57961 - Third Sector Engagement and Grants Programme Manager

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

We are looking for two dynamic individuals to join the Third Sector and Grants Programme Team on a loan basis. These are interesting and varied roles working with stakeholders from across HMPPS, MoJ and the wider Government, as well as with Third Sector partners. One role is available as permanent, whilst the second is offered for 12 months initially, with the possibility of extension.

The vacancies are available due to promotion of the current post-holders.

The Third Sector Engagement and Grants Programme Team is based in HQ but covers the whole of England and Wales. It is part of the new Reducing Reoffending, Partnerships, and Accommodation Directorate.

The team is responsible for the Agency’s strategic engagement with the Third Sector and philanthropic funders of the Sector’s work, as well as the management of HMPPS’ grants governance.  We manage strategic relationships with the Third Sector across prisons, youth custody and probation, leading, engaging with, and supporting a variety of Third Sector related initiatives. 

Government policy increasingly places the Third Sector at the centre of interventions to reduce reoffending and work with offenders to turn their lives around. The scope and complexity of our team’s work has evolved significantly in recent years and continues to do so.

The team is the Single Point of Contact for grant-giving in HMPPS and represents the Agency on all things grants-related within the MoJ family and when working with the Cabinet Office Grants Centre of Excellence. The team works closely with the MoJ Grants Centre of Expertise, and oversees and reports on governance arrangements for HMPPS grants.

Working collaboratively with subject matter experts from across the Agency, the team supports colleagues in providing rehabilitation and care opportunities through the award and management of grants to organisations working in a range of specialisms including: education; the arts; and health and wellbeing.

This is an exciting time to join the Third Sector and Grants Team. With an increasing focus on grants to fund initiatives which help reduce reoffending, this is an area of high growth. There are likely to be a high volume of grants awarded to support activity within the Unified Probation Service, as well as regionally through the Reducing Offending Innovation Fund.

Whilst experience of managing and/or awarding grants would be advantageous, it is not essential. The successful applicants will be required to complete the Cabinet Office Grants Training Modules.

Similarly, a Project or Programme Management qualification is desirable but not essential.

You will need to be self-motivated, organised and able to manage conflicting priorities effectively and within tight deadlines. An effective influencer with excellent communication skills, you will need to develop productive working relationships with colleagues across HMPPS, MoJ and the Cabinet Office.

If you require further information on the role, or have any questions, please contact Bettina Crossick on 07849 853932.

Overview of the job

The Project Manager has the authority to run the project on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the project board. They are responsible for ensuring that the project produces the required products within the specified tolerances of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits.

Summary

The Project Manager will require professional expertise in the effective use of project methodologies and techniques in managing a variety of projects and the day to day delivery of the project team.

The job holder will be responsible for the project producing a result capable of achieving the benefits defined in the Business Case.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

·         Day to day management of the project

·         Ensures project delivers to quality, time and budget within agreed tolerances

·         Prepare appropriate project documentations in conjunction with any Project Assurance roles, and agree them with Project Boards.

·         Plan, monitor and control the project in order to achieve programme/project objectives

·         Create a mechanism to identify, measure and report risks and mitigation.

·         Ensure that progress is appropriately reported, controlled and maintained

·         Identify the resources and processes necessary to deliver each stage of the project’s lifecycle

·         Responsibility for change control and any configuration management

·         Act as a central point of contact and source of information for stakeholders.  Prepare and report to the Project Board through Highlight Reports or any other relevant documentation

·         Lead and motivate the project management team.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the Job Holder.

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Delivering at Pace

Essential Experience

• Communication  – verbal and written
• Organisational skills
• Planning skills
• Budgeting skills
• Conflict management skills
• Negotiating skills
• Influencing skills
• Leadership skills

·         Business acumen/cultural understanding skills

Technical requirements

·         Have technical knowledge of managing risk and project lifecycles

• Recognised project management qualifications or equivalent experience e.g. PRINCE2, Association for Project Management (APM), Managing Successful Programmes (MSP)
• Competent user of IT incl.  Microsoft Project