Governance and Assurance Support

We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.
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 D&I Strategy.
Find Out More, The Matrix Programme is a transformation initiative involving 9 Departments (listed at end). It is a unique cross-government collaboration that will unlock simpler, better, and more joined up working by bringing together the systems, processes, and ways of working for key government functions such as HR, Finance or Procurement, commonly known as Shared Services.
The Programme is part of the Shared Services Team, a fantastic team passionate about improving the existing shared services experience for DSIT and its partners whilst working to deliver the strategic objectives of the new Government Shared Services Strategy!
We will deliver the Government's three overarching objectives for shared services:
1. Better experience for all users - intuitive systems that are easy to use and mobile-enabled.
2. Efficiency and value for money - better systems and services which support productivity and seek to reduce costs.
3. Standardised processes and data - support interoperability, making it easier to understand and compare corporate data.
Departments forming the Matrix Programme: Cabinet Office (CO), Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS), Department for Business Trade (DBT), Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Department for Education (DfE), Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), Attorney’s General Office (AGO) and His Majesty's Treasury (HMT)., The role of the Governance and Assurance Support covers a diverse range of activities to support the delivery of the programme’s objectives. The Governance and Assurance Support enables the smooth running of the programme by providing support through the operation of project management processes, and the co-ordination of business management actions and activities.
This role provides support and insight to the programme and acts as the source of all project/programme information. You will have a confirmed background in PPM methods with an eye for detail to make sure things happen when needed. You will need excellent interpersonal skills for presenting updates to different audiences.
If you thrive in periods of transformation, then this is an exciting opportunity for you!, • Monitoring and reporting – Establish and maintain project/programme controls, keeping senior roles aware of project/programme status.
• Admin – Ensure organisational tasks are carried out efficiently. Manage and monitor compliance with Departmental Security, Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity, Business Continuity and Business Planning. Provide support in recruitment and onboarding (i.e. planning, IT requests, staff passes, etc.)
• Stakeholder – Manage professional relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, and act as lead point of contact for some external parties.
• Application of Assurance Standards – Responsible for supporting the Assurance Manager in ensuring the programme, projects or activities have appropriate levels of assurance. Following local guidance on types of assurance activities and recording them in management documents as required.
• Planning – Working alongside an Assurance Manager to integrate planned assurance activities throughout the lifecycle of the programme. Ensure all management documents are updated and available for reviews.
• Governance – Liaison with senior roles to draft board agendas, keep log of board decisions and review outcomes to collectively implement identified actions/solutions.
• Reporting – Ensure corporate reporting requirements are met. Ensure the programme reporting process feeds into Board, working with workstream leads and the Reporting Lead within the Programme Management Office.
• Undertake any other grade appropriate tasks to assist the PMO Lead and the wider programme team., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Working Together
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Governance
+ Assurance, This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, behavioural statements and personal statement.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please use your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) to address the Essential criteria for the role.
Applications will be sifted on behavioural statements, CV, and personal statement.
In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead behavioural statement (Delivering at Pace).
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
The interview will consist of behaviour, technical and strength-based questions.
Sift and interview dates
Expected Timeline subject to change
Sift dates: w/c 14/10/2024
Interview dates: w/c 21/10/2024
Interview Location: MS Teams.
Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.
Further Information
National: £31,745 - £34,280; (pro rata for part-time working) Project Delivery Allowance - £1570 - Subject to proof of a relevant Project Delivery qualification see Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/project-delivery-capability-framework-for-civil-servants
Reasonable Adjustment
We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.
Information about the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and some examples of adjustments that we offer to disabled candidates and candidates with long-term health conditions during our recruitment process can be found in our DSIT Candidate Guidance. A DSIT Plain Text Version of the guidance is also available.
We encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
A location-based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
Any move to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
DSIT does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home).
DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign.
DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland 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.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
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.
Feedback
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).

Apply and further information
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.

• Effective communication and engagement skills – the PMO supports a wide range of activities, building and maintaining relationships with colleagues at all levels, offering constructive challenge when required
• Prioritisation skills – the ability to manage multiple work activities and to change priorities quickly as required.
• Background in a Programme/Project environment; particularly in Assurance.
• Applicants will ideally have experience of working in a shared service environment, but this is not essential to the role.
• Previous involvement in a PMO, Corporate Services, particularly HR, Finance, Procurement or Digital would be useful but is not a requirement.
Desirable criteria
It would be desirable to hold one of the following qualifications:
APM Project Fundamentals
APM Project Management Qualification

At DSIT we’re all about improving people’s lives by maximising the potential of science & technology.
We accelerate innovation, investment and productivity through world-class science, research and development.
We use technology for good by ensuring new and existing technologies are safely developed and deployed across the UK, with the benefits more widely shared.
We are driving forward a modern digital government which gives citizens a more satisfying experience and their time back.
We do all this to enable the Government’s 5 national missions: kickstarting economic growth, making Britain a clean energy superpower, taking back our streets, breaking down barriers to opportunity and building an NHS fit for the future.
Above all, we focus on improving people’s lives. Whether it’s researching new treatments for disease, developing better batteries, reducing burdens through better public services, keeping children safe online, and much more, outcomes for citizens are at the heart of what we do.
Our Inclusive Environment

Alongside your salary of £31,745, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £9,196 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology offers a competitive mix of benefits including:
+ A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
+ Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
+ A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
+ An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
+ Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
Office attendance
The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home-based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period.