Programme Office Support Manager, Ministry of Justice, UK – Visa Sponsorship Available

The Ministry of Justice is seeking a Programme Office Support Manager for a full-time, 2-year role in the UK, offering a significant opportunity to contribute to probation services. This position is ideal for Nigerian and African immigrants with project support experience, as visa/skilled worker sponsorship is explicitly available for foreign applicants. The role offers a competitive salary range of £37,417 - £44,432, depending on location, alongside attractive Civil Service benefits.

Job Description

This is a crucial project support role within the Service Centre expansion programme, providing a unique chance to contribute to a major transformation across probation services. The successful candidate will deliver practical and structured support to the Programme, with a primary focus on driving the recruitment and training strategy essential for building Service Centre capability and capacity.

You will work closely with programme leads, regional colleagues, and key stakeholders to support the planning, coordination, and tracking of activities related to transferring service lines into the Service Centre. This includes maintaining clear plans, actions, and governance products, assisting with recruitment and onboarding, and coordinating training plans to ensure staff are well-prepared to deliver new and transferring services effectively.

Requirements

• Proven experience in managing project life cycles or project delivery.
• A project management qualification or a willingness to undertake necessary training.
• Competence in using MS Office products, especially MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Project.
• Strong organisational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work at pace across recruitment, training, service transition, and wider programme delivery.
• Eligibility to work in the UK, with visa sponsorship available for international applicants.

Benefits

• Competitive national salary range of £37,417 - £39,214, or London salary range of £40,693 - £44,432.
• Generous annual leave and 9 days of bank, public, and privilege holidays.
• Choice of two Civil Service pension schemes.
• Opportunities for flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working (60% office-based expectation).
• Access to a season ticket advance after two months of service.
• Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including promotion programmes.

How to Prepare

For this Programme Office Support Manager role, Nigerian and African immigrants should focus on showcasing their project management and administrative prowess. Ensure your CV highlights experience with project lifecycles, MS Office Suite, and any project management qualifications. A well-crafted cover letter should articulate your understanding of the UK Civil Service environment and how your skills align with supporting large-scale programmes, especially in recruitment and training coordination.

Prepare for the interview by researching the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS, understanding their mission and current initiatives. Be ready to discuss your experience in managing project documentation, supporting recruitment drives, and coordinating training logistics. Crucially, explicitly mention your need for visa sponsorship during the application or interview stage, confirming your understanding of the UK immigration process and your commitment to securing the necessary Skilled Worker visa.

• Ensure your CV is polished, in a UK format, and clearly details your project management and administrative experience.
• Prepare a compelling cover letter that addresses the job description and your suitability, including your interest in working within the UK public sector.
• Brush up on your knowledge of project management methodologies and tools, as well as recruitment and training coordination processes.
• Practice answering behavioural questions related to 'Delivering at Pace', 'Making Effective Decisions', 'Managing a Quality Service', and 'Working Together'.
• Be prepared to discuss your visa sponsorship needs confidently and professionally, demonstrating your awareness of the requirements.

Visa Sponsorship & Foreigner Eligibility

Visa / Skilled Worker (Tier 2) sponsorship is explicitly available for this Programme Office Support Manager position. This means the role is open to foreign and overseas applicants who require a UK work visa. If your immigration status is complex or borderline, it is always advisable to clearly state your current situation and sponsorship needs during your application to ensure full transparency.