PMO Adviser (Assurance)

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.

We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.  

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.  Further information about the University can be found here . 

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Durham University

The Role and Department

Durham University has an ambitious strategy that will build on our world-leading research, education, and wider student experience. Over the coming years we will be investing in our people, estate, and IT infrastructure to ensure that we remain one of the World’s great universities.
The Strategy Delivery Unit is focussed on co-ordinating and facilitating the implementation of the University’s ambitious strategic plans. The Portfolio Management Office (PMO) sits within this unit and its purpose is to ensure that the University’s investment in change is aligned to its strategy whilst defining and maintaining the standards of programme and project management. The PMO Adviser (Assurance) will work within the Portfolio Management Office.

The purpose of the role is primarily to help projects and programmes review their progress to provide stakeholders with confidence that they are on track to achieve their objectives. This includes helping projects plan their assurance requirements as well as using appropriate tools and techniques to deliver assurance activity at key project milestones and gateways. 

The post holder will also contribute to development and delivery of the wider PMO work programme and development roadmap, ensuring the alignment between project and programme outcomes and strategic aims to increase the success of change. The role will help build the institution’s understanding and capabilities in assurance and wider portfolio, programme and portfolio management, providing hands-on support and advice to project teams and contributing to the development of methodologies and tools. The post holder will work across the University and will liaise with programme and project offices embedded in other professional service departments. 

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham 

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 

•    30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.  
•    The University closes between Christmas and New Year
•    We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled  into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
•    There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. 
•    Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
•    On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
•    Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
•    The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
•    Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. 
•    A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. 
•    If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here .

Durham University is committed to equality,  diversity and inclusion 

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification  
  
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.  Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.    
  
Your application should cover the following criteria:  

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience
1.    Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
2.    Professional practitioner with knowledge and expertise in the delivery and development of project management and assurance within the organisation.
3.    Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting change and service improvements. 
4.    Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
5.    Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University’s reputation.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
6.    Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
7.    Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications and business systems.
8.    Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
9.    Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
10.    Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.  
   
   
Desirable Criteria

11.    Recognised formal project management, assurance or audit qualification(s)  
12.    Experience of planning and delivering assurance for large and complex projects in a complex organisation with multiple stakeholders.

How to Apply   

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.   
  
Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
  
What you need to submit   

•    A CV: and   
•    A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.    

Contact details   
  
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Suze Clarke, [email protected]  

Typical Role Requirements

   
Service Delivery/Development
•    Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
•    Manage the delivery of project assurance and/ P3M (project, programme and portfolio management) across the University to a high standard.
•    Review and look for ways to improve systems and procedures that are relevant to your area of work in line with the University’s frameworks and regulations. This includes implementing changes to the design and development of P3M processes, techniques and deliverables for one or more service strands.
•    Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to your professional area of expertise, in line with the University’s policies, regulations and values.
•    Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from staff and others who you work with and contribute to ideas and service improvements.
•    Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpreting and analysing complex data and information sources.
•    Look for ways to improve project assurance activities and techniques across all areas of your work.
•    Maintain awareness of the external environment and sector best practice to support high quality services. 
•    Identify any learning needs that should be met by the service and design activities and arrange any training.
•    Maintain an awareness of current policy for University business goals such as widening participation and Access, and provision of advice using specialist knowledge.
•    Maintain records and manage data in accordance to PMO and University policies and processes.

Planning and Organisation
•    Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services that are provided by the Strategy Delivery Unit.
•    Contribute to progressing the strategic and operational priorities of your department, including contributing to the delivery of operational and development activities across the Portfolio Management Office.
•    Seek feedback from key stakeholders so that the service is being adapted to meet customer expectations and to plan future requirements, including making necessary adjustments to the design and planning of project assurance.
•    Analyse data on the level of service being provided and provide reports to the PMO Senior Manager, making recommendations for future improvement.
•    Meet the development needs of your stakeholders, providing training when required. This includes support capability building for stakeholders on P3M including project assurance activities (e.g. gateway reviews).
•    Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.
•    Provide support to project initiation, planning, implementation and reporting for large scale/University wide initiatives, including specific support for assurance activities.

Communication/Liaison

•    Provide advice and share guidance with your stakeholders to ensure that the University’s policies, procedures and regulations are complied with. This includes distributing service information to stakeholders regarding assurance, compliance and regulations of P3M.
•    Provide proactive and comprehensive input and support to the PMO Senior Manager and Director of the Strategy Delivery Unit to achieve strategic and operational priorities.
•    Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
•    Coordinate and organise committees and other business meetings and deal with any related complaints.
•    Update policies and procedures in response to any internal or external changes, including updated regulations.
•    Use your expertise to provide training or guidance to other stakeholders.
•    Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.

•    Any other reasonable duties.

  
  
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University  which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.   

 
MATERNITY COVER 
Appointment to this post is fixed term to cover the substantive post holder’s maternity leave and is not anticipated to be extended, though the post will help inform future requirements in this area. 

SECONDMENT
The post is full time, fixed term for a 12 month period and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.