The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government. We are responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government.
Our priorities are to drive a modern digital government, by:
- joining up public sector services
- harnessing the power of AI for the public good
- strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure
- elevating leadership and investing in talent
- funding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovation
- committing to transparency and driving accountability
We are home to the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (I.AI), the world-leading GOV.UK and at the forefront of coordinating the UK’s geospatial strategy and activity. We lead the Government Digital and Data function and champion the work of digital teams across government.
We’re part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and employ more than 1,000 people all over the UK, with hubs in Manchester, London and Bristol.
The Government Digital Service is where talent translates into impact. From your first day, you’ll be working with some of the world’s most highly-skilled digital professionals, all contributing their knowledge to make change on a national scale.
Join us for rewarding work that makes a difference across the UK. You'll solve some of the nation’s highest-priority digital challenges, helping millions of people access services they need.
Job overview
Public sector data has the potential to radically transform people’s lives through boosting economic growth, underpinning groundbreaking research, improving the delivery of public services and fuelling cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) development and applications across the economy.
The Government Digital Service aims to maximise the use and impact of public sector data, enabling businesses, academia, and the public sector to drive economic growth, innovation, and better public services, investing over £100m across the next three years.
You will be joining the Office of the Chief Data Officer Portfolio Management team at an exciting time. We have launched 5 Kickstarter projects that aim to deliver high value use cases while testing innovative ways to address challenges related to data access. We are also beginning longer term work to shape the future of data sharing infrastructure to improve the lives of people across the UK. We need great people to make that happen.
As a Junior Digital Portfolio Analyst, you will be part of the Office of the Chief Data Officer Portfolio Management team . The PMO team consists of Government Digital and Data Professionals, primarily in the Delivery Manager and Digital Portfolio Manager job roles, however as part of this team you will work closely with delivery teams across the GDS with a breath of roles across the profession. You will be supported in your career development and have the opportunity to move laterally across GDS and widen your knowledge across multiple disciplines.
Main responsibilities
- Support the effective management of risks and issues across the portfolio of digital programmes/projects, identifying, mitigating, and escalating as appropriate to safeguard delivery outcomes.
- Support the planning and schedule delivery activities via a roadmap or plan on a page, maintaining project plans, timelines, and supporting change control processes.
- Act as advocate for PMO functions across the business, promoting the PMO and associated best practice within the business and the wider DSIT.
- Identify, develop and share best practice on processes, tools and templates and support with its implementation and roll out to other teams.
- Monitor and report delivery progress on all portfolio items and produce performance reports against milestones and outcomes.
- Support governance and assurance and help teams to follow governance and delivery processes
- Produce key documentation and reports, including briefing papers, planning data, and governance materials to support programme performance and accountability.
- support the prioritisation of a group of projects and programmes
- support more senior portfolio managers and leadership in making improvements.
Person specification
We are looking for:
- foundational understanding of different project delivery methods—such as Waterfall, Agile, and Hybrid—and an interest in learning how to apply the right approach to the right task
- an adaptable communicator who can translate analysis into clear insights for both technical and non-technical colleagues, choosing the right format to help the team make informed decisions
- foundational experience within project, programme, or portfolio environments, including an understanding of delivery essentials such as RAID management, planning, and change control
- a methodical approach to work, with an appreciation for how planning and forecasting help teams stay on track. You understand that there are different ways to build a plan and are keen to learn which tools work best for different tasks
- the ability to map out project stakeholders and provide them with tailored, evidence-led communications. You focus on building rapport and use logic and insights to explain decisions and help the team reach a consensus
- the ability to assist in an administrative capacity to keep strategic planning organized—from coordinating meetings to preparing documentation.
Benefits
There are many benefits of working at GDS, including:
- flexible hybrid working with flexi-time and the option to work part-time or condensed hours
- a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
- 25 days of annual leave, increasing by a day each year up to a maximum of 30 days
- an extra day off for the King’s birthday
- an in-year bonus scheme to recognise high performance
- career progression and coaching, including a training budget for personal development
- a focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme
- job satisfaction from making government services easier to use and more inclusive for people across the UK
- advances on pay, including for travel season tickets
- death in service benefits
- cycle to work scheme and facilities
- access to an employee discounts scheme
- 10 learning days per year
- volunteering opportunities (5 special leave days per year)
- access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learning.
Any move to Government Digital Service 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.
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. 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).
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience.
Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
The standard selection process for roles at GDS consists of:
- a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV and cover letter of up to 750 words and for you to answer one application question. Important tip - please ensure that your cover letter includes how you meet the skills and experience listed in the “person specification” section above
- a 45 Minute video interview
Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the video interview, for example a phone interview or a technical exercise.
In the event we receive a high volume of applications, we will conduct the initial sift against the lead criteria which is: Please tell us about a time where you have had to implement a new process, or change. How did you approach this, and what challenges did you face?
In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.
For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours:
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
We’ll also be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Government Digital and Data Capability Framework for the Digital Portfolio Analyst (HEO) role:
- Communicating analysis and insight
- Governance and assurance
- Stakeholder relationship management
- Planning
Recruitment Timeline
- Sift completion: Week Commencing 22nd June
- Panel interviews: Starting from 2nd July
Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.
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.
Sponsorship
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.
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.
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.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact
Recruitment team
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact [email protected] in the first instance.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission by email: [email protected], or in writing: Civil Service Commission, Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ.
