Head of Programme Delivery

Job summary

At FCDO Services, we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we’re on. In our world, it all matters.

Our Digital and Data technology team are at the forefront of digital innovation. They provide the best in-class solutions for our customers, helping to shape and support a data-driven future for the UK government. Whether it’s creating bespoke, secure software, offering programme and application support or moving an entire embassy’s servers to a Cloud platform. No matter the task, they are on hand to support. Now, you’ve got the opportunity to join them.

Job description

Providing innovation to government partners

Delivering best-in-class solutions

Working at the cutting-edge of technology

It all matters

Provide strategic oversight while delivering high-impact programmes of work

As one of our Heads of Programme Delivery, you’ll play a key role in managing and delivering programme’s on behalf of our customers.

You’ll be responsible for ensuring the service is performing to high standards, that governance is in place to safeguard delivery against time, cost and quality commitments and that progress is reported to our customers and stakeholders, all with the right management framework in place.

Coordinating inputs from our customers to ensure smooth project plans, and implementing a value management strategy that keeps everything aligned within the budget. You will play a key part in keeping programmes fluent, transparent and on track.

We’ll also look to you to appraise key options and secure professional advisers and other resources. Team collaboration is critical and you’ll encourage and support your colleagues’ performance and development, and help the team implement recovery plans when issues or challenges arise.

In addition to your day-to-day oversight, you’ll also contribute to longer-term operational planning – this will involve shaping the three-year strategy for core systems, and influencing the future direction of products delivered through the programmes you work on.

Bring your leadership skills to vital programmes that protect our global operation

A highly professional and experienced leader with superb communication and problem-solving skills, you’ll be ready to inspire and motivate your team as you work on a range of programmes that have a major impact on the UK’s safety and security. You’ll be working with a diverse range of customers and stakeholders, so you should also possess a confident and positive approach to everything you focus on.

When it comes to qualifications, you should be a chartered professional, ideally with APM or an equivalent body, and you’ll also possess wide-ranging experience of leading the initiation, shaping and delivery of complex programmes within matrix environments. In addition, we’ll expect you to be experienced in applying structured programme management methodologies while remaining adaptable when priorities shift and have extensive effective customer and senior stakeholder management experience.

Discover the support you need to grow your career further

But we’re always looking to improve – just like you. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us. Our offices have an on site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It's a great set of benefits made to support all you do, and all you need.

Every single colleague must be security cleared before joining us. If you’re successful in your application, we’ll ask you to undergo our vetting process to achieve Developed Vetting (DV). This role is a reserved post and applications are only being accepted from single nationality candidates and not dual nationals. You can find out more about vetting on our website: https://www.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/how-to-apply/

To find out more about our benefits and our organisation, please visit fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world

The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And why we’re recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.

Person specification

Chartered member of relevant professional body, e.g. APM.

Significant experience of leading initiation, shaping and delivery of complex programme’s in a matrix structure.

Experience of applying appropriate Programme Management methodologies.

Extensive customer and senior stakeholder management.

Adaptable and flexible; able to respond to changing or conflicting priorities adeptly.

Memberships

Chartered member of relevant professional body, e.g. APM

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

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

• Commercial Awareness
• Significant experience of leading initiation, shaping and delivery of complex programme’s in a matrix structure.
• Experience of applying appropriate Programme Management methodologies
• Extensive customer and senior stakeholder management
• Adaptable and flexible; able to respond to changing or conflicting priorities adeptly

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

• Significant experience of leading initiation, shaping and delivery of complex programme’s in a matrix structure.
• Experience of applying appropriate Programme Management methodologies
• Extensive customer and senior stakeholder management

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £72,869, FCDO Services contributes £21,110 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
• A leave allowance starting at 25 days per annum
• 9 days per annum public and privilege days

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, Experience and Technical skills.

To apply for this role, you will be asked to provide your CV, a personal statement, and provide answers to some job specific/technical skills.

Your CV and personal statement will not form part of the assessment they will provide an insight into your work history and experience.

Your CV should include:

• no personal identifying details

• career history with key responsibilities

• achievements

• qualifications

Your personal statement should outline your interest in the role.

Candidates will only be sifted on answers provided to the technical/ job specific questions which are outlined in the application form.

Those that are successful will be invited to a face to face interview.

At the interview you will present a short presentation and be asked a blend of questions on technical/job specific skills and behaviours.

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

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

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.

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 : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk
• Email : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : FCDOServices.Recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact FCDOServices.Recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk in the first instance.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from FCDO Services, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. For more information, please visit their website.

Attachments

Candidate pack - Head of Programme Delivery Opens in new window (pdf, 1837kB)