Project Control 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

Whether we're deploying Wi-Fi globally to government buildings, delivering security infrastructure to the world's most isolated areas or undertaking seismic strengthening on historical embassies, every project needs a plan. That's where our Project Management team shines. They deliver projects end-to-end, considering every single detail to deliver quality on time and on budget. And now, you've got the opportunity to join them.

Drafting big plans for bigger projects.

Delivering results as a team

Turning designs into reality

It all matters.

Help to keep our vital security projects running smoothly

Our Project and Programme Managers work on a wide range of projects that are vital to the safety and security of our country. When you join us in the important role of Project Control Officer you’ll support them in the delivery of their plans and objectives. Ensuring projects are set up accurately, you’ll use robust version controls as you take responsibility for file management, organise and minute key meetings, and provide high quality secretariat support. Committed to keeping accurate records of actions and issues relating to the delivery of each project, you’ll also help to monitor the relevant spend, contribute to the compilation of budgets, and ensure invoicing and re-profiling are kept up to date.

You’ll have a number of other important responsibilities – these include assisting with the maintenance of project controls, producing accurate and timely reports, and supporting the production of risk and issue logs. We’ll also expect you to raise requisitions, work on purchase orders, exchange information with your colleagues in relation to billing and cost management, and ensure closure activities have been completed in accordance with commercial process requirements.

Develop your career as you work to defend the UK’s global interests

This role will provide you with the opportunity to develop your career with one of the UK’s most important security organisations. You’ll use your experience of managing project financials and processes as you work alongside some of our key stakeholders and senior managers. A highly motivated self-starter with the confidence to work without close supervision, you’ll also possess excellent numerical, analytical and organisational skills, and be capable of prioritising and scheduling your workload.

PRINCE 2 or an equivalent qualification would be desirable, as would experience of working in a government department or with an organisation of similar size and complexity to ours. You’ll be at an advantage if you have practical knowledge of using MS Project and requisitioning via an ORACLE system, and any experience of analysing data and providing recommendations for the best course of action would be a plus. You’ll be resolving queries and providing information to our customers, service providers and suppliers, so you should also have excellent communication and decision making skills, and be capable of developing positive relationships with everyone you work with.

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, good 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 Security Check (SC) 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:

• Experience of managing projects financials and processes
• Numerical and analytical skills
• Knowledge of programme and project processes
• Motivated self-starter who can work without close supervision
• Excellent communication & organisational skills
• Experience of working with and influencing key stakeholders and senior management

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• Experience of managing projects financials and processes
• Knowledge of programme and project processes
• Numerical and analytical skills

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 questions.

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
• skills and experience
• achievements
• qualifications

Your personal statement should outline your interest in the role.

Candidates will only be sifted on answers provided to the 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 to complete a Business scenario question and then blend of questions on technical 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

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 Project Control Officer Opens in new window (pdf, 1834kB)