Bristol, London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, York
Job Summary
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy.
Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink. In terms of programme and project delivery, Defra has one of the largest and most complicated portfolios in Government.
Defra have a number of Higher Executive Officer (HEO) Project Support Officer vacancies across various directorates. We are holding drop-in sessions to give candidates the opportunity to speak to Project Delivery Professionals from Defra to find out more about the work we do. Please note that if you join a session using your personal Microsoft Teams account, your name and email address may be visible to other attendees. To maintain privacy, we recommend signing out of your account and joining the session as a guest.
Wednesday 27th August 10:30 - 11:00
Wednesday 03rd September 14:00 - 14:30
Job Description
The role of the Project Support Officer covers a diverse range of activities to support the delivery of the project's objectives, which will typically be moderate in complexity. You will enable the smooth running of the project by supporting it through the operation of project management processes, and the co-ordination of business management actions and activities.
These roles are aligned to the Project Delivery Capability Framework (PDCF). Further information on the PDCF can be found Here
As a Project Support Officer in Defra, your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
* Implement and maintain systems to enable effective planning and scheduling.
* Implement and maintain project controls.
* Produce project status reports, performance data & research new information.
* Manage and monitor compliance of the project in line with Defra guidelines and legislation, including Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity, Security.
* Support the Project Manager with workforce planning.
* Manage the procurement of project supplies and services within Delegated Financial Authority limits.
* Build and maintain strong professional relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
* Draft and sign off correspondence.
* Act as point of contact for project responses to requests for information and signpost accordingly.
* Monitor the project spend, compile budgets, and support the development of business cases.
* Maintain the project asset register.
* Maintain the project risk and issues log, working with risk managers to resolve issues and escalating where appropriate.
* Be an active member of the Defra Project Delivery Profession Community.
While there are currently 5 roles available for this vacancy, we aim to establish a reserve list of successful candidates. Those placed on the reserve list will remain eligible for appointment for up to 12 months. Offers of employment will be made in merit order as vacancies arise across relevant business areas
The role of the Project Support Officer covers a diverse range of activities to support the delivery of the project's objectives, which will typically be moderate in complexity. You will enable the smooth running of the project by supporting it through the operation of project management processes, and the co-ordination of business management actions and activities.
These roles are aligned to the Project Delivery Capability Framework (PDCF). Further information on the PDCF can be found Here
As a Project Support Officer in Defra, your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
* Implement and maintain systems to enable effective planning and scheduling.
* Implement and maintain project controls.
* Produce project status reports, performance data & research new information.
* Manage and monitor compliance of the project in line with Defra guidelines and legislation, including Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity, Security.
* Support the Project Manager with workforce planning.
* Manage the procurement of project supplies and services within Delegated Financial Authority limits.
* Build and maintain strong professional relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
* Draft and sign off correspondence.
* Act as point of contact for project responses to requests for information and signpost accordingly.
* Monitor the project spend, compile budgets, and support the development of business cases.
* Maintain the project asset register.
* Maintain the project risk and issues log, working with risk managers to resolve issues and escalating where appropriate.
* Be an active member of the Defra Project Delivery Profession Community.
While there are currently 5 roles available for this vacancy, we aim to establish a reserve list of successful candidates. Those placed on the reserve list will remain eligible for appointment for up to 12 months. Offers of employment will be made in merit order as vacancies arise across relevant business areas
Person specification
Your personal qualities will be as important as your professional experience; and we welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you believe you have the skills and qualities we are looking for, then we would like to hear from you. The Defra group is dedicated to having a diverse workforce which represents people in our communities and an inclusive culture where everyone feels they can be their authentic self at work, belong in the organisation and can speak up to challenge. We want everyone to be able to contribute to the success of our organisation, regardless of your background.
For this post you will be assessed on the areas set out below.
Essential Criteria
* Working knowledge of planning, scheduling, resource management, risk and issue management, change control, governance, project methodologies and assurance in a project delivery environment.
* Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
* Work well under pressure, effectively manage multiple tasks, with a keen attention to detail.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to challenge effectively to ensure the correct information is presented at the right time.
* Strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to develop effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
* Experience using Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Managing a Quality Service
* Delivering at Pace
Alongside your salary of £33,590, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £9,731 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%
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a 750-word Personal Statement. Your Personal Statement should detail evidence of how you meet the essential criteria as noted in the person specification section of the job advert. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sift
A sift will be conducted looking at the evidence shown in your Personal Statement and you will be provided with a score of 1-7.
Candidates who pass the sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Interview
If Successful At Application Stage, You Will Be Invited To Interview Where You Will Be Assessed On Your Experience, Strengths And The Following Civil Service Behaviours
* Managing a Quality Service
* Delivering at Pace
A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
Interviews will be conducted via MS Teams
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Location
As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).
Where the location is 'National' the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra's location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.
Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.
The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Defra includes the core departments, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the 'Assistance required' section in the 'Additional requirements' page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Near Miss
Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Defra which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be appointed in merit order for each location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre- stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Vetting
All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements must be truthful, factually accurate, and based on your own experience. Plagiarism - including presenting others' ideas or AI-generated content as your own - may result in withdrawal of applications or disciplinary action for internal candidates.
Please refer to our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Artificial intelligence and recruitment, Civil Service Careers
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
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)
* 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)
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.
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.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact
* Name : Resourcing Delivery Team
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email:
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: here