About the job

Job summary

We are looking for two talented Project Managers (PM) to join us in the P3 (Project, Programme and Portfolio) Group in Dstl Operations.  Working closely with the Estates and Digital Groups, together we provide the platform (building and digital infrastructure) and capability to enable the delivery of high impact Science and Technology and our project managers are key in delivering projects that make a difference to the whole organisation.

As Project Manager within the P3 Group, you will continue to mature our smart working practices through delivery of projects, this requires an in-depth and detailed knowledge of this concept and of all the implications that this change has on people, workspaces, technology and processes in the company.  You will have excellent people skills and provide leadership, enabling the team to deliver.  The ability to work with a range of stakeholders to ensure continued engagement is important and you should be comfortable working with a variety of people. 

What's It Like to Work Here

On paper Dstl is an organisation like any other: we have managers, finance teams, commercial officers etc. BUT our outputs make a real contribution to the safety and security of the United Kingdom.  A lot of what we do is a mystery until you join but what we can tell you is - work we are involved in is not limited to the here and now but also visions of the future, next generation iterations and even generation after next. The diversity of our staff is as wide as our work and our people always come first. 

Whilst Dstl operates a flexible working approach, this role is not suitable for fully remote working and on site attendance is project dependant.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

We particularly welcome female and ethnic minority applicants and those from the LGBTQI community, as they are under-represented within Dstl at these levels.

Job description

In this role you will have the following responsibilities:

PM 3 (Dstl Level 6)

• Delivery – Create and lead the project to deliver the agreed outcomes within time, cost and quality constraints.
• Project Management – Day to day management and leadership of the project and the project team. Provide effective leadership and management controls. Set project controls. Design the project structure and organisation appropriate to stage. Set appropriate delivery methodologies. Manage effective transition between project phases.
• Business Case – Develop and draft the business case, with input from specialists as necessary.
• Budget – Develop the budget and track delivery within budget.
• Resources – Identify skill requirements; and deploy and develop resources. Manage medium sized team.

Leadership

As a leader in Defence you will help shape, role model and bring to life the ‘One Defence’ mindset that will enable us to deliver our vision and strategic objectives. Your leadership style must be inspiring, confident and empowering. Working at every level of our organisation to break down silos, unite teams and create a culture that is trusting, collaborative, innovative, diverse and inclusive. Enabling us to deliver with pace and agility through the skills, commitment and empowerment of our employees and military colleagues.

These responsibilities are taken from the Project Delivery Complexity Framework (PDCF) and describe the career pathway for the Project Management role. 

Additional Responsibilities

• Role-modelling behaviours and creating a positive working environment which supports diversity and enables staff working on their project to excel;
• Championing the development of project management – including the regular identification and sharing of lessons identified;
• Utilise and develop professional networks to foster best practice and develop and mentor other PD colleagues (PM 3);
• Work with the P3 Improvement team to assist in defining and implementing ‘best practice’ processes by engaging with PD community, professional bodies and other Industry partners (PM 3).

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/project-delivery-capability-framework-for-civil-servants  

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. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Please see full job description at the bottom of the page 

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has:

• A strong desire to deliver outputs for Defence through Science and Technology and our strategic Digital, Estate and business change projects;
• The ability to lead, influence and motivate a broad team to deliver exploitable project outputs;
• The ability to manage and influence stakeholders to ensure project success.

  Role Dimensions

• Leadership and tasking of project team;
• Assurance of project delivery to time, cost and quality;
• Budget management – as specified in the project mandate;

No line management is expected within this role, however matrix management of project(s) resources will be required

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,667, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £12,060 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.

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.   

Sifting will take place week commencing the 12th February 2024 with interviews to be arranged from the 26th February, interviews will be held at Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JQ

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.