About the job

Job summary

• Are you looking for a career where you can make real impact?
• Do you enjoy seeing tasks through to completion?

If so, the Associate Project Manager Level 4 Apprenticeship is for you.

You can make impact launching your career as a project management apprentice in Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) part of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).

Myth – you need to be a scientific or engineering expert to join Dstl! You need an interest in science, technology and innovation but your organisation and soft skills are essential to providing project management support. Our effective delivery relies on project managers to ensure tasks are completed on time, within budget and to quality.

See what our former apprentice Annabel, who has now been promoted to project manager, has to say

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtIiD1Wa1-4

You will join a relatively new organisation, DASA, which finds and funds innovations providing value in defence and security.

You will share our values collaboration, innovation and impact, which are at the heart of everything we do. You will experience all three throughout the delivery of your projects.

Your current situation

You may have never worked in an office, be finishing sixth form, leaving the armed forces, looking for a career change or not enjoying your current studies. No matter what your current situation is, if you are at least 18 years old you can become join us as an Associate Project Manager Apprentice.

What’s next?

Once you have successfully completed your apprenticeship, if you have demonstrated the required behaviours, we will support you in applying for a permanent position at Dstl, or with another apprenticeship.

Job description

In this role you will:

• Maintain project documentation and information adhering to Dstl’s Management System
• Act as the first point of contact for project queries
• Liaise with friendly team members to plan and schedule for project reviews
• Use safe working practices ensuring that you and your colleagues report on any unsafe practices, no matter how big or small. You will follow safety guidelines, respecting and contributing to a strong Dstl safety culture.

A full list of responsibilities can be found in the attached job profile on CS Jobs

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has:

• A genuine interest in a career in project management and working in the science and technology space
• The ability to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively with support
• Good attention to detail
• The ability to work independently and within a team

A full list is available on the attached profile on CS Jobs

You will possess these essential skills:

• Good communication skills, both written and verbal
• Good organisational skills
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and the ability to learn Microsoft Project

Concerned you don’t know enough about Microsoft Excel but willing to learn? Please apply – your growth will be supported

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. You must be at least 18 years old in September 2024 to undertake this apprenticeship.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £22,745, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £6,143 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.

Applications will be reviewed the week commencing 19th February 2024 and interview will take place from 4th March 2024.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

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.