About us
“A project can’t be delivered by just one person. We need to build strong, flexible, professional and capable teams.” - Nick Smallwood (Head of Project Delivery Function)
What is the Government Project Delivery Function?
The Government Project Delivery Function is the organisation of people in government departments and arm’s length bodies who advise on, lead and manage project development and delivery.
The function operates on a distributed basis, with project delivery led and managed within individual departments or in their arms’ length bodies and services, with leadership and support from departmental Chief Project Delivery Officers (CPDOs) and their delivery teams.
The Chief Executive of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority is the Government Head of Function and has ‘dotted line’ oversight of the work of departmental CPDOs. The function is governed through the Projects Council, which is attended by CPDOs and chaired by the Government Head of Function.
Over 26,000 civil servants, and many others in the wider public sector, work together in the Government Project Delivery Function to deliver the government’s priorities. The function brings together the work of people from many professions - policy and operations, digital, science and engineering, commercial and property, analysis, finance, HR and others - as well as project delivery professionals.
The work of the function delivers government priorities by:
- setting up, developing, delivering and assuring projects, programmes and portfolios, whether directly or through other delivery partners
- setting strategies and standards
- building capability and driving continuous improvement
- giving expert advice and support
The function also plays an important role as the voice of government on project and infrastructure delivery, and through our work to support capability-building nationally and internationally.
What is the Government Project Delivery Profession?
The Government Project Delivery Profession works collaboratively across government to develop the capability of people with professional skills, knowledge and expertise in government project delivery, and build a thriving professional community.
Around 16,000 people identify project delivery as their primary profession. The profession forms a key part of the function, with leadership provided by Heads of Profession, working alongside CPDOs in departments, and by the Government Head of Profession, who sits in the IPA.
Working in Project Delivery
Our mission is to attract and retain the best individuals: provide a rewarding career, support continuous professional development and shape our community that you can all feel inspired by. You can learn more about our latest recruitment campaigns on the Civil Service Careers Website, and find opportunities to join our continually evolving cross-government community.
Project Delivery Career Pathways
We’ve developed and continue to oversee the Project Delivery Capability Framework. It’s been created to support the development of all project delivery professionals in government. It contains 3 main elements: ‘career pathways’ that set out job roles in the profession, technical and behavioural competencies aligned to these roles and a section to help you find the right development for you.
Learning and Development
We’re focused on increasing and improving our learning offer for everyone working in project delivery. We aim for you to have:
- Access to development opportunities, regardless of location, department or role.
- A balance between classroom based, online and practical peer to peer learning.
- The skills, knowledge and experience you need to deliver projects and programmes in the most efficient and effective way possible.
- A satisfying, rewarding and diverse career.
- The chance to contribute to making the UK Civil Service the best performing project system in the world.
Leadership Programmes
We offer a number of world class development programmes to support the growth of Project Delivery leadership skills.
Major Projects Leadership Academy (MPLA)
Delivered by Oxford Said Business School (OSBS), the MPLA supports Senior Civil Servants leading the most complex government projects to develop their skills as major project leaders. The programme offers the opportunity to accelerate personal and professional development. Through world class academic content and access to a network of colleagues and alumni who provide real world insights participants are equipped with the expertise they need to understand why projects fail and what they can do to lead them to success.
Project Leadership Programme (PLP)
PLP is an Association for Project Management (APM) accredited programme, delivered by Cranfield University School of Management, PA Consulting and The Project Academy. The aim of the programme is to develop project leadership skills across the public sector by providing project leaders with an understanding of expert academic theory combined with practical hands-on learning supported by coaching.
Orchestrating Major Projects (OMP)
OMP is also delivered by OSBS and it targeted at our most senior leaders and decision makers. Those who influence the wider project operating environment and lead portfolios of change. During the programme participants gain insights to help them to make tough strategic decisions about their portfolios and to enable project success.
For more information or to request a brochure please email (mpla@ipa.gov.uk)
Fast Stream and Apprentices
From their first day in the job, our Fast Streamers and Apprentices work on delivering projects which offer the opportunity to make a real difference in our communities.
The Project Delivery Fast Stream is a 4-year scheme to develop our future project leaders. Open to both external applicants with a 2:2 degree or internal applicants without a degree. Applications are usually open during September & October each year (please see the website for exact dates).
Our apprenticeships are aligned to the Level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship Vacancies are advertised on Civil Service Jobs. If you’re an existing civil servant and interested in becoming an apprentice you should speak with your line manager/Project Delivery capability team in your department.