25362 - Senior Head of PMO
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) priorities include improving public safety and reducing reoffending by reforming prisons, probation and youth justice, and building a justice system which makes access to justice swifter and more certain for all citizens whatever their background. Project professionals in the MoJ help to improve the government’s ability to protect the public and reduce reoffending, and to provide a more effective, transparent and responsive criminal justice system for victims and the public. PMO’s in the MoJ are central to the delivery of the Secretary of State’s priorities.
These opportunities provide a unique chance to be at the forefront of leading and implementing significant projects across the MoJ. As part of this role, you will take up post within the MoJ Project Delivery Function (PDF). The PDF, which sits within the Chief Finance Officer’s Group, is responsible for the functional leadership of the Project Delivery Profession within the MoJ. Successful candidates will join the PDF and be placed on Projects across the MoJ. The unique structure of the PDF enables our members to move between different projects providing the opportunity to contribute to a number of projects across the MoJ and progress your career.
You will lead the implementation and management of portfolio, programme and project governance frameworks and development of appropriate reporting tools which deliver value. To promote the Change Directorates and Centre of Excellence approach to project/programme management including resource planning and management, preparing resource plans and the monitoring and reporting of project/programme outcomes. Establish project/programme reporting with a focus on value added advise and early identification and resolution of risk and issues, whilst ensuring full benefit realisation. You will coach and mentor project sponsors and managers. You will have effective leadership, interpersonal and communication skills. Successful candidates are expected to commit to the role for a minimum of 18 months.
MoJ expects its leaders to show openness, honesty and commitment, and, of course, to deliver results.
Key responsibilities of the role
Delivery & Leadership – Lead the PMO to support the project in the delivery of Business Case benefits and outcomes. Champion the use of best practice project management standards and processes.
Business Case – Support the Project Manager in the development of Business Case with input from specialists as necessary.
Budget – Develop and agree budgets for projects and/or programmes and forecast actual costs against them.
Resources – Manage the PMO team and support the Project Manager in the identification, recruitment, development, deployment and reassignment of resources throughout the project lifecycle.
Stakeholder Management – Advise the project team on appropriate tools and techniques for managing stakeholder relationships. Provide assurance to the project manager on the effectiveness of stakeholder management arrangements.
Risks & Issues – Establish the project processes and standards for managing risks and issues. Provide assurance to the project manager on the effectiveness of Risk and Issue management arrangements.
Governance & Assurance – Ensure appropriate governance is in place and arrange external reviews e.g. Gateway Reviews at appropriate points in the project lifecycle. Monitor the effectiveness of controls and ensure that recommendations from external reviews are acted upon.
Change Management – Establish and implement protocols to change the scope of projects and/or programmes and update configuration documents as required.
Project Performance & Controls – Establish and operate project controls on behalf of the project manager, reporting on project progress and status to appropriate bodies. Identify common capabilities and opportunities for linking up, re-using and sharing of methods and resources between projects and programmes. Ensure learning from experience is disseminated across the organisation.
Guidance & Support – Identify, develop and share best practice project management processes, tools and templates and benchmarks against industry standard. Provides direction and guidance to the project team.
Selection and Recruitment Process
Where high volumes of applications are received the initial sift will be completed against the lead competency. If your application progresses to a full sift, all competencies will then be considered. Feedback is not available for those not invited to interview.
Merit List of successful candidates based on location will be retained after this campaign for 12 months.
Please note there will be office relocations in both Leeds (5 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4AP) and London (10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4PU) from August.
Application Process
You will be required to complete an application form providing evidence of how you meet the Project Delivery Competencies as per the Project Delivery Capability Framework (PDCF) and provide a current CV.
Details on the PDCF can be found on the Infrastructure and Projects Authority pages
Successful candidates will then be invited for interview and the interviews will take place in either Leeds or London.
The interview will consist of a 5-minute presentation, the topic of which will be provided when candidates are invited to interview. This is then followed by an interview consisting of Project Delivery technical and strength based questions
This post requires frequent weekly travel to other sites.
Location & Terms of appointment
New entrants to the Civil Service will be expected to join on the minimum of the pay range.
Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department’s pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules.
These positions will be based out of either;
- Leeds - 5 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4AP.
- London - 102 Petty France, London, SW1H 9AJ or 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, E14 4PU
Of the 6 roles we are advertising we are looking to appoint 4 in London and 2 in Leeds.
Competencies - Project Delivery Profession – Technical Competencies
Planning
Planning is the ability to define the fundamental components of a project in terms of its scope, deliverables, time scales, resource requirements and budget. It also includes the production of broader plans incorporating risk and quality to provide a consolidated overview of a project.
Level required
P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.
- You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects.
- You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence.
- You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.
Scheduling
The ability to develop, produce and maintain schedules for activities that take account of dependencies, resource requirements and constraints in order to enable the efficient realisation of benefits.
Level required
W) Working knowledge and practical experience
- You have a good understanding of this competence
- You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.
Resource management
Resource Management is the ability to identify, profile and secure the resources required to deliver a project.
Level required
(W) Working knowledge and practical experience
- You have a good understanding of this competence
- You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.
Budgeting and cost management
Budgeting and Cost Management is the ability to estimate costs, produce a budget and control forecasts and actual spend against budget.
Level required
(W) Working knowledge and practical experience
- You have a good understanding of this competence
- You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.
Risk & issue management
Risk & Issue Management is the ability to systematically identify and monitor risks & issues, planning how to mitigate / respond to those risks and issues and implementing the responses.
Level required
(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.
- You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects.
- You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence.
- You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.
Quality Management
Quality management is the ability to plan, develop, maintain and apply quality management processes to ensure the adherence to those standards throughout the project delivery lifecycle.
Level required
(W) Working knowledge and practical experience
- You have a good understanding of this competence
- You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.
Business change and implementation
Business Change & Implementation is the ability to integrate the project outputs into ‘business as usual’ (BAU) ensuring that activities are planned and completed to enable the business to implement the change and realise the benefits.
Level required
(W) Working knowledge and practical experience
- You have a good understanding of this competence
- You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.
Governance
Governance is the ability to clearly define roles, responsibilities and accountabilities and establish controls and approval routes appropriate to each stage of the project to monitor project progress and compliance.
(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.
Level required
- You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects.
- You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence.
- You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.
Frameworks & methodologies
Is the ability to identify and amend appropriate project frameworks and methodologies to enable a consistent and efficient approach to delivery at all stages of the project lifecycle.
Level required
(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.
- You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects.
- You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence.
- You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.
Stakeholder engagement
Stakeholder Engagement is the ability to systematically identify, analyse and communicate with stakeholders, using appropriate channels, to ensure all those impacted by the change are engaged, taking account of their levels of influence and particular interests.
Level required
(W) Working knowledge and practical experience
- You have a good understanding of this competence
- You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.
Assurance
Assurance is the ability to establish, plan and manage reviews at appropriate points during all stages of the project life cycle to provide evaluations of progress against time, cost, quality, compliance and ongoing viability.
Level required
(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.
- You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects.
- You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence.
- You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.
Change control
Change Control is the ability to establish protocols to manage and document all requests that alter the scope of a project. This includes, the capture, evaluation and approval or rejection of any requests.
Level required
(W) Working knowledge and practical experience
- You have a good understanding of this competence
- You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.
Business case development
Business Case Development is the ability to prepare, develop, commission and update business cases to justify the initiation and continuation of projects in terms of benefits, value for money and risk.
Level required
(W) Working knowledge and practical experience
- You have a good understanding of this competence
- You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects
Asset allocation
The ability to recommend how financial and other resources should be allocated between projects in order to optimise the organisations return on investment (ROI). This includes the determination of which projects should be initiated continued or closed to best support the organisations strategic objectives.
Level required
(A) Basic knowledge and limited or no experience
- You understand how it can be applied.
- You can describe the benefits and importance.
- You may have applied it in a low complexity project under supervision or assisted others in delivering it.
Benefits management
Benefits Management is the ability to identify, quantify, map and track project benefits to justify investment in the project, and to provide assurance that the benefits identified can be realised.
Level required
(W) Working knowledge and practical experience
- You have a good understanding of this competence
- You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects
Knowledge management
Knowledge Management is the ability identify, share and promote best practices and lessons learned to create a culture of learning and good practice that supports continuous improvement to optimise project delivery.
Level required
(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.
- You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects.
- You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence.
- You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.
Project Delivery Profession – Behavioural/Leadership Competencies
Visible leadership
The ability to engage, motivate and coach others. To act as a role model and inspire and empower others.
Level required
(W) Working knowledge and practical experience
- You have a good understanding of this competence
- You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects
Credible action
The ability to promote the wider public good in all actions and to act in a morally, legally and socially appropriate manner at all times. Challenges unacceptable behaviour.
Level required
(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.
- You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects.
- You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence.
- You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.
Working with ambiguity
The ability to work in an environment of uncertainty and continual change. Able to feel comfortable making decisions and setting direction without having the full picture and re-focus as details emerge. Can apply knowledge and techniques to reduce ambiguity.
Level required
(W) Working knowledge and practical experience
- You have a good understanding of this competence
- You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects
Collaboration
The ability to establish and develop productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, bringing people together to benefit the project.
Level required
(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.
- You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects.
- You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence.
- You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.
Influencing
The ability to influence, change and impact decisions with both internal and external stakeholders.
Level required
(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.
- You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects.
- You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence.
- You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.
Conflict resolution
The ability to recognize, anticipate and effectively deal with existing or potential conflicts at an individual, team or strategic level.
Level required
(W) Working knowledge and practical experience
- You have a good understanding of this competence
- You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects
Inspiring others
The ability to create and present a compelling vision and set clear direction, that motivates others to work towards a common goal.
Level required
(W) Working knowledge and practical experience
- You have a good understanding of this competence
- You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects
Resilience
The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and adverse situations whilst remaining calm, reassuring others and maintaining performance.
Level required
(W) Working knowledge and practical experience
- You have a good understanding of this competence
- You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects
Innovation
The ability to think of, research and apply new ideas and ways of doing things. Encourages and supports innovations from others, is willing to experiment and follow ideas through to implementation.
Level required
(W) Working knowledge and practical experience
- You have a good understanding of this competence
- You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects
Culture change
The ability to plan, lead and effect positive cultural change, securing commitment and buy-in and promoting a positive long term vision. Recognizes when broader culture change is necessary to deliver a project.
Level required
(W) Working knowledge and practical experience
- You have a good understanding of this competence
- You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects
Working Arrangements & Further Information
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Generous allowances for paid holiday starting at 25 days per year, and rising as your service increases. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Support
- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as salary sacrifice arrangements for childcare vouchers, and voluntary benefits such as retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.
There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
23/09/2019, 23:55 hours.
To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.
For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).
If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:
- You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
- You were studying abroad
- You were living overseas with parents
In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.
Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.
We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.
Application form stage assessments
Interview stage assessments
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
· 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) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
This Vacancy is closed to applications.