Animal and Plant Health Agency
Senior Project Support Officer
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Senior Project Support Officer (2 Roles) – APHA
Do you have the leadership skills to guide project support teams? Are you motivated by influencing senior decision-making, coordinating multi-project delivery, and embedding best practice to strengthen programme outcomes?
If so, we’d love to hear from you at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
About APHA
We are a great place to work where our people are valued, heard, and empowered to be their authentic selves. We embrace diversity and difference, recognising these foster innovation and better decision-making.
APHA is committed to inclusive employment and offers equitable opportunities for all. We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups and promise flexible working arrangements, including:
- Full-time, part-time, job share and flexible arrangements
- 18-month fixed-term appointments
The Opportunity
The Central Portfolio Management Office (CPMO) and Borders and Trade Programme are seeking two Senior Project Support Officers with leadership, strategic leadership, and portfolio coordination experience:
| Location | Employment Type |
|---|---|
| Central Portfolio Office (1) | Permanent |
| Borders and Trade Programme | 18-month Fixed Term |
Ideal Candidate
You’ll guide project governances, reporting cycles, and assurance frameworks, ensuring consistent, high-quality delivery across complex portfolios. In this line management role, you’ll:
- Develop Project Support Officers (PSOs) and PMO capacity
- Drive adherence to delivery standards, methods, and best practices
- Manage upward influencing—escalating risks, presenting options, and securing strategic decision-making
- Embed change, process improvements, and continuous growth in programme management
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Key Duties
Central Portfolio Management Office (1 x Permanent)
- Provide line-management support to PSOs across Priority Policy (PP), Digital & Operational Services (DOS), and Delivering Sustainable Futures (DSF) programmes
- Develop and standardise project governance, reporting, and assurance practices
- Contribute to CPMO’s portfolio-wide standards and best-practice application
Borders and Trade Programme (1 x 18-month Fixed Term/Appointment)
- Support shifts arising from a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement
- Ensure seamless systems, process, and biosecurity changes under trade negotiations
- Enable safe movement of animals/plants while maintaining high food-safety standards
Leadership & Executive Reporting
- Lead governance and reporting to align with APHA, Defra and government standards
- Oversee project/tactical planning, managing dependencies, milestones, and capacity
- Advise senior leaders on risk, strategy, and decision-making policy support
- Manage stakeholders (programmes, governance boards, partners) for transparent progress updates
Core Responsibilities
1. Governance and Reporting
- Define and maintain governance frameworks, templates, and reporting standards across programmes.
- Produce timely, accurate reports/report dashboards for strategic decision-making.
2. Project Coordination & Planning
- Coordinate multi-project delivery planning, balancing dependencies and constraints.
- Update scheduled baselines and maintain delivery confidence.
3. Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as the key liaison between projects, programmes, and governance boards.
- Resolve issues, align stakeholders on risks/dependencies, and provide tailored guidance.
4. Continuous Improvement
- Champion lean processes, knowledge sharing, and PMO best practices.
- Foster lessons-learned & capability development through learning and development initiatives.
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5. Financial & Resource Management
- Monitor resource allocation, utilisation, and workload capacity.
6. Risk & Issue Management
- Track and escalate consolidated risks/issues/dependencies promptly with impact analysis.
Person Specification
We seek candidates with:
- Proven PMO/project/programme leadership experience, ideally with assurance/governance support roles.
- Management track record in team development, performance support, and objective-setting.
- Strong organisational skills, Problem-solving ability, judgement, and process/agenda optimisation.
- Exemplary communication skills (written/verbal), with expertise in influencing stakeholders, presenting options, and providing professional advice.
- Technical competence in PMO techniques, project management frameworks (PRINCE2, MoP, MSP), and alignment with government standards.
Qualifications (Required)
One of the following:
- APM PMQ, Principles of Portfolio Management (MoP), PRINCE2 Project Management Foundation/Professional
- Relevant prior experience with willingness to obtain approved qualifications
Why Join APHA?
Beyond the £42,665 salary, APHA offers:
- 14% Civil Service Pension Contribution
- 25–30 days paid annual leave, plus additional PTO accrue per year
- Extensive professional development/training opportunities
- Lifestyle, travel, and retail discounts
- Flexible working and work flexibility options
- Salary sacrifice benefits and employee discounts
- Performance-based recognition, bonuses, and welfare support
Apply Now
For full details and to apply, visit the UK Civil Service Job Hierarchy.
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