Apprentice Digital Project Support Officer

Department for Education

Job summary:

We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates  

At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.

Equality and Diversity - Department for Education

We have an inclusive environment at STA, we are committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues. We strive for an inclusive and respectful environment where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. An environment that reflects the diversity of the society we serve.

We want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us and we offer a range of flexible working patterns and support to make a fulfilling career at DfE accessible to you.

Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.

We provide people with the opportunity to work at pace and deliver in stretching roles. You will learn a lot in your day-to-day role, but we also provide excellent wider learning and development opportunities.

We are looking for the right candidate to join us to support the programmes and projects within the STA Digital programme. The Assessment, Research, Data and Delivery Division (ARDD) is a part of the Standards and Testing agency, which is an executive agency for the Department for Education. The ARDD division are responsible for the development of National Curriculum Assessments, transformational project delivery and development and delivery of digital assessments. This role is part of the Digital team within the ARDD division. The role will offer an excellent opportunity to hone and develop your project delivery skills within DfE's Project and Programme Management Community to support career development and digital skills.

The role will be varied, and the candidate must be flexible and open to changing and competing requirements. Your work will support the project and programme teams, but will focus on supporting the governance, assurance, planning and reporting activities.

As an apprentice Project support officer, you will be responsible for a diverse range of activities to support the delivery of project objectives. You will enable the smooth running of the project by supporting the project manager(s) through the operation of project management processes, and the co-ordination of and activities on their behalf. You will be expected to assist with effective communication between project management and the business, to maintain central project records and assist with project reporting.

As this role includes completion of the Business Administration Apprenticeship (Level 3) please check the eligibility requirements below using the apprenticeship standard: Business administrator / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

• You must have lived in the UK for 3 years prior to apprenticeship start date and not be undertaking another apprenticeship at the same time.
• You must not already have a substantial amount of the skills and knowledge that is covered in the contents of the apprenticeship standard.
• You must not have already worked in a similar role, or your previous learning, and/or work experience covers the contents (Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours) of the apprenticeship standard.

Please do not apply if:

• You already have all the skills and knowledge that is covered in the contents of the apprenticeship standard.
• You have already worked in a similar role, or your previous learning, and/or work experience covers the contents (Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours) of the apprenticeship standard.
• You have a degree (or equivalent) in Business Administration.
• Part of this apprenticeship is to complete a level 2 English and maths functional skills qualification. If you have already achieved GCSEs in English and maths at Level 4 (grade C) or equivalent or a higher grade, you will not need to complete the functional skills qualification.

At the enrolment stage, the individual's eligibility will be checked by the training provider.

Job description

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will play a key role in building upon the existing delivery within the division and supporting the development of new strands of work. You will support the scoping, initiation, delivery, implementation, and administration, of projects within the portfolio. It is expected that you will work creatively and collaboratively demonstrating teamwork, innovation and excellence.

You will be responsible for:

• Planning– Ensure systems are in place to enable effective planning.
• Governance - support effective governance and decision making and draft terms of reference for governing forums.
• Admin – Ensure organisational tasks are carried out efficiently.
• Monitoring and reporting – Support the management of project controls, reporting on the project status. Collate project performance reports. Assist with the production of a project benefits realisation plan.
• Assist with the tracking of benefits.
• Stakeholders – Engage with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and support user research activities.
• Financial control – Contribute to the control of budgets.
• Contributing to the production of project business case.
• Risks and Issues – Updating a risk register and issues log. Working with risk owners to detail mitigating actions, obtain risk level updates.
• Configuration management - name, control and track project documents Guidance and Support - Seek appropriate support, guidance and coaching from the project community.
• Show commitment to personal development. Promote effective individual and team performance.

Person specification:

Essential criteria:

• Possess the skills to resolve problems and ensure that the project remains on track
• Ability to support teams on a variety of administrative tasks
• Ability to network and build relationships with stakeholders of all level
• Effective communication skills Microsoft Office suite skills (O365, Word, PowerPoint and Excel, verbal (phones)
• Willingness to take responsibility for areas of work including stakeholder engagements

Desirable past experience for the role:

• Experience in a supporting project delivery or of working in a programme management office.
• Commitment to personal learning and development.
• Experience working as part of a diverse and inclusive team.

Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.

Benefits:

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King's Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours. 

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances, but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role. 

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.

As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities

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