Are you flexible, able to adapt to changing priorities and keen to help us improve the way we work?

We are looking for enthusiastic, proactive individuals to join our Internal Portfolio Management Office.

You will be part of a small professional team where your skills and experience will ensure that the investment we make in our infrastructure and services maximises the benefit we provide to Science and Technology (S&T) and Defence and Security customers.

Through a set of five sub-portfolios the Internal Portfolio has Portfolio responsibility for Projects including Infrastructure, IT, Equipment Support to S&T, and other organisational Change Initiatives. We have seen increased capital investment in Infrastructure and IT and our Programmes and Projects have recently delivered new explosive facilities that include the state-of-the-art Energetics Analysis Centre, which houses the Forensic Explosives Laboratory, Explosives Detection, Biometrics and Intelligence Capabilities; the UK’s first Defence Wargaming Centre (DWC) at Portsdown West, a dedicated Centre of Excellence, that brings together expertise and technology from Defence, industry and other partners; and through one of our major Change Initiatives critical work for the Home Office, Police, Fire and Border Force is now fully integrated with other Defence and Security S&T, providing a resilient, world-class capability to protect the UK from crime and terrorism following the integration of Home Office S&T into Dstl.

Job description

The Internal Portfolio is responsible for Portfolio Management of all of the Programme and Project based activity conducted within Dstl’s Operations Division and is essential to ensuring that the investment we make in our infrastructure and services is optimised to maximise the benefit we provide to S&T and Defence and Security customers.

The Internal Portfolio has a key role in the submission of Investment Business Cases for the Laboratory, with approvals internally within Dstl, MOD and wider Government. The submission and coordination of well formed Business Cases is a vital role in securing the funding Dstl needs to maintain effective operations and in successfully delivering projects which realise their benefits. Key to enabling this is working with stakeholders across Government to secure approvals which include DPAS, Cabinet Office, MOD commercial, Home Office Finance and wider.
There is a strong advice component within this role to assist Business Case authors in navigating the Approvals Process (mostly in the MoD category D space) and in developing well formed and considered cases in line with policy. You will have a working knowledge of relevant MOD policy.
In addition, you will maintain oversight of all submissions, internal and external to Dstl, and track their approval at all stages, providing feedback to the business on the progress of these submissions or any actions which need to be taken. You will need to develop strong relationships with those in the MOD Scrutiny Community to understand their requirements, working with them and as policy changes and evolves to enable Dstl to be at the forefront of best practice and influence appropriately.
 

Responsibilities

In this role you will:
- Provide a laboratory wide lead in advice and guidance on the development of Business Cases in line with MoD policy and best practice.
- Engage with key stakeholders across government to support successful approvals and benefits realisation for Dstl investments.
- Develop a network of contacts across MOD and wider Government and actively share and exchange good practice.
- Working with Investment Management Committee members and the Operations Leadership Team to identify actions to improve the implementation of Approvals Processes.
- Ensure that all Dstl Business Cases going for approval comply with Approval Policy and coordinate the circulation to Approving Authorities for consideration providing advice and best practice to Business Case authors and teams.
- Plan, coordinate and minute Dstl Investment Management Committee meetings recording any outcomes from the Approval Committee and feeding back actions to be taken.
- Influence the development of the Dstl and MOD Approval Processes.
- Be the Custodian of the Internal Portfolio Approvals and Assurance Framework and Process Owner for the Dstl Approvals Process leading on its development and understanding across Operations Division ensuring it is embedded as business as usual.
- Collate lessons identified from Business Case submissions and together with feedback from Business Case authors and the Investment Management Committee share best practice, lessons identified and identify changes and improvements in Dstl Approval and Assurance Framework as it matures.
- Maintain a live database of all Business Cases in train as well as a forward look of approvals for the organisation and generate reports for monthly reporting to stakeholders within the Division as well as the Executive Management Committee and Board.
- Provide analysis of Business Case data using metrics to aid business decisions, monitor performance and identify areas for improvement.
- Working with the P3 Group Leaders and Team Leaders to help identify any training requirements and communications or briefings necessary to ensure successful Business Case approvals.

Qualifications

- P3O Practitioner or equivalent role with an understanding developed in strategy, governance, or specialist area (economics, commercial, legal) that contributes to the development of a Business Case.
- Working use of Excel.
- APMG Better Business Cases Foundation.

Memberships

APM or equivalent

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership

Benefits

We'll provide a great range of benefits including:

Fully flexible working, including alternative working patterns, annualised hours, compressed hours and job share, to name a few.
Flexible Working hours, a 12 month reference period and the ability to bank hours. Up to 20 hours can be taken in any calendar month.
Excellent learning and development to ensure everyone fulfils their potential.
Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid, and paternity leave of 2 weeks full pay.
Chartership and accreditation support.
Pension.
Generous annual leave, with the ability to buy and sell up to 5 days holiday per year.
A competitive salary.
Onsite gyms and restaurants.
Staff discounts for high street and online shopping, restaurants and days out.

Our Diversity Networks

DSTL recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution. We have a number of support networks to ensure all employees feel supported at work.
These include the following:
• Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Network
• Faith and Culture Network
• Parents and Carer Support Network
• Alternative Working Network
• Gender Equality Network
• New Starters Network
• Enabled Network, for people with visible and non-visible disabilities

For further information about DSTL please check out our LinkedIn page 

Things you need to know Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Interviews will be by video on the 17th January 2021. Please prepare a 10 minute presentation on how you would interpret data and produce best practice advice to others.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

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.

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.