Location: Hanslope, Milton Keynes, South East England, MK19 7BH.
At FCDO Services, we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings, courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech, and a whole lot more.
Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we're on. In our world, it all matters.
Provide support to project managers and programme teams to support the delivery of the project’s objectives, through the operation of project management processes, ensuring the delivery of projects to time, quality and cost.
Job overview
Whether we're deploying Wi-Fi globally to government buildings, delivering security infrastructure to the world's most isolated areas or undertaking seismic strengthening on historical embassies, every project needs a plan.
That's where our Project Management team shines. They deliver projects end-to-end, considering every single detail to deliver quality on time and on budget. And now, you've got the opportunity to join them.
Help to keep projects with global impact on track
As Project Control Officer, you’ll support Project Managers and Programme Managers to deliver their objectives. Working with them, you’ll ensure that projects are set up accurately and in accordance with the Proposal and Project Plan. You’ll contribute to the decision making around controlling projects and finances.
Plus, you’ll responsible for project file management, organising key project key meetings, and providing secretariat support. Keep accurate, timely and comprehensive records of actions and issues relating to project delivery, including producing comprehensive minutes of formal meetings.
We’d also like you to assist with monitoring project spend and budgeting. You’ll make sure that project invoicing and re-profiling is up to date. As well as this, you’ll maintain risk and issue logs, escalating as appropriate. Once a project is ready for closure, you’ll ensure that relevant activities are completed in a timely manner and in accordance with commercial process requirements.
You’ll be responsible for prioritising and scheduling your own work. As well as seeing that project managers stay on track, such as with requests for information and authorisation.
Building positive working relationships will be key. You’ll keep senior management informed, respond to customer requirements, engage with stakeholders, and direct admin teams to order goods and services.
Take your skills in projects further
You’re experienced at managing projects financials and processes, with a knowledge of programme and project processes. You have strong numerical and analytical skills.
A motivated self-starter, you’re comfortable working without close supervision. This is matched with a knack for organisation.
An excellent communicator, you’ve worked with and influenced key stakeholders and senior management.
It would be a plus if you had experience working in government or another large organisation. As well as experience of analysing data and providing recommendations for best course of action. Familiarity with MS Project, MSpol and/or an ORCALE system would be advantageous.
Discover the support you need to grow your career further
But we’re always looking to improve – just like you. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us.
Our offices have an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It’s a great set of benefits made to support all you do, and all you need.
Want to see your future team’s work in action? Step into our Virtual Embassy and select a guide to take you round to see how we deliver for government customers and how you could help. Explore the embassy now at virtual-embassy.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk
Every single colleague must be security cleared before joining us. If you’re successful in your application, we’ll ask you to undergo our vetting process to achieve Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. You can find out more about vetting at fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/how-to-apply/
To find out more about our benefits and our organisation, please visit fcdoservicescareers.co.uk.
It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world
The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued.
It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And why we’re recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.
Person specification
We are looking for people with:
- Experience of managing projects financials and processes
- Numerical and analytical skills
- Knowledge of programme and project processes
- Motivated self-starter who can work without close supervision
- Excellent communication & organisational skills
- Experience of working with and influencing key stakeholders and senior management.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Experience of managing projects financials and processes
- Knowledge of programme and project processes
- Experience of working with and influencing key stakeholders and senior management.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £31,898, FCDO Services contributes £9,240 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.
- Annual leave starting at 25 days.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- A Civil Service pension.
- Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park
- 9 days per annum public and privilege days.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience.
Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
To apply for this role, you will be asked to provide your CV, a personal statement, and provide answers to some job specific questions.
Your CV and personal statement will not form part of the assessment they will provide an insight into your work history and experience.
Your CV should include:
- no personal identifying details
- career history with key responsibilities
- skills and experience
- achievements
- qualifications
Your personal statement should outline your interest in the role.
Candidates will only be sifted on answers provided to the job specific questions which are outlined in the application form.
Those that are successful will be invited to a MS Teams interview
At the interview you will be asked a blend of questions on technical skills and behaviours.
Candidates who are judged to be close to meeting the criteria may be considered for other positions in FCDO Services which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Medical
Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.
Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only.
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.
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).
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
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
Recruitment team
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact [email protected] in the first instance.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from FCDO Services, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. For more information, please visit their website.
Attachments
Candidate pack PCO - Opens in new window (pdf, 1844kB)
