Project Manager

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)

Operations
Lowestoft, UK · Weymouth, UK
Posted 6+ months ago

Contents

Lowestoft, Weymouth

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Strategy & Delivery Directorate at The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science. Our work contributes to the efforts of the UK Government in addressing serious global problems of climate change, biodiversity loss and food security, in support of national and international commitments to promote a sustainable and resilient global recovery.

We are seeking applicants for the role of Project Manager to work with us in the delivery of marine and freshwater science-based projects, with a primary focus on the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP).

The successful applicant will work alongside the current OCPP Project Management team in a dynamic, fast paced environment. You will deliver a full range of project functions such as establishing Country plans, travel planning, procurement, contractor management and staff resources, risks and issues, project dependencies and the transition between project phases to deliver tangible project outputs to the satisfaction of the customer and in line with our governance framework.

You will also manage internal and external relationships to ensure project outcomes are delivered. Our work varies, so you will need to be a great communicator, adapting your style to suit a wide range of situations and stakeholders in a conscientious, positive and inclusive way.

At Cefas, we strive to have a work environment that’s inclusive as well as diverse, where we can all be ourselves. We value every idea and perspective, and we encourage applications from all qualified candidates.

You will receive a comprehensive induction to our organisation and will be supported by a mentor, working on real projects that bring our values to life. On the job training and professional development will be provided to enable you to contribute fully to the organisation.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Welcome to Cefas (youtube.com)

Job description

Your main duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

As a Project Manager, you will drive the delivery of a number of key activities aligned with our organisational strategic priorities:

Influencing Decisions – Enhancing Cefas’ role as a trusted global authority.

End to end project delivery, taking ownership of project outcomes working within an agreed governance structure.

Defining the resources and skills required to deliver project outcomes, providing appropriate support and challenge around the details of planned delivery activities

Ambitious for each other – Enabling our people to thrive together, delivering safely wherever we work.

Ensuring there is a significant health and safety focus of the delivery of projects in different environments (e.g. fieldwork, overseas, laboratories). Identifying risks, issues and opportunities for improvement.

Working Together – Enhance partnerships and community engagements to collaborate and build collective understanding.

Ensuring the customer is satisfied with the project deliverables and any issues are resolved. Achieving the desired outcomes within project timelines and agreed budgets.

Promoting and supporting a positive work environment in which people feel valued, listened to, empowered, and trusted.

In addition, Cefas reserves the right to ask staff to take on additional duties and responsibilities which are commensurate with their grade. Team Leaders and management will have a discussion with staff to explain the changes that are to be made. A new job description will be issued if required.

Person specification

The following are essential criteria required for this role and you must be able to demonstrate your skills and experience in the following areas:

  • Proven track record in Project Management, preferably from successfully delivering a broad range of customer facing projects.
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills, both verbal and written with an ability to engage teams and stakeholders.
  • Ability to work under pressure and be able to organise yourself and delivery teams to meet face-paced deadlines.
  • You must also be able to demonstrate effective decision making and evidence team working.

Behaviours

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

  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Delivering at Pace

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

  • Managing a Quality Service
Alongside your salary of £31,825, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science contributes £8,592 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
  • Generous annual leave entitlement - Cefas offers 25 days' annul leave on entry (rising to 30 days over first 5yrs) for full-time new entrants to the Civil Service. Employees receive 8 public holidays a year, plus an additional day to mark the late Queen's birthday
  • Access to learning and development tailored to your role
  • A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options
  • A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
  • Eligible to join the Civil Service Pension scheme - more information can be found on the CSP website Home - Civil Service Pension Scheme
  • Staff recognition vouchers
  • In-year award scheme

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Application Process
As part of the application process you are asked to provide a CV (job history, qualifications, past skills and experience), a 750-word personal statement on how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification section, and a 250-word statement on how you meet the advertised lead behaviour – Managing a Quality Service.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

  • For guidance on Civil Service Success Profiles, this video tells you what you’ll need to provide throughout the assessment process with supporting guidance on each step. Link – Success Profiles - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
  • For guidance on how to construct your CV, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link - CV
  • For guidance on how to construct your personal statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link – Statement
  • For guidance on how to construct your lead behaviour statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link – Behaviours

Sift

The sift panel will use the information in your CV and personal statement to assess your experience and how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification section. The sift panel will also assess the lead behaviour statement.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour – Managing a Quality Service . Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or, progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Interview schedule and details will be confirmed on release of the sift results.

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the Behaviours, your Experience and your Strengths. You may also be required to give a presentation or to complete an exercise as part of the interview process. You will receive further information with your invitation.

Please be aware that interviews will take place remotely.

If scores are equal following interview, an assessment of the lead behaviour – Managing a Quality Service will be used by the panel.

A date has not yet been confirmed for the interviews to take place.

Location

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s)

Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

Please be aware that this role will be contractually based at Lowestoft or Weymouth. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Successful candidates are expected to work from one of the laboratory or office locations listed in this advert in order to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business needs.

Reserve List

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

Salary

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

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

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 defrarecruitment.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.

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.

Criminal Record Check

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

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 circumstances 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.

Internal Fraud Database Check

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 government.

Childcare Vouchers

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



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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
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.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
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 : Clare Avieson
  • Email : clare.avieson@cefas.gov.uk

Recruitment team

  • Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact:
Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/ to visit Civil Service Commission.