UK Ministry of Defence
Submarine Delivery Agency - Project Support Officer
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HMNB Devonport PL2 2BG
Job Summary
The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence. At least one of four nuclear-armed submarines, supported by smaller attack submarines, is on patrol at all times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
At the SDA, we strive to Support, Deliver and Aspire and put our values at the heart of our recruitment process. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, our team will find a community to belong to. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
The primary delivery location for this position is HMNB Devonport.
Please note, due to the level of security, this role is reserved for UK nationals only.
Hybrid and flexible working can be considered for this post but will need regular workplace attendance due to security constraints. Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application. Candidates will be required to attend office at least 3 days per week.
Job Description
The successful candidate will be; providing critical project support and analysis for low complexity and low-risk projects while assisting in the development and assurance of project controls data and artefacts, developing the Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB) for effective performance analysis, collaborating with project managers and commercial teams to ensure timely and quality data from contractors and suppliers, producing accurate financial forecasts for operating expenditure (OPEX) and equipment programme spend and coordinating project risks (threats and opportunities) and alerting senior stakeholders to necessary recovery actions. Additionally, the successful candidate is expected to support resource planning aligned with project schedules and ensuring resource demand is based on robust estimates and communicate project controls data to key stakeholders in a clear and understandable manner.
As the post holder will have access to very sensitive information, there are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries and we will undertake additional security checks as part of the recruitment process. Applications from candidates with close connections to certain countries may take considerably longer to process, or in some cases result in a withdrawal of an offer of employment. Further details will be provided at the conditional offer stage.
If you need to contact Defence Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by the SDA Recruitment Team. If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team via the Help link.
Person specification
Your Responsibilities Will Include, But Are Not Limited To:
- To act as the key contact for project controls and to integrate and co-ordinate all project controls activities within the project/programme.
- To ensure the quality and accuracy of all project controls data and artefacts is in-line with SDA policy, as well as ensure that these are utilised by the project team.
- Work with the Project Manager and commercial teams to ensure that contractor and supplier data is received in a timely manner, in an appropriate format and to the required
- Analyse performance of projects against the PMB, and communicate it to the project teams to ensure effective delivery.
- Manage resource planning in line with the project schedule, ensuring resource demand is underpinned by robust Bases of Estimate (BOE) (driven by schedule activities)
- Co-ordinate and Analyse project risks (Threats and Opportunities), alerting senior stakeholders to the need for mitigation and/or escalation.
- Manage project scope and change through robust assumption management and change control mitigation, to ensure that only documented, authorised changes are made.
- Communicate complex project controls data to key stakeholders of the project, programme and SDA Leadership Team, in a clear and audience appropriate manner.
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In order to be successful in this role, we are seeking someone with evidence of the following essential criteria:
- Demonstrated experience in monitoring, analysing, and reporting on complex projects in high-pressure situations, ensuring alignment with project objectives and performance metrics.
- Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across functions, including project managers, contractors, and external partners, to ensure seamless integration of project controls practices.
- Experience operating within regulated environment, with an understanding of Project Controls, cost management, scheduling, and risk management.
- Experienced in MS Excel, Power BI & Word knowledge
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Developing Self and Others
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Developing Self and Others
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Stakeholder Management - Supervised Practitioner
- Making evidence-based support decisions - Awareness
Salary and Benefits
Alongside your salary of £38,300, Ministry of Defence contributes £11,095 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
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Discover My Benefits: Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD: https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/
This post does not offer any assistance with Relocation Allowances.
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
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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.
At Sift, you will be assessed on your;
- Personal Statement - This should be a maximum of 1000 words that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable requirements for the role. Candidates will be required to provide job history and qualification details.
Behaviours:
- Developing Self and Others - (CSBC3)
- Delivering at Pace - (CSBC3)
Technical:
- Stakeholder Management - (Supervised Practitioner)
- Making evidence-based support decisions - (Awareness)
At Interview, you will be assessed on;
- Personal Statement/ Experience - The panel will ask questions about your personal statement. Exploring your Past Experiences, Key Achievements or Qualifications.
Behaviours:
- Working together - (CSBC3)
- Communicating and Influencing - (CSBC3)
Technical:
- Stakeholder Management - (Supervised Practitioner)
- Making evidence-based support decisions - (Awareness)
Please refer to the Civil Service Behaviours here and the Technical Skills Framework and Success Profile documents attached.
In the event of a high volume of applications, an initial sift will be based on the lead behaviour which is Delivering at Pace.
Interview will be conducted over Microsoft Teams.
The sift will be completed within 10 working days of the vacancy closing date. Interviews will be held on a date to be confirmed.
Requests to work flexibly and/or part time will be considered, taking into account business needs. Please note the salary will be pro-rata where part time hours are undertaken.
All employees joining Ministry of Defence who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a 6-month probation period (unless otherwise advised) effective from the employment start date.
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.
Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected, and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
Please note the Civil Service Nationality Rules will also need to be met. The Civil Service Nationality Rules operate independently and in addition to the UK Immigration Rules and must be met before an individual can take up employment in the Civil Service. The Civil Service Nationality Rules do not apply to UK, Irish and Commonwealth nationals, or to those who are
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