Principal Project Manager - Technical Security

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.

Designing engineering solutions. Earthquake-proofing embassies. Managing construction contracts in challenging locations. Just a few examples of the incredible work our Engineering team does. They're the people who plan, design, and deliver innovation across all corners of the globe. Now, you've got the opportunity to join them.

Bringing energy to embassies

Designing systems that protect

Realising the power of your skills

It all matters

Job description

Deliver the technical projects that help to keep the UK safe and secure

When you join us in this vital role, you’ll be accountable for the delivery of Engineering and Operations Technical Security projects, work that will include project compliance, lifecycle cost management and client/stakeholder reporting. We’ll expect you to look after a portfolio of programmes and projects from initiation to handover and acceptance into service and have a strong focus on ensuring that all projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest quality. Inspiring and leading your team as they meet the necessary Health & Safety compliance requirements, you’ll also deliver the agreed gross margin for all the work in your portfolio.

You’ll have a wide range of additional responsibilities – these include approving all project initiation documentation and start gates, reviewing any requests for change, and managing a number of Senior Project Managers, team members and contract personnel. Committed to working with your colleagues on training plans, process improvements, engagement, instruction and reporting, whilst resolving any issues that arise with customers or account managers, ensuring adequate resources are always available, and mitigate any risk to the successful delivery of each project.

Use all your skills, knowledge and expertise as you support our global mission

To be a success in this important post you should hold Prince 2 Practitioner, APMP and an ISEB Certificate in Project Management or their equivalent and have well developed experience of all the relevant Health & Safety standards and procedures, including Construction Design Management 2015. It’s essential that you have good knowledge of applied methodologies relating to the design, development and implementation of multi-disciplinary construction projects, and a track record of leading design and delivery teams through project management processes. In addition, we’ll also look for understanding and experience in the operation, maintenance and deployment of either construction or security/ IT projects.

Your excellent interpersonal and communication skills will allow you to inspire, motivate and lead project teams, and in addition to sound knowledge of financial controls and a track record of working successfully with enterprise financial systems such as Oracle, you’ll have experience of deploying complex projects in a secure environment. A practical understanding of products such as M_o_R®, MSP® and M_o_V® would be desirable, as would experience of using NEC3/4, GC works or Fidic contracts and documentation used in procuring construction projects. Membership of RIBA, RICS, ICE, IStruct E or CIBSE would be a plus, and we’d also prefer you to have some experience of delivering projects in overseas locations.

Discover the support you need to grow your career further

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.

Want to see your future team’s work in action? Step into our Virtual Embassy and select a guide to take you round to see how we deliver for government customers and how you could help. Explore the embassy now at virtual-embassy.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

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) clearance. You can find out more about vetting at 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

We are looking for people with :

• Prince 2 Practitioner, APM PMQ, ISEB Certificate in Project Management or equivalent.
• Experience of relevant Health & Safety standards and procedures including Construction Design Management 2015.
• Specific domain understanding and experience, in one of the following areas, in terms of the operation, maintenance and deployment of: Construction, Security/ IT.
• Applied project management methodologies in the design, development and implementation of multidisciplinary construction projects.
• Deployed large complexity projects in a secure environment.
• Led teams and managed people.
• Proven track record in leading design and delivery teams through project management processes.
• A sound knowledge of financial controls and management with knowledge of all aspects of the project life cycle coupled with a track record of working successfully with Enterprise financial systems (e.g. Oracle) at a project level.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills – both written and verbal.

Qualifications

Prince 2 Practitioner, APM PMQ, ISEB Certificate in Project Management or equivalent. If selecting “or similar equivalent” please provide details of qualification or experience you are using as equivalent

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• Commercial Awareness
• Prince 2 Practitioner, APM PMQ, ISEB Certificate in Project Management or equivalent. If selecting “or similar equivalent” please provide details of qualification or experience you are using as equivalent
• Experience of relevant Health & Safety standards and procedures including Construction Design Management 2015
• Applied project management methodologies in the design, development and implementation of multidisciplinary construction projects
• Led teams and managed people
• A sound knowledge of financial controls and management with knowledge of all aspects of the project life cycle coupled with a track record of working successfully with Enterprise financial systems (e.g. Oracle) at a project level

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

• Prince 2 Practitioner, APM PMQ, ISEB Certificate in Project Management or equivalent. If selecting “or similar equivalent” please provide details of qualification or experience you are using as equivalent
• Experience of relevant Health & Safety standards and procedures including Construction Design Management 2015

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 (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• Annual leave starting at 25 days.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service pension.
• Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park

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 be asked a blend of questions on technical/job specific skills and behaviours.

Candidates will need to complete a presentation along with the interview questions.

Candidates who are judged to be close to meeting the criteria may be considered for other positions in FCDO Services which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.

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.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 : 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 Principal Project Manager Opens in new window (pdf, 1836kB)