About the job

Job summary

About the Project Delivery Team

The Project Delivery Team role is to provide excellent measurable project delivery services that enable efficient and effective EUIT business delivery and prioritisation. We do this through a demand-led model based on priority and resource. We provide 3 tiers of service:

Tier 1 is a centralised PPM unit (Project Management Office - PMO) that provides a baseline service of PPM performance and risk reporting, PPM staff management, and PPM standards setting and assurance for EUIT as a whole

Tier 2 is a menu of project support services that can be requested by Deputy Director teams to help deliver their objectives

Tier 3 Is the management or support of cross-directorate End to End projects.

This role can potentially be involved in any or all of the 3 tiers of service.

Job description

Job description

We are looking for people who have supported or managed projects. You should have excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate well to all grade levels

At ease with working in a fast-paced environment that has experienced much change over the last few years.

You should be adept at working effectively across teams, delivering and securing measurable progress to project timelines

Responsibilities

To work as part of the Project Delivery Team and engage stakeholders across EUIT to promote best project practices and tools through team meetings and project management taster sessions/masterclasses over the year

Support EUIT teams in delivering their work using and providing guidance on project delivery methods.

Proactively identify and monitor delivery risks, issues, mitigating actions and escalate as appropriate to enable the achievement of goals.

Identify and manage stakeholder relationships.

Provide support, guidance and coaching for EO Project Support Officers.

Show commitment to personal development and development of others.

Person specification

Experience: Essential 

Experience of applying project methodology to deliver work such as planning, scheduling, risk and issue management.

Experience of monitoring and reporting on project goals, risks & issues, milestones and identifying potential problems or opportunities

Experience of working collaboratively with multiple partners for project-related delivery.

Experience of working across teams to deliver performance engaging and influencing others particularly senior stakeholders.

Skills & Capabilities

Strong interpersonal skills to develop effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

Ability to work well independently, with multiple tasks, with a keen attention to detail.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

The ability to effectively influence, challenge and collaborate across boundaries. 

Capable user of Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Excel, Word and PowerPoint) and the ability to learn new tools and software fast.

Qualifications or equivalent experience:

Essential

A minimum recognised project delivery qualification

(or equivalent experience and a willingness to work towards a project qualification)

such as:

PRINCE2 Foundation

Agile Project Management Foundation

APM Project Management Foundation

Managing Successful Programmes Foundation

The Defra group is dedicated to having a diverse workforce which represents people in our communities and an inclusive culture where everyone feels they can be their authentic self at work, belong in the organisation and can speak up to challenge. We want everyone to be able to contribute to the success of our organisation, regardless of your background. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,136, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £8,676 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.

Application Process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV which will ask for your Job History, Qualifications as well as details of any relevant skills and experience and Behaviour statements.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviours, Delivering at Pace and Communicating and Influencing. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

We will hold all interviews remotely via telephone or video. Interviews are provisionally scheduled to take place week beginning 08 January 2024 onwards..

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours listed above.

A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.

Location

Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Candidates applying for these roles will be based at one of the Defra hubs as advertised.  

For information, our core Defra hub locations are:

• York – the Kings Pool
• Newcastle – Lancaster House
• Bristol – Horizon House (Please note that space at this office is limited and it may not be possible for all Policy roles to be recruited to this location)
• London – 2 Marsham Street

Internal (core Defra) employees can apply for this role and choose to remain in their current location or to be based in one of the advertised locations.

All other applicants will be based in one of the advertised locations. Our current office attendance approach requires 60% attendance in Defra group workplaces or off site meetings with partners and customers. This balance provides thriving workplaces to connect with colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs balanced with personal flexibility and choice. 

Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Merit Lists

Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.

Salary

Existing Civil Servants moving on level transfer will retain their current salary or move onto the pay range minimum, whichever is the higher. Staff moving on promotion will have their pay increased by 10% or move onto the pay range minimum, whichever is the higher. As a general rule allowances and supplements will not be recognised.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

- Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Criminal Record Check

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check maybe carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Internal Fraud Database Check

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

 

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

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 counter-terrorist 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

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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.