About the job

Job summary

The role of the Project Support Officer (PSO) covers a diverse range of activities to support the delivery of the project’s objectives.

The PSO enables the smooth running of the project by supporting the Project Manager (PM) through the operation of project management processes, and the co-ordination of business management actions and activities on their behalf.

They may also manage some activities within a project at the direction of the PM.

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 depending upon your experience and the complexity of project(s) you are supporting:
• Planning and Scheduling – Working with your PM to assist, implement or ensure effective planning and scheduling is in place.
• Monitoring and reporting – Assist, establish or manage project controls and reports.
• Administration – Organising meetings, ensuring organisational tasks are carried out and that the project is compliant with Dstl’s processes.
• Resources – Supporting the resourcing of the wider project team, procuring resources within delegated limits, providing the project manager with workforce and resource information.
• Stakeholder – Assist with, or manage and engage with stakeholders, maintaining the stakeholder logs, managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders, at times acting as a single point of contact, drafting and or signing off correspondence.
• Financial control – Assist, monitor or manage project spend and contribute to the compilation of budgets. Maintain an accurate asset register for the project.
• Risks and Issues – Assist through to managing specific risks and maintain risk and issue logs, escalating as appropriate.
• Role-modelling behaviours creating a positive working environment.
• Supporting the development of professional Project Management – including the regular identification and sharing of lessons identified.

The above responsibilities are a summary of the PSO role requirements that are included in the PDCF. 

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has:

•    For PSO 1: An interest and aptitude to support project management and can follow best practice;
•    For PSO 2 experience of supporting project management; 
•    Excellent organisation and communications skills;
•    The ability to work independently or with minimal direction when required;
•    A desire to provide quality and actionable information to the PM.

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.

If you are a current Dstl employee, you are encouraged to inform your line manager of your application as they can support you through the process and should you be successful it will help in negotiating a release date.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £22,754, 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.

Selection process details – use the template below

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 8th January 2024 with interviews to be arranged from 22nd January 2024.

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.