Job description for Junior Project Manager

Do you thrive developing positive and engaged relationships in a complex and ever-evolving environment?

Are you considering building an exciting career within an organisation that protects and supports the UK Armed Forces?

The Project Management community within Abbey Wood is a group of circa 1000 individuals focused on using their skills and experience to help the delivery of a wide range of complex, interesting projects and programmes providing equipment for our armed forces.

You will be provided with diverse opportunities at the forefront of ensuring the delivery of crucial and significant projects. For example, you could be involved in projects that deliver equipment to the front lines, supporting Humanitarian aid globally, or guaranteeing future capabilities such as robotics and automation.

There will be numerous opportunities to further develop your Project Management skills and knowledge via on-the-job and formal training.

Whilst on site, you’ll experience a range of on-site facilities including a restaurant and coffee bistros and free parking. Our sports facilities include a fully equipped gym and sports hall with bookable classes, as well as tennis courts and a squash court.

For security reasons some of these roles are reserved for sole UK nationals only. A ‘sole UK national’ refers to an individual who holds citizenship solely in the UK, without dual citizenship or nationality from another country. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship.

We champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required (this is expected to be approximately 60% of your working week) however this can depend on the demands of the role and could vary in order to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance and business need. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

What you’ll be doing

• Develop and control all relevant project documentation from project plans, project schedules, status reports and risk registers to deliver specific project outputs within an established baseline, measuring progress via monthly drumbeat, explaining variances and taking corrective action.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary functions in managing a Control Account or simple projects demonstrating ability to lead as a future manager.
• Support an open, honest, no blame culture, proactively highlighting failures and shortfalls to the Control A Account Manager or PM, advising of LFE or mitigations.
• Conduct internal and external stakeholder analysis work to identify and understand stakeholder requirements, interests and influences or support in the development of these elements for control accounts.
• Understand and demonstrate the contractual obligations and the role of suppliers to meet a project’s requirements.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Evidence of current project management experience and skills to contribute to successful project delivery
• Experience of gathering data, analysing and validating information, including risks, to influence and inform decisions
• Experience of engaging with stakeholders

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Core Behaviour 1: Delivering at pace
• Core Behaviour 2: Changing and Improving
• Technical Competence 1: Project /Programme Initiation – Supervised Practitioner
• Technical Competence 2: Controlling a project – Supervised Practitioner

 Offered Benefits

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of – and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Further Information

• Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles – Civil Service Commission
• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-Terms-and-Conditions
• Civil Service Code: The Code – Civil Service Commission

Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.

Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section ‘Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.’

Selection process details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-sift – We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
2. Sift – Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
3. Interview – If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be assessed against the Sift categories (CV Review) listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. 

Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the relative importance of the assessed competencies as per the hierarchy below:

• 1st: Core Behaviour 1
• 2nd: Core Behaviour 1
• 3rd: Technical Competencies
• 4th: CV Review

In the event of a further tie using the method above, we reserve the right to utilise an additional assessment.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

If you feel that 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 department via email: DESHR-WSC-PMOCOMPLAINTS@mod.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Complaints – Civil Service Commission