Project Support Officer - CostContract OpportunityBased in Bristol & Andover 2 times per week£340 - £360 per day Outside IR35*Please note this role requires security clearance due to the nature of the projectRole OverviewThe Project Support Officer will support Defence Digital projects by maintaining accurate cost forecasts, tracking risks and issues, and supporting benefits management and governance. The role focuses on ensuring cost control, affordability, and transparency across complex digital and defence programmes.Key ResponsibilitiesCost & Financial ControlMaintain project budgets, cost baselines, and forecasts aligned to approved business cases.Track actual costs, commitments, and forecasts (EAC/ETC), highlighting variances and affordability risks.Support cost analysis and earned value or equivalent reporting where required.Risk, Issue & AssumptionsMaintain risk, issue, and assumption registers with a focus on cost and benefits impact.Track mitigations and ensure risks and issues are reflected in cost forecasts and reporting.Support escalation through appropriate governance forums.Benefits ManagementMaintain benefits registers and track progress against agreed baselines.Support benefits reporting for governance boards and approvals.Ensure benefits assumptions align with cost forecasts and identified risks.Governance & ReportingPrepare cost, risk, and benefits inputs for governance packs and dashboards.Support reporting cycles and ensure adherence to Defence Digital controls and standards.Project SupportCoordinate with Project Managers, Finance, Commercial teams, and suppliers to gather cost and risk inputs.Support meetings, action tracking, and documentation related to cost and benefits.EssentialExperience supporting project cost management, forecasting, or financial control.Understanding of cost variance, forecasting, and benefits tracking.Strong analytical, organisational, and communication skills.Familiarity with Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid delivery.Prince2 CertifiedDefence, MOD, or public sector experience.