTERNAL PACK (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)