Project Assurance Officer

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.

Job description

Our Digital and Data technology team are at the forefront of digital innovation. They provide the best in-class solutions for our clients, 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.

Providing innovation to government partners.

Delivering best-in-class solutions.

Working at the cutting-edge of technology

It all matters.

Work on projects that impact millions

As a Project Assurance Officer, you will be working on strengthening confidence across the delivery portfolio at every step of the way. Leading a regular cadence of assurance activity at the project level, you will carry out health checks and work closely with project managers to ensure risks, progress and delivery confidence are understood. In addition, monitoring performance against milestones, scope and budget while providing clear insight into project health and ensuring reporting is accurate and timely will also be your responsibility.

But that’s not all. Alongside assurance delivery, you’ll help embed strong governance and continuous improvement across the portfolio. You’ll also provide assurance that projects are operating in line with agreed methodologies and compliance expectations, including financial controls, and support the escalation of risks where needed. Through clear reporting, stakeholder engagement and practical advice, you’ll help improve governance maturity, strengthen compliance and support senior leaders in shaping better, more consistent delivery standards.

Build confidence through trusted project assurance

To thrive in this role, you will bring your solid understanding of programme and project delivery, including governance, controls and how project financials are managed. Comfortable working with data and detail, you’re confident using tools such as Excel to track progress, identify issues and support clear reporting. You’re organised, reliable and able to work independently, while also contributing positively as part of a wider team.

A self-starter, you take ownership of your work and communicate clearly with others. Ideally, you’ll bring experience from a government or similarly complex environment and may hold, or be working towards, a recognised project qualification such as PRINCE2 or APM. Experience analysing data, carrying out quality reviews or using tools like MS Project or Power BI would put you ahead, along with a natural curiosity and a desire to keep improving how delivery is governed and assured.

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.

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 Security Check (SC) clearance. 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

We are looking for people with:

• Knowledge of programme and project processes
• An understanding of managing project financials, project governance and project control measures
• IT literate with strong Microsoft Office Suite skills especially MS Excel
• Able to work effectively as part of a team
• Motivated self-starter who can work without close supervision

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• IT literate with strong Microsoft Office Suite skills especially MS Excel
• Knowledge of programme and project processes
• An understanding of managing project financials, project governance and project control measures
• Motivated self-starter who can work without close supervision

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

• IT literate with strong Microsoft Office Suite skills especially MS Excel
• Knowledge of programme and project processes
• An understanding of managing project financials, project governance and project control measures

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,898, FCDO Services contributes £9,240 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.
• 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
• 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 MS Teams or Face to face interview.

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

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 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.

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 : FCDO Services Recruitment Team
• Email : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Attachments

Candidate pack Project Assurance Officer Opens in new window (pdf, 1832kB)