Animal and Plant Health Agency
Senior Project Support Officer
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Senior Project Support Officer
Senior Project Support Officer
APHACentral Portfolio Management Office & Borders and Trade Programme
About the Role
Are you eager to influence senior decision-making, streamline multi-project delivery, and enhance programme outcomes through leadership and best practice?
APHA is an excellent employer, valuing diversity, inclusivity, and flexible working. We seek 2 Senior Project Support Officers—one permanent role and one 18-month fixed-term/secondment post—to join our Central Portfolio Management Office (CPMO) and Borders and Trade Programme.
You will lead project support teams, ensure consistent project governance, and drive improvement across complex programmes. Your influence in delivery standards, stakeholder management, and process optimisation will strengthen biosecurity, food safety, and organisational transformation.
Key Responsibilities
1. Leadership and Team Management
- Guide and develop Project Support Officers to ensure high-quality service delivery.
- Model professionalism and foster strong team performance in fast-paced, complex environments.
- Coach, mentor, and support teams through performance reviews and capability development.
- Manage upwards by escalating risks, presenting clear options, and ensuring effective decision-making.
2. Governance and Reporting
- Lead governance and reporting across portfolio-wide standards, templates, and processes.
- Apply APHA/Defra/government compliance to ensure consistency.
- Design clear, data-driven reports and dashboards for senior leadership.
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3. Planning and Coordination
- Integrate multi-project delivery planning, managing milestones and dependencies.
- Maintain schedule baselines and support resource prioritisation across the portfolio.
4. Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a key liaison between projects, programmes, and governance boards.
- Build trusted relationships with senior leaders, teams, and partners.
- Resolve dependencies and issues, providing actionable advice on progress and risks.
5. Continuous Improvement
- Champion best practice, sharing knowledge and driving process enhancements.
- Lead goal-setting and lessons learnt to improve PMO capability.
- Promote digital transformation for stronger governance and reporting.
6. Financial and Resource Management
- Monitor resource allocation and CAPEX, aiding workforce planning.
- Align solutions to ensuring delivery confidence.
7. Risk Tools and Impact Mitigation
- Oversee risks, issues, and dependencies, escalating with clear analysis and mitigation options.
Locational Focus
Central Portfolio Management Office
- Assist the Projects and Change Portfolio (acting on Sustainable Futures Strategy, Digital & Operational Services (DOS), and Priority Policy solutions).
- Embed standards and ways of working across teams.
Borders and Trade Programme
- Support UK-EU SPS agreement changes, aiding safe trade and biosecurity transition under the lead of the Senior PMO Lead.
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Requirements
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven success in PMO, governance, reporting, or assurance (project/programme/portfolio).
- Leadership and team management skills, including mentoring and performance reviews.
- Organisational expertise—balancing priorities, problem-solving, and driving process improvements.
- Crystal-clear communication (written and verbal) for cross-level stakeholder engagement.
- At least one government-recognised project management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, MSP, MoP, APM PMQ/PFQ) or willingness to upskill.
Desirable Traits
- Previous experience in public sector, health/biosecurity, or trade regulation contexts.
- Familiarity with APHA/Defra operational frameworks.
Benefits
- Civil Service Minimum (Pension Contribution)
- Baseline annual salary: £42,665, supplemented by £12,360 employer pension contribution.
- Flexible Work Structure
- Access to job-share, part-time, and flexible working options.
- Leave & Wellbeing
- 25 paid days, increasing annually to 30 days off.
- Growth & Support
- Tailored learning packages and professional development opportunities.
- Perks
- Retail, travel, and lifestyle discounts, discount schemes, and staff recognition awards.
How to Apply
Visit Senior Project Support Officer – Civil Service Jobs to apply.
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