AMS PSR

On behalf of FCDO, we are looking for a Portfolio Support Officer (Inside IR35) for a 12 month contract. This is a hybrid working role (two days per week office based - London).

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) pursues our national interests and projects the UK as a force for good in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK's security, defend our values, reduce poverty, and tackle global challenges with our international partners.

Job Purpose:

Within ESND, the Portfolio Management Office provides a range of strategic planning, management reporting and operational delivery support services across the whole of the ESND. This includes support to the Estates Project Delivery Team, which delivers refurbishment and new build projects ranging from small internal refurbishments (from £200,000) to highly political, high risk new build schemes (up to £180m) in some of the most challenging locations and environments across the world. They currently have over 100 live projects all at different stages within the project lifecycle (feasibility, design, procurement, construction and handover). 

The ESND PMO owns and manages a project register for all the Estates Projects and also an ESND integrated plan, providing visibility of all delivery across the Directorate. This data is used to support the Head of Project Delivery and ESND senior leadership Team to provide oversight and make well informed decisions on management of and changes to the global platform, as well as reporting on progress to the FDCO Management Board. The PMO also provides PMO services, such as data management, to delivery teams. 

SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be eligible and willing to undergo these checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.

As a Portfolio Support Officer, your main responsibilities will be:

• Data Capture. Lead the capture and recording of project data for all portfolio projects (c.100) in the project register. Be the the key interface between the ESND PMO and the Project Leads to ensure that they are providing high quality project data and keeping it regularly updated. Lead proactive data reviews for high priority projects and those transitioning major gateways.
• Data Quality. Regularly review the data in the project register for quality and accuracy. Identify inconsistencies or incomplete data and proactively follow up with Project Leads to resolve. Work with the development team to ensure appropriate input validation and controls are in place to maintain quality. 
• Change control. Ensure all requests for changes are logged and have a reason, challenging incomplete or inaccurate data with project leads. Highlight areas of significant concern to the portfolio lead. 
• Engagement. Support communication and engagement with key delivery partners across FCDO (Security, Information and Digital and Commercial) on Project Delivery team data. Obtain feedback from on the use of the PMO systems and potential improvements. 
• Communication. Lead on communications of changes to tools and processes relating to portfolio data capture and storage with the Project Leads. Develop communication and key messages for the PMO team so that we can celebrate success.
• Information Management. Lead on ensuring effective file management and version controls are in place for project documentation curated by the PMO. 
• Process. Oversee development of project data capture and storage process, and guidance documents for the use of PMO systems. 
• Governance. Provide support to the organisation and operation of governance boards supported by the PMO. 
• Training. Organise regular meetings, workshops and training for the Project Leads on use of the portfolio tools and capturing and maintaining data quality and accuracy. Identify and report on issues with this. 

Essential:

• A passion for data and engaging with people!
• Strong knowledge of the project delivery lifecycle and project management processes, ideally within a building/construction environment.
• A meticulous and detail-oriented approach to capturing and recording data to ensure accuracy and quality. Coupled with an analytical mindset, able to spot inconsistencies and provide challenge to those providing the data. 
• Strong collaboration skills to work closely with project leads, PMO developers, and other team members in multidisciplinary projects. Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills.
• The ability to communicate concisely and clearly both written and verbally, with a wide range of business stakeholders. Have credibility and be able to explain technical solutions to a non-technical audience. 
• Excellent IT skills, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint with the ability quickly to learn new packages as required. A good understanding of using PowerBI is important, as are very strong Excel skills to understand and operate the PMO systems. 
• Experience of organising meetings, events or other activities, and providing support to governance boards. 
• Strong ability to work independently and plan and manage delivery of own and wider PMO outputs. 
• A proactive “can do” problem-solving approach to address system challenges and the ability to adapt to changing requirements, business priorities, and technological advancements.
• Must have prior experience working as part of a large programme or portfolio team, or in a PMO. Ideally will have some project/programme management or PMO qualification. 

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

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, FCDO guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant 

FCDO guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".