DIO Assistant Project Manager

Join the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and have a future that matters: Be proud; Be challenged; Be unique.

Job Summary

Major Programme & Project Delivery (MPP) is accountable and responsible for the delivery of infrastructure capital projects (excluding Minor New Works) to support the Front Line Commands (FLCs) in the UK and overseas. MPP provides infrastructure project delivery and expert input to the early development of programmes and projects across the FLCs. MPP has adopted the principles of Portfolio, Programme and Project Management (P3M) and champions them across DIO. MPP also directs and advises DE&S on all infrastructure aspects of hybrid projects, including nuclear.

As the MOD’s infrastructure expert, DIO has a significant role to provide defence-wide advice, guidance and delivery of strategic estates management, strategic asset management, disposals and acquisitions, and major programme and project delivery as well as the management and leadership of the supply chain.

The continuous at sea deterrent is strategically critical output for UK Defence and the infrastructure that supports the current capability, and wider submarine operations, in preparation for future capability requires significant investment.

DIO Nuclear Infrastructure Directorate provides a mission aligned infrastructure service to the CASD, providing major capital programme delivery, estates and infrastructure services to our Front-Line Commands and Agencies. The directorate is responsible for the delivery of the existing demand, the development of the next demand and the planning of future demands alongside our Royal Navy, Submarine Delivery Agency and Defence Nuclear Organisation sponsors.

The portfolio of work comprises a number of complex estates and infrastructure projects including:

• The Clyde Infrastructure Programme; a £1.8B programme of work of new build facilities and refurbishment to support current and future operations on HMNB Clyde.
• Programme Euston: a complex engineering and construction project to ensure readiness for the Submarine Flotilla’s newest addition, Dreadnought class submarines.

Job Description

Leadership and management

• Provide direction and leadership to the team to deliver DIO outputs within minimal supervision.
• Champion and celebrate role model behaviour and challenge inappropriate behaviour.
• Demonstrate a personal commitment to the DIO Guiding Principles.
• Ensure staff are appropriately trained and developed, that they have a comprehensive understanding of business objectives.
• Develop team members and assist Line Manager in delivering departmental goals.
• Observe the requirements of Line Managers duties with regard to maintenance of mandatory training.
• Identify and develop capability needs, ensuring robust Personal Development Plans for yourself and your team.
• Promote strong working relationships both within the team and with other teams across DIO and wider MOD.
• Manage good and poor performance consistently and fairly, integrating Diversity and Inclusion principles and giving regular feedback.

Leading Programme activities and support project development

• Responsible for overall management, co-ordination and direction of internal and external resources to achieve the Delivery Plan for construction projects in the defined Area of authority.
• Contribute to the evolution of requirements and development of the programme with SME advice.
• Manage interfaces across the programme identifying risk and resolving conflicts and issues.
• Ensure compliance with processes and the integrity of programme and project data utilising the technology solution.
• Report against a robust delivery performance management regime instigating corrective actions.
• Ensure all appropriate governance and management controls are in place and adhered to including Health and Safety and Financial and Managerial Delegations.
• Responsible for carrying out appropriate Peer and other Project Reviews to ensure robust levels of scrutiny, assurance and maturity.

Stakeholder management

• Responsible for development of stakeholder management and analysis activities.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining engagement with major function/team stakeholders relevant to the area of business in support of DIO delivery.
• Ensure stakeholders, especially customers, are kept informed and willing to support delivery activity as required.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with DIO Corporate approach and messaging.

Direct Delivery in collaboration with Users and Industry - Responsible for Project Management

• Responsible for effective contact/supplier management, stakeholder and end User engagement in the delivery of construction projects to assure that output delivered meets the defined requirement within funding and time parameters and in pursuit of Value for Money.
• Engage with Commercial staff to identify the optimum procurement strategy for construction professional services and construction works.
• Accountable for delivery of option studies, tender documentation and the construction, utilising internal DIO functions and external resources.
• Proactively manage risks to drive optimal delivery for MOD and promptly manage issues to avoid programme delay or cost escalation.
• Where required take on the Projects Delivery Manager role for individual projects.
• Act as the Demander and wider performance management assessment for the Industry Partners.
• Manage Framework Contract interface at Programme level.
• Manage PSP contract interface at Programme level.

Manage delegated budget and resources

• Responsible for managing budget and keeping within delegated limits.
• Responsible for ensuring appropriate financial management is compliant with MOD policy and DIO internal requirements.
• Ensure submitted business cases are of high quality and have been internally scrutinised.
• Responsible for timely/accurate financial reporting for team/function including forecasts of outturn and input to annual financial planning processes.
• Plan to manage resources to achieve programme for allocated projects on the Defence Infrastructure Plan.
• When necessary, seek to balance resources.

Wider DIO business and improvement

• Support wider Government initiatives including OGC Reviews and Government Construction Strategy.
• Responsible for delivery of communications and engagement activities for the Area in line with DIO Corporate Communications, strategic messaging and wider MOD communications policy and guidance.
• Undertake/support activity in relation to Strategic Asset Management including liaising on proposed activities and advising of possible opportunities.
• Undertake/support activity in relation to continuous improvement.
• Support activities relating to procurement initiatives.
• Responsible for the provision of timely and accurate information to support wider business outputs.

Person specification

Skills

• Strong organisational skills with good time management.
• Experience in supporting teams in project/programme management.
• Understanding of project management.

Technical

• Experience of project, programme or portfolio controls.
• Excellent communication skills; verbal and written.
• Able to follow written and spoken instruction, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Applications such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint and Power BI.
• With awareness of SharePoint, and Microsoft Team usage.
• Ability to prioritise workload, being flexible and adaptable.
• Proactive and able to use own initiative to solve problems and seek opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Ability to learn new skills and processes easily.
• Confidence to take on challenges and seek development.

Behaviours

We will assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Leadership

Technical skills

We will assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Programme performance and controls
• Risk and Issues
• Resource Management

Alongside your salary of £44,590, Ministry of Defence contributes £12,917 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Learning and development tailored to your role.

An environment with flexible working options.

A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments.

Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation.

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.

Open to UK nationals only.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.