Defence Digital Project Support Officer
APPLY NOW: Search 'Job title' or 'reference number' on Civil Service Jobs and click to APPLY
APPLY HERE: Defence Digital Project Support Officer
-
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 30th June 2025
- Location: MOD Corsham, Westwells Road, Corsham, SN13 9NR,
- Salary: £44,590
- Reference number: 412117
Defence Digital ensures our Armed Forces remain among the most technologically advanced in the world. We do this by putting innovative and effective technology into the hands of over 200,000 users, from the boardroom to the front line.
We lead on cutting-edge data science, automation, and cybersecurity at scale. Our mission goes beyond the battlefield by leading humanitarian efforts and driving digital innovation that impacts lives across the globe.
Defence Digital forms part of Strategic Command which manages the MOD’s joint capabilities for the Army, RAF, and Royal Navy.
Watch our video to see what we do at Defence Digital!
Passionate about using your skills to make a critical difference? Your next career move could be here!
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job description
Are you ready to lead high-impact programmes that drive real business transformation?
We’re looking for a dynamic and strategic Project Support Officer cover a diverse range of activities to support the delivery of the project’s objectives. You will enable the smooth running of the project by supporting the Project Manager through the operation of Project Management processes, and the co-ordination of Business Management actions and activities on their behalf.
Our work is varied, interesting and most importantly it's impactful. You’ll bring structure and clarity to complex programmes, applying best-in-class project management practices across risk and issue management, reporting, dependency tracking, planning, and change control.
Responsibilities:
- Manage and engage with a wide rate of internal and external stakeholders.
- Identifying, developing and deploying resources and manage workforce planning, providing information for effective decision making.
- Manage project controls, reporting upwards about the project status and develop project performance reports.
- Ensure systems are in place to enable effective planning and scheduling.
- Proactively manage risks and issues, including those of a strategic or politically sensitive nature, with timely reporting and escalation through appropriate channels.
- Collaborate with project leads and the Benefits Manager to identify, monitor, and realise the benefits outlined in the business case.
- Lead the planning and design of the programme, maintaining oversight of progress and performance through established governance structures.
- Map and manage programme dependencies, assigning clear ownership and integrating dependency tracking into the governance cycle.
You will lead planning, scheduling, and estimation activities to ensure realistic timelines and effective resource allocation, while also preparing and approving official correspondence as needed.
Person specification
We are a friendly, diverse, and inclusive team of energetic and creative individuals and welcome those who can bring their talents and fresh perspectives to the team. You will work to provide assurance that projects are being delivered with a focus on performance, cost, and time across the programme.
You're someone who builds strong, confident relationships with stakeholders and collaborates with ease across teams. You excel under pressure, staying focused on what matters most—delivering results. Your attention to detail and drive for quality ensure that every piece of work meets the highest standards, even in the most demanding situations.
When submitting your CV, please highlight your career history and experience relevant to this role. Additionally, refer to the "Things You Need to Know" section of the advert and provide a personal statement (max. 1250 words) demonstrating the essential criteria listed below:
- Proven experience of managing project controls and performance reporting.
- Proven experience in engaging, and communicating effectively across teams, including collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver in dynamic, high-pressure environments while effectively managing multiple priorities.
While it is a requirement for our Project Support Officers to hold a Practitioner-level qualification—such as PRINCE2 Practitioner or APM Project Management Qualification (or equivalent)—please don’t worry if you don’t currently have one. There will be an opportunity to gain this qualification within the first six months of being in post.
If you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and are passionate about delivering meaningful change, we’d love to hear from you!
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Risk and Issue Management
- Scheduling
Benefits
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- 25 days annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
- Ability to roll over up to 10 days annual leave per year
- In addition to 8 public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The King's birthday
- Minimum of 15 Days Special Leave in a rolling 12-month period to for volunteer military or emergency service reserve commitments
- Special Paid Leave for volunteering up to 6 days a year
- Enhanced parental and adoption leave
- Employee Assistance Programme to support your well-being
- Most sites have good travel links with free car parking; many also have other facilities such as a Sports & Social Club and Gyms
- A pension contribution of 28.97% based on the listed salary
- Please see Benefits link for more info: Civilian Discover My Benefits (mod.gov.uk)
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD 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 Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Equality and Diversity
Our people are at the heart of everything we do at Defence Digital. It’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our audience and the wider society in the UK, so we’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities. We also recognise the importance of a good work life balance, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including part-time and job shares for all our roles. Please let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process if this is something you want to explore.
Professional Framework Statement
Defence Digital operates an organisation model in which every individual belongs to a Government Profession. The successful applicant will be posted into one of the defined Government Professions on Standard Terms of Reference for the grade. Defence Digital reserves the right to move individuals between roles, within their allocated profession, to meet the needs of the business and in support of agile resourcing. Within Defence Digital each profession is led by a Professional Head of Community who will lead professional development and support the Continuous Professional Development path for their group.
Learning & Development
In Defence Digital we have a strong learning and development ethos, supporting you to fulfil your potential by providing:
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- Professional and Personal Development of skills
- Access to thousands of training courses through Civil Service Learning, some free or paid by MOD
- Ability to obtain industry recognised qualifications supported by MOD
Hybrid Working
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
To apply, please complete the CV template provided on the Civil Service Jobs dashboard, ensuring it clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification. You must also submit a personal statement (maximum 1,250 words) providing evidence of how you meet these criteria.
Below is a link to a video offering helpful tips and guidance on the Civil Service Jobs application process:
Watch: How to apply on CS Jobs: Guide and Tips
AI Usage in Job Applications
We encourage the use of technology to streamline the job application process. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be helpful in generating ideas, improving writing style, and increasing efficiency. However, it is essential that any content submitted as part of a job application is truthful, accurate, and a genuine reflection of the applicant’s qualifications and experiences. Any use of AI should be supplementary to your own knowledge and abilities. Ultimately, the application should demonstrate your unique skills and suitability for the role.
We’ll assess you against these Behaviours and Technical Skills during the interview process:
Behaviours:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Technical Skills:
- Risk and Issue Management
- Scheduling
For further information on the roles and duties of a Project Support Officer, please refer to the Project Delivery Capability Framework: Project Delivery Capability Framework - GOV.UK
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk.
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.
Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities. Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions.
If you are invited for an interview, it will be held on site, in-person at MOD Corsham, Westwells Road, Corsham, SN13 9NR. We will try and offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for interviews or assessments.
The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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)
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).
- Name :Defence Digital Talent Acquisition Team
- Email :UKStratComDD-HR-TalentAcqDel@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email :DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
Further information
info@csc.gov.uk.
We are proud supporters of Women in Data®. Connect, engage and belong to the largest free female data community in the UK – visit: www.womenindata.co.uk to join our community.
“Stay connected! Follow us on LinkedIn for updates on career opportunities and more.”
APPLY NOW: Search 'Job title' or 'reference number' on Civil Service Jobs and click to APPLY'
APPLY HERE: Defence Digital Project Support Officer