Head of PMO (Ref:77387)

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. PMO’s in the MoJ are central to the delivery of the Secretary of State’s priorities. These opportunities provide a unique chance to be at the forefront of leading and implementing significant projects across the MoJ. 

As Head of PMO, you will define and maintain the standards for project management within your team. This includes the implementation and sharing of best practice as well as the development and application of project procedures, tools and techniques. You will provide guidance, support and insight on the project, and acts as a source of project information and metrics. You will have effective leadership, interpersonal and communication skills.  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

• Delivery & Leadership – Lead the PMO to support the project in the delivery of Business Case benefits and outcomes.
• Business Case – Support the Project Manager in the development of Business Case with input from specialists as necessary.
• Budget – Develop and agree budgets for projects and/or programmes and forecast actual costs against them.
• Resources – Manage the PMO team and support the Project Manager in the identification, recruitment, development, deployment and reassignment of resources throughout the project lifecycle.
• Stakeholder Management – Advise the project team on appropriate tools and techniques for managing stakeholder relationships. Provide assurance to the project manager on the effectiveness of stakeholder management arrangements.
• Risks & Issues – Establish the project processes and standards for managing risks and issues. Provide assurance to the project manager on the effectiveness of Risk and Issue management arrangements.
• Governance & Assurance – 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.
• Change Management – Establish and implement protocols to change the scope of projects and/or programmes and update configuration documents as required.
• Project Performance & Controls – Establish and operate project controls on behalf of the project manager, reporting on project progress and status to appropriate bodies.
• Guidance & Support – Identify, develop and share best practice project management processes, tools and templates. Provides direction and guidance to the project team.

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/programmes are based.

We are currently recruiting to MoJ Justice Collaboration Centres and Justice Satellite Offices in line with the MoJ Estates Strategy. All available sites can be found on this link.

Salary & Grade

Band B (SEO)

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.

Find Out More – Webinar

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

• Tuesday 22nd August – register here

 Selection and Recruitment Process

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.

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Planning
• Governance
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Risk and Issue Management
• Visible Leadership

• Access to learning and development
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Annual Leave
• Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Job contact :

• Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
• Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
• Telephone : 0845 241 5359

Recruitment team

• Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com