About the job

Job summary

Our priorities

Optimise public R&D investment to support areas of relative UK strength and increase the level of private R&D to make our economy the most innovative in the world.

Promote a diverse research and innovation system that connects discovery to new companies, growth and jobs – including by delivering world-class physical and digital infrastructure (such as gigabit broadband), making the UK the best place to start and grow a technology business and developing and attracting top talent.

Put public services – including the NHS and schools – at the forefront of innovation, championing new ways of working and the development of in-house STEM capability to improve outcomes for people.

Strengthen international collaboration on science and technology in line with the Integrated Review, and ensure our researchers are able to continue to work with leading scientists in Europe and around the world.

Deliver legislative and regulatory reforms to drive competition and promote innovation, including the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill and our pro-innovation approach to regulating AI.

Our Inclusive Environment

We have an inclusive culture which makes the Department a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it helps us be more innovative.

We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.

We welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion and fully support candidates with a disability or long-term condition who require adjustments in our recruitment process.

We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/departmentforsciencetechnologyandinnovation?

You can also follow our LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dsitcareers/  

Please note that DSIT are currently reviewing our terms and conditions and pay arrangements following Machinery of Government changes and as part of the outstanding August 2023 pay award.  Please be aware that there may be changes to the terms and conditions and pay ranges listed in this advert ahead of you starting in post. Any changes would be implemented in early 2024.

Job description

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) was created in February 2023 and will focus on positioning the UK at the forefront of global scientific and technological advancement. It will build on our strong foundations of world-class research, a thriving technology scene and global networks of collaboration to create a golden thread from outstanding basic science to innovations that change lives and sustain economic growth. It will direct record levels of Research and Development, and deliver talent programmes, physical and digital infrastructure and regulation to support our economy, security, public services and wider Government priorities. DSIT brings together the relevant parts of the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the former Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), alongside teams from the Cabinet Office and the Government Office for Science.

This is an exciting time to join DSIT. The Department is establishing policies, resources, and capabilities to fulfil its new role. In response, DSIT’s Central Project Delivery (PD) function is developing a fresh service offer and resourcing teams to respond to current needs in the Department.

Are you looking for your next exciting role within Project Delivery? The Central Project Delivery function is looking to recruit two Project Delivery Capability Support Officers, to support the department to enhance and develop its outstanding project delivery profession.

As the Project Delivery Capability Support Officer, you will be an integral part of the small yet dynamic Capability and Resourcing team within DSIT’s Project Delivery Function. Your primary focus will be on supporting the development and refinement of project delivery practices within the department. Working closely with the team, your responsibilities will include assessing and enhancing workforce capabilities, identifying opportunities for upskilling, and executing strategies to retain and recognize talented individuals. The Capability team operates within the broader Project Delivery Function, providing crucial Business As Usual (BAU) services to manage risks, ensure assurance, and offer project assistance across a diverse portfolio. In this support officer role, you will contribute to the team's objectives by facilitating effective project delivery and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

If you are passionate about project delivery, talent development, and want to be part of a diverse and dynamic team, we invite you to apply and play a key role in shaping the success of our projects and the growth of our profession.

Person specification

Your responsibilities will include actively participating in the development of Project Delivery Learning and Development (L&D) offer, assisting in the implementation of initiatives like project delivery pay enhancement and GOST accreditation. Additionally, you will play a vital role in fostering communities of practice to facilitate knowledge sharing within the team. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the team's success, pioneer innovative initiatives, and engage in continuous learning within a vibrant and collaborative environment.

This role is aligned to the Project Delivery Capability Framework (PDCF) career pathway Project Manager 1 / Resource Manager 1.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Coordination – Facilitating meetings and workshops in support of the profession and the development of capability in the department. Act as secretariat for several PD networks, responsible for scheduling, arranging venues, creating comprehensive agendas, and documenting key actions. Additionally, this will include coordinating training needs within the department.
• Monitoring and reporting – Support the team with managing profession data, capturing this through recruitment approvals, pay enhancement requests and tracking of senior leadership training.
• Data Management – Own and maintain the data sets related to resourcing and capability for DSIT’s PD Profession. This will also include the management of the shared mailbox, responding to queries and service requests from across the department.
• Stakeholder Management – Manage and engage with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, supporting recruitment, L&D and SRO governance. Use project delivery professional data to inform targeted proactive engagement to provide capability support.
• Planning and Scheduling - With direction from SEO produce and maintain relevant material, workflows, and resources for reference.
• Resource Management - Support the recruitment of Project Delivery Professionals and tracking resource moves within the profession. Work collaboratively to identify skills and competencies required and perform analysis of skills gaps for new and existing staff.
• Continuous Improvement - Work with the G7 Capability Lead and the wider team to develop process improvements and deliver efficiencies across the capability service offer and help drive its implementation. This could involve, but not limited to, redesigning guidance, processes or even developing dashboards.

Skills and experience criteria

We would love to hear from you if you have the following skills and experience:

• Experience in supporting the delivery of projects’ objectives and milestones in a project or programme environment, or appropriate skills that have been gained in a non-project environment. Alternatively, experience of working in a professions team or centre of excellence (ideally PPM/PD), whether that’s in recruitment, resourcing, L&D admin, templates and products.
• Experience managing with databases and data sets for analysis and reporting purposes.
• Experience and ability to support training, new users and respond to queries promptly.
• Ability to devise, update and maintain reference resources for access by users.
• Ability to promote diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity, respecting differences. 
• Strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to develop effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to work well independently, with multiple tasks, in a fast-changing and ambiguous environment, with a keen attention to detail. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence, challenge effectively and collaborate across boundaries.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint), with the ability to quickly learn new tools and software. 

 A minimum recognised project delivery qualification such as or an equivalent to at least one of the following is desirable: 

• PRINCE2 Foundation / Practitioner
• Agile Project Management Foundation 
• APM Project Management Qualification
• Managing Successful Programmes Foundation / Practitioner      

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,120, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £8,402 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, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and a technical skills example.

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

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 750 words) to demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience criteria for the role.

We recommend candidates refer to the STAR technique in the personal statement.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/a-brief-guide-to-competencies

Applications will be sifted on CV, personal statement, and any technical skills required.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the personal statement.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The interview will consist of behaviour, technical and strength-based questions.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: TBC

Interview dates: TBC

Interview Location: MS Teams.

Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Further Information

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.

We fully support adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section.

We do not have an exhaustive list of adjustments that we support but just some examples include additional time to complete your application form, behaviour questions up to 72 hours prior to interview and having extra time at interview.

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

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

A location-based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Any move to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

DSIT does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home). 

DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign.

DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances 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-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk 

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. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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.