MCCO Portfolio Delivery Manager

Job content

Summary

About the job

We are seeking a talented and enthusiastic candidate to join the newly formed MCCO (Maritime Capability Campaign Office) as Portfolio Delivery Manager. This is an ideal role for someone with a proven track record of managing delivery projects across a complex stakeholder landscape, and who wants to work in a high-profile delivery area of Whitehall.

The MCCO sits within the Department for International Trade (DIT). DIT’s role is to promote and enable UK trade globally by supporting businesses to take advantage of the appetite for British goods and services around the world, attracting foreign companies and investment and helping international companies collaborate with UK suppliers.

The MCCO was established on 30 April 2021 and will achieve full establishment by 31 December. It is a strategic planning organisation designed to drive energy and cross-Whitehall coherence into the pursuit of maritime export opportunities in the civil and defence maritime sectors. The MCCO works in partnership with UK industry to deliver the exports function of the newly formed National Shipbuilding Office. It delivers against one of the Prime Minister’s top domestic priorities.

As Portfolio Delivery Manager you will be responsible for managing the collection of civil and defence maritime projects (‘export campaigns’). You will be responsible for the prioritisation and allocation of delivery resources across the portfolio to ensure optimal delivery of those export prospects and campaigns.

Job Description

This is a challenging, newly established post. Your principal responsibilities will comprise:

Project Pipeline Management. Working with cross-Whitehall business areas to manage export capability prospects and provide regular updates to the MCCO Portfolio Board. The role will – focus on campaigns in their delivery phase but retain awareness throughout their lifecycle, from identification onwards.

Team Leadership and Management. As the MCCO grows, you may acquire leadership and management responsibilities within the organisation, likely to include data analysis and fusion, communications and secretariat.

Planning, Scheduling & Resourcing. Maintain portfolio delivery map and critical path to monitor project progress. Recognise and track interdependencies across campaigns. Recommend how financial and other resources be allocated to optimise return on investment. Develop strategies to address resource gaps.

Risk & Opportunity Management. Identify and monitor portfolio risks, planning and implementing responses.

Stakeholder Management. Map stakeholder interest and influence to determine priorities for engagement and communication.

Benefits Management. Establish ownership and responsibility within the business for benefit realisation. Routinely assess progress towards benefits realisation.

Hybrid worker

The role will be based in either London or Cardiff. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas.

Informal hybrid working arrangements will be available as agreed with the vacancy manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Most DIT employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending 2-3 days a week (pro rata) in an office, on average. If your office location is London, you will be eligible to receive London weighting.

Appointments will be made to candidates in merit order based on location preferences.

Responsibilities

Essential Criteria

As MCCO Portfolio Manager you must be either practitioner or having working level knowledge and practical experience of the following:

• Planning (Practitioner)
• Scheduling (Practitioner)
• Risk & issue management (Practitioner)
• Business change & implementation (Working Level knowledge)
• Benefits Management and Realisation (Practitioner)
  

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of the maritime sector and of the government’s export agenda
• Working in the Public Sector, including Government departments
• APM Practitioner Qualification
• APM Registered Project Professional
• Project Leadership Programme
  

Personal Attributes & Skills

The MCCO spans a diverse civil and defence stakeholder community which presents unique management challenges. Also, with the MCCO being a new entity, you will encounter the array of professional and cultural issues associated with business change. Therefore, more than just portfolio management we are looking for someone with natural charismatic, inclusive leadership and stakeholder management ability. You must embrace uncertainty and ambiguity and be able to convert outline direction and guidance into effective and tangible results. Resilience, initiative, team spirit and a sense of humour are essential attributes, reflecting the core components of the MCCO ethos we are seeking to create.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
  

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
  

Technical skills

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

• Portfolio and Programme Management
  

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension
  

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.See our vetting charter.

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, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

We are closely monitoring the situation regarding Coronavirus, and will be following Central Government advice as it is issued. There is therefore a risk that recruitment to this post may be subject to change at short notice. In addition, where appropriate, you may be invited to attend a video interview.

Please continue to follow the application process as normal and ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

Sift will take place week commencing 04/10/2021.

Interviews will take place week commencing 11/10/2021.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement, behavioural statements and a Civil Service Judgement Test.

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Judgement Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 05/10/2021. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

Please Align Your CV With Previous Skills And Experience.

Maximum of 2 A4 pages.

In your personal statement, please explain your motivation for applying for this role and the extent to which you satisfy the essential and preferred requirements of the role. Maximum 500 words.

In the event that there is a high volume of applications, a short sift will be conducted based on lead behaviour: Seeing the Big Picture. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

During the interview process you will be assessed on the behaviours stated in the advert strengths and technical skills.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Reasonable adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via ditrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.

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 applicant’s 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 the government.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Any move to the Department for International Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

The Department for International Trade embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation.

Please note – harmonised terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ’Contact point for applicants’ section.

Vetting Requirements

SC

All security clearances require you to provide evidence of your UK footprint where you have been

physically present in the UK.

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 of the last 5 years.

Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being

rejected.

If you require SC clearance you will need to provide evidence of the below requirements.

Checks Will Be Made Against

• departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security
  

records)

• UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records.
• your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
• Security Services records
  

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

Nationality requirements

This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

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.

Apply and further information

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 :Name : Jol WoodardEmail : Jol.woodard@trade.gov.uk Recruitment team :Email : ditrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DIT by email: Resourcing@trade.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints