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Project Delivery

Senior Project Manager – 71642
£51,767 – £64,135
Multiple Locations

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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.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) priorities include improving public safety and reducing reoffending by reforming prisons, probation and youth justice, and building a justice system which makes access to justice swifter and more certain for all citizens whatever their background. Project professionals in the MoJ help to improve the government’s ability to protect the public and reduce reoffending, and to provide a more effective, transparent and responsive criminal justice system for victims and the public.

This role provides you with the unique opportunity to being central to the delivery of the Secretary of State’s priorities by being a member of the MoJ Project Delivery Function.  The MoJ Project Delivery Function sees the centralisation and coordination of all project delivery within the Ministry and by joining the MoJ Project Delivery Function, you will be able to access professional development opportunities including an enhanced and tailored development plan, access world leading guidance, tools and support across and access to the unique Government Project Delivery Professional Network, not to mention your participation in some of the Countries most ambitious projects and programmes. 

As a Grade 7 Senior Project Manager, you will lead a defined set of interdependent projects, including the associated business change activities and establish appropriate governance and assurance processes monitoring progress, monitoring risks and issues and ensuring the business readiness for change.  The role requires professional expertise in the effective use of programme/project methodologies and techniques.  You will be responsible for the overall integrity and coherence of the programme.  You will develop and maintain the programme environment to support each individual project within it to achieve their best.  You will need to have effective leadership, interpersonal and communication skills to provide effect day to day management of the project or programme.  Successful candidates are expected to commit to the role for a minimum of 18 months.

MoJ expects its leaders to show openness, honesty and commitment, and, of course, to deliver results.

Key responsibilities of the role

These may be further shaped and adjusted dependent on business needs and team resources / skills.

  • Delivery – Create and lead the project to deliver the agreed outcomes within time, cost and quality constraints.
  • Project Management – Day to day management and leadership of the project/programme and the project team. Provide effective leadership and management controls. Set project controls. Design the project structure and organisation appropriate to stage. Set appropriate delivery methodologies. Manage effective transition between project phases.
  • Business Case – Develop and draft the Business Cases, with input from specialists as necessary.
  • Budget – Develop the budget and track delivery within budget.
  • Resources – Identify skill requirements; and deploy and develop resources. Manage medium sized team.
  • Benefits Realisation – Deliver the agreed Business Case benefits and outcomes. Ensure appropriate Benefits Realisation Strategy is in place, and monitor longer term delivery of benefits against the Business Case.
  • Stakeholder Management – Identify and manage stakeholder relationships and need for senior level support. Manage internal and external relationships as appropriate.
  • Risks & Issues – Identify and monitor project risks and issues. Develop mitigating actions and escalate as appropriate. Identify and work with related projects to manage interdependencies.
  • Governance – Support effective governance and decision making. Provide reporting and engage in mechanisms that hold you, as Project Manager, to account for delivery.
  • Assurance – Engage with assurance reviews and support action on recommendations. Organise assurance processes such as gateway reviews, as required.
  • Change Management – Ensure effective Change Management processes are in place to agree and document changes to deliverables as agreed with stakeholders.
  • Guidance & Support – Provide support, guidance and coaching for the project team. Show commitment to personal development. Promote effective individual and team performance.
  • Project Performance & Controls – Cascade vision and translate into delivery objectives for the team. Develop and maintain Project Plan. Identify and set appropriate Project Controls. Manage performance and report progress to sponsors.
  • Line Management – There will be line management of Project Delivery Professional(s) within the Professional Delivery Group as part of this role, including the management of direct report’s HR and well-being, development with a focus on coaching and mentoring, ensuring quality and standards of PPM are upheld.

This is a permanent position with frequent weekly travel to other sites.

Location & Terms of appointment

This post is advertised nationally but frequent travel will be required to locations where our Major Projects are based.

Your base office location at an MoJ HQ site, Justice Collaboration Centre, or Justice Satellite Office will be discussed if successful, as we do not offer home working contracts. All available sites can be found on this link.

Find Out More – Webinar

We will be holding a find out more webinar sessions for all potential candidates to come and ask questions regarding the role. This will be held on

Salary & Grade

Grade 7

New entrants to the Civil Service will be expected to join on the minimum of the pay range and this is non-negotiable.

Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department’s pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules.

Selection and Recruitment Process

As this is a 4-month rolling recruitment campaign, various sift/interview dates will be scheduled across the 4 months.

Where high volumes of applications are received the initial sift will be completed against the lead competency. If your application progresses to a full sift, all competencies will then be considered. Feedback is not available for those not invited to interview.

Merit List of successful candidates based on location will be retained after this campaign for 12 months.

Application Process

You will be required to complete an application form providing evidence of how you meet the Project Delivery Competencies as per the Project Delivery Capability Framework (PDCF) and provide a current CV.

Details on the PDCF can be found on the Infrastructure and Projects Authority pages

Successful candidates will then be invited for interview and the interviews will take place virtually via MS Teams.

The interview will consist of a variety Project Delivery technical and strength-based questions.

Project Delivery Competencies 

You will be required to provide evidence of the following key competencies at the indicated level:

Competencies    Description    Level required

Project Delivery Profession – Technical Competencies

Commercial and procurement skills    

Commercial and procurement skills is the ability to gain financial approval for project costs and work with commercial colleagues to monitor spend against contract. It is also the ability to ensure the process by which the goods and services are procured by a project in line with the relevant regulatory framework.    

(W) Working knowledge and practical experience

•    You have a good understanding of this competence
•    You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects. 

Requirements Management    

Requirements Management is the process of capturing stakeholder needs, assessing, defining and justifying those needs to arrive at an agreed schedule of requirements.    

(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.

•    You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects
•    You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence
•    You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.

Solutions Development    

Solutions Development is the ability to identify, document and analyse the various delivery options and select the optimal solution.    

(A) Basic knowledge and limited or no experience

•    You understand how it can be applied
•    You can describe the benefits and importance
•    You may have applied it in a low complexity project under supervision or assisted others in delivering it

Planning    

Planning is the ability to define the fundamental components of a project in terms of its scope, deliverables, time scales, resource requirements and budget. It also includes the production of broader plans incorporating risk and quality to provide a consolidated overview of a project.    

(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.

•    You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects
•    You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence
•    You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.

Scheduling  

Scheduling is the ability to develop, produce and maintain schedules for activities that take account of dependencies, resource requirements and constraints in order to enable the efficient realisation of benefits.    

(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.

•    You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects
•    You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence
•    You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.

Resource management    

Resource Management is the ability to identify, profile and secure the resources required to deliver a project.    

(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.

•    You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects
•    You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence
•    You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.

Budgeting and cost management    

Budgeting and Cost Management is the ability to estimate costs, produce a budget and control forecasts and actual spend against budget.    

(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.

•    You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects
•    You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence
•    You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.

Risk & issue management    

Risk & Issue Management is the ability to systematically identify and monitor risks & issues, planning how to mitigate / respond to those risks and issues and implementing the responses.    

(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.

•    You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects
•    You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence
•    You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.

Quality Management    

Quality management is the ability to plan, develop, maintain and apply quality management processes to ensure the adherence to those standards throughout the project delivery lifecycle.    

(W) Working knowledge and practical experience

•    You have a good understanding of this competence
•    You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.

Business change and implementation    

Business Change & Implementation is the ability to integrate the project outputs into ‘business as usual’ (BAU) ensuring that activities are planned and completed to enable the business to implement the change and realise the benefits.    

(W) Working knowledge and practical experience

•    You have a good understanding of this competence
•    You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.

Governance    

Governance is the ability to clearly define roles, responsibilities and accountabilities and establish controls and approval routes appropriate to each stage of the project to monitor project progress and compliance.    

(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.

•    You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects
•    You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence
•    You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.

Frameworks & methodologies    

Frameworks & methodologies is the ability to identify and amend appropriate project frameworks and methodologies to enable a consistent and efficient approach to delivery at all stages of the project lifecycle.    

(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.

•    You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects
•    You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence
•    You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.

Stakeholder engagement    

Stakeholder Engagement is the ability to systematically identify, analyse and communicate with stakeholders, using appropriate channels, to ensure all those impacted by the change are engaged, taking account of their levels of influence and particular interests.    

(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.

•    You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects
•    You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence
•    You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.

Assurance    

Assurance is the ability to establish, plan and manage reviews at appropriate points during all stages of the project life cycle to provide evaluations of progress against time, cost, quality, compliance and ongoing viability.    

(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.

•    You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects
•    You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence
•    You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.

Change control  

Change Control is the ability to establish protocols to manage and document all requests that alter the scope of a project. This includes the capture, evaluation and approval or rejection of any requests.    

(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.

•    You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects
•    You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence
•    You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.

Business case development    

Business Case Development is the ability to prepare, develop, commission and update business cases to justify the initiation and continuation of projects in terms of benefits, value for money and risk.    

(W) Working knowledge and practical experience

•    You have a good understanding of this competence
•    You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.

Asset allocation    

Asset allocation is the ability to recommend how financial and other resources should be allocated between projects in order to optimise the organisations return on investment (ROI). This includes the determination of which projects should be initiated continued or closed to best support the organisations strategic objectives.    

(A) Basic knowledge and limited or no experience

•    You understand how it can be applied
•    You can describe the benefits and importance
•    You may have applied it in a low complexity project under supervision or assisted others in delivering it.

Benefits management    

Benefits Management is the ability to identify, quantify, map and track project benefits to justify investment in the project, and to provide assurance that the benefits identified can be realised.    

(W) Working knowledge and practical experience

•    You have a good understanding of this competence
•    You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.

Knowledge management    

Knowledge Management is the ability identify, share and promote best practices and lessons learned to create a culture of learning and good practice that supports continuous improvement to optimise project delivery.    

(W) Working knowledge and practical experience

•    You have a good understanding of this competence
•    You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.

Project Delivery Profession – Behavioural/Leadership Competencies

Visible leadership    

The ability to engage, motivate and coach others. To act as a role model and inspire and empower others.    

(W) Working knowledge and practical experience

•    You have a good understanding of this competence
•    You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.

Credible action    

The ability to promote the wider public good in all actions and to act in a morally, legally and socially appropriate manner at all times. Challenges unacceptable behaviour.    

(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.

•    You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects
•    You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence
•    You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.

Working with ambiguity    

The ability to work in an environment of uncertainty and continual change. Able to feel comfortable making decisions and setting direction without having the full picture and re-focus as details emerge. Can apply knowledge and techniques to reduce ambiguity.    

(W) Working knowledge and practical experience

•    You have a good understanding of this competence
•    You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.

Collaboration

The ability to establish and develop productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, bringing people together to benefit the project.    

(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.

•    You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects
•    You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence
•    You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.

Influencing

The ability to influence, change and impact decisions with both internal and external stakeholders.

(P) Detailed knowledge and significant experience. You have a deep understanding of this competence.

•    You have applied this independently in medium and/ or highly complex projects
•    You advise and may supervise others in the delivery of this competence
•    You can adapt/tailor your approach to meet the requirements of the project.

Conflict resolution

The ability to recognize, anticipate and effectively deal with existing or potential conflicts at an individual, team or strategic level.

(W) Working knowledge and practical experience

•    You have a good understanding of this competence
•    You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.

Inspiring others

The ability to create and present a compelling vision and set clear direction, that motivates others to work towards a common goal.

(W) Working knowledge and practical experience

•    You have a good understanding of this competence
•    You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.

Resilience

The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and adverse situations whilst remaining calm, reassuring others and maintaining performance.

(W) Working knowledge and practical experience

•    You have a good understanding of this competence
•    You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.

Innovation

The ability to think of, research and apply new ideas and ways of doing things. Encourages and supports innovations from others, is willing to experiment and follow ideas through to implementation.

(W) Working knowledge and practical experience

•    You have a good understanding of this competence
•    You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.

Culture change

The ability to plan, lead and effect positive cultural change, securing commitment and buy-in and promoting a positive long term vision. Recognizes when broader culture change is necessary to deliver a project.

(W) Working knowledge and practical experience

•    You have a good understanding of this competence
•    You have applied this independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.

Salary

The national salary range is £51,767 - £59,590, London salary range is £55,720 - £64,135. Your salary will be dependent on your base location.

Additional Information

Travel

Frequent travel to other sites is required for this post.

Flexible working options

MoJ offers a flexible working system in many of its offices.

Job Sharing and Reduced Hours

All applications for job sharing or reduced hours will be treated fairly and on a case by case basis in accordance with the MoJ’s flexible working policy and equality policy.

Excess Fares and Relocation Allowances

This job is not eligible for relocation allowances, but excess fares may be considered in accordance with MoJ’s excess fares allowance policy.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on ‘modernised’ terms in their current post or onto ‘unmodernised’ MoJ terms if they are on ‘unmodernised’ terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

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.