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About the job
Job summary
Are you an innovative individual with significant programme management experience?
Do you have outstanding interpersonal and stakeholder management skills?
Would you embrace the opportunity to manage a portfolio of projects, adding value and helping to deliver MCAs strategic objectives and improve the agencys services.
If so, we are looking for a Head of Programme Management Office to join us at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and we’d love to hear from you!
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) implements the governments maritime safety policy in the United Kingdom and works to prevent the loss of life and occurrence of pollution on the coast and at sea.
Safer lives. Safer Ships. Cleaner Seas.
Our vision is to be a world-leading organisation, accelerating the transition to sustainable shipping with non-negotiable safety standards. We put our people, our customers and our planet at the heart of everything we do.
We welcome applications from all communities, and we dont discriminate against any identity. Were interested to hear from you, regardless of your background.
Job description
The Enterprise Programme Management Office (EPMO) are responsible for managing MCAs portfolio of projects and programmes as required to achieve MCAs strategic objectives and Business Plan. Further to this the EPMO are responsible for defining and maintaining the standards for project and programme management within MCA. This includes the implementation and sharing of best practice as well as the development and application of project procedures, tools and techniques in order to standardise methodologies and realise economies.
The Head of Enterprise Programme Management Office has overall responsibility for the work of MCAs EPMO function. They will be required to develop and continuously improve a suite of EPMO services for internal customers. They will work with MCA Project Managers, Sponsors and other directorate PMO teams to support the successful delivery of MCAs portfolio of projects and programmes. The post holder will provide expert guidance, support and insight on project management, and support the development of MCAs project information and metrics.
The role holder will be working across multiple programmes with a range of diverse stakeholders. They will collaborate with colleagues across the MCA to provide strategic analysis and insight on performance at portfolio level for review of MCA Executive Team.
This is an exciting opportunity to work on a dynamic programme, in a fast paced environment where you will be heavily involved in establishing the EPMO and how it works. You will experience exposure to stakeholders of all grades, including working with executive directors to support them. In addition you will have the autonomy to lead change, establish new ways of working and add value to the agencys strategic goals.
Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Oversee MCAs strategic project pipeline, working with business areas to identify and define new projects, providing regular updates to MCAs Executive to prioritise and agree any additions to MCAs portfolio.
- Oversee MCAs portfolio delivery map to monitor project progress. Ensuring that any interdependencies across change projects are understood and the associated risks managed appropriately.
- Oversee a clear project governance framework and reporting regime aligned to the Government Functional Project Delivery Standard and wider Project Portfolio Management (PPM) best practice.
- Provide strategic analysis and insight on performance at portfolio level for review of MCA Executive Team.
- Support Project Managers and directorate PMO teams to ensure appropriate governance is in place and arrange external reviews e.g. Gateway Reviews at appropriate points in the project lifecycle. Monitor the effectiveness of controls and ensure that recommendations from external reviews are acted upon.
For further information about the role and responsibilities, please see the attached role profile.
Person specification
About You
To be successful in this role you will need to be a qualified Project Management practitioner (APM PMQ, PRINCE2 or equivalent).
You will have experience of managing a PMO team, or experience as a programme/project manager on large programmes/projects. You will have the ability to think strategically and ensure continuous improvement of project management processes, utilising your knowledge and past experiences to introduce new ways of working.
A strong understanding of government governance processes and knowledge of project and programme controls will be a strength of yours. You will drive innovation and introduce the latest ideas, taking responsibility for building capability and professional development.
You will be a natural leader, with excellent managements skills. You can articulate and confidently communicate effectively whilst engaging with a diverse range of contacts, utilising your interpersonal skills to develop positive working relationships, but also have the ability to be persuasive when required.
Additional Information
This role will be based in the Southampton HQ. MCA supports flexible working and operates a hybrid working model between home and office for this role, giving you greater flexibility over where and when you work.
The expectation is that you will spend a minimum 60% of your working time based at your principal workplace or out on official business. Details of the arrangement will be discussed further with your line manager.
Qualifications
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.
Click here to get a copy of the MCA Staff Benefits Brochure
Find out what it’s like to work at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Things you need to know
Selection process details
How to Apply
CV and Personal Statement:
Within your CV and Personal Statement please demonstrate how you meet the following criteria, and the related knowledge and experience:
- Qualified Project Management practitioner and experience as a project delivery professional.
- Proven track record in portfolio, programme or project management.
- Working knowledge of project and programme controls and understanding of related government governance processes.
- Strong people leadership and management skills.
Your personal statement will be limited to a maximum of 1,250 words.
It is essential when submitting your personal statement that you provide as much detail as possible, and utilise the full word count given, against the essential criteria outlined above as this will be used in conjunction with your CV to assess candidate suitability to move to the next round in the recruitment process.
Sift and Interview Dates:
The sift is due to take place on 15th and 16th January 2024.
Interviews/assessments are likely to be held from w/c 29th January 2024.
This interview could be conducted online via Teams or face to face at one of our offices. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:
- An interview.
- A presentation.
Youre encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Document 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.
This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.
Pre-employment Checking
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 applicants 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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Oliver Poxon
- Email : Oliver.Poxon@mcga.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here
