JOB SUMMARY

Defence has a window of opportunity to aggregate, reset and optimise support services contracts in the window 2026-2028 when multiple high profile contracts are due to expire.
Future Defence Support Services (FDSS) will succeed LCS(T) from 2028 and integrate elements of capability currently provided by the other contracts or in-house services to deliver the availability, agility, flexibility, and resilience that Defence requires of its support services. It is critical that these support services transition to avoid a capability cliff edge, ensuring continuity of service beyond 2028.
Aligned to the establishment of FDSS as a Programme, FDSS are creating a Programme Management Office (PMO) function. This presents an exciting opportunity to join a team at its inception and help it inform its formation, bringing your skills and experience to aid the PMO Head to developing a collaborative and empowering environment.
The Programme Officer will have excellent written communication skills to assist in document drafting, review and assurance of high-level papers, manage the drafting of responses to Requests for Information (RFIs) or Freedom of Information (FOIs) and will represent the programme on behalf of senior leadership at events or meetings as required.
The role will undertake assurance activities across the Programme, driving the professionalisation of the Project Delivery and associated methodologies with a collaborative approach.
This role represents an excellent opportunity to gain senior exposure and have a significant role in delivering a Cat A programme of work.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Main objectives include, but are not limited to:

• Represent the FDSS Deputy Director and PMO Head in any required engagements, expressing and communicating the programme needs and views to audiences as required.
• Assurance - Undertake assurance activity of senior papers, strategies etc. prior to senior circulation ensuring consistency of message and quality of outputs aligned to JSP specifications.
• Reviews – Provide advice in project reviews, peer reviews, peer assists, stage gate reviews etc.
• Programme Ways of Working – Provide advice to shape standards and approaches across the programme to the PMO Head, Deputy Director and their team. Provide examples and use expertise to shape solutions to complex problems.

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates will be expected to have one of the following qualifications at practitioner level or significant valuable experience:
Managing Successful Programmes (MSP)
APM Practitioner Qualification (APMPMQ)
Prince 2

BENEFITS

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. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
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.
An opportunity to be considered for Reward and Recognition.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD 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. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

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)
• 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

Project Delivery