About the job

Job summary

Dstl Transformation are seeking Programme Managers to lead and deliver the Dstl-wide strategic change initiatives that contribute to the Strategic Ambition 2023-2028. The Transformation Portfolio is charged with implementing cross-cutting change initiatives that will derive organisational-wide benefits initially across the following key themes:

• Safety Reset
• Becoming ‘One Dstl’
• Dstl Operating Model
• Supply Chain
• Red Tape Challenge

Transformation are currently looking to identify change programme leaders for the Safety Reset and One Dstl programmes.

Transformation is to become an enduring capability in Dstl.  As part of the Transformation team, the PgMs will contribute to this and it is anticipated new activities/programmes or changes will be initiated beyond the currently identified portfolio.

There is the opportunity to contribute to the establishment of the Transformation Portfolio and Office beyond dependency management across themes.

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:

• Business case – Develop and clearance of the business case with project leads and SMEs
• Communications & Stakeholder Management – Identify and manage stakeholder relationships and highlight need for senior level support. Manage internal and external relationships as appropriate.
• Guidance – Provide direction and guidance on development to team and more broadly across departmental profession.
• Resource Management – Secure resources and direct planning scheduling, resourcing and estimating for complex and large scale programmes.
• Risks & Issues – Oversee risk and issue management. Ensure mitigations are in place and resolved through negotiated agreement.

In this role you will have the following accountabilities:

• Monitoring and reporting programme performance, finance, risks and issues in line with Dstl and Transformation requirements (including reporting via SRO into the Programme Board);
• Generating programme evidence in support of the Transformation Assurance and Governance requirements which are aligned to the S&T Enterprise Integrated Assurance plan and the Operation’s Investment Management Approach.

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

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.

Drive and influence a proactive and positive safety culture whereby everyone is empowered to report their concerns, no matter how small, and to stop work where they feel it is unsafe. You will lead by example, implementing safe and secure ways of working ensuring colleagues know that their safety is paramount and comes ahead of everything.

To read the full list of responsibilities please see the full specification attached at the bottom of this page. 

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has:

• A strong desire to lead and deliver Enterprise level business change;
• Existing knowledge of best practice in the delivery of projects and programmes;
• The ability to lead, influence and motivate an extensive team to deliver exploitable programme outcomes;
• The ability to manage and influence stakeholders to ensure programme success;
• The ability to interpret strategic intent to others in a manner that is clear and actionable.

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.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £55,014, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £14,853 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.

Sifting will take place week commencing the 8th January 2024 with interviews to be arranged  from the 29th 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.