Student Placement - Portfolio Office Assistant - Change - 2025/2026 - Counter Terrorism Policing HQ

Title: Student Placement - Portfolio Office Assistant - Change - 2025/2026 - Counter Terrorism Policing HQ

Department: Counter Terrorism Policing

Salary: £23,936

Location: West Brompton

Duration: 12 months

Number of students we are looking to recruit: 1

MORE CHALLENGES, MORE EXCITEMENT, MORE OPPORTUNITIES - BE AT THE HEART OF A CHANGING SERVICE

The MET

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) employs approximately 39,000 officers and Staff, plus thousands of volunteers and provides policing to one of the most diverse capital cities in the world. The service provides policing to the 32 London Boroughs as well as a number of other local, national and international functions such as counter terrorism and organised crime prevention. As the country’s largest police service, the service is recognised internationally as a leader in fighting crime and many other policing organisations look to the MPS for best practice and guidance.

We are looking to recruit students for a 52 week student placement with the Metropolitan Police Service. All roles will give students valuable insight and experience of working for one of the largest public organisations in the UK and the largest single employer in London. The role is a substantive post and we seek to provide valuable practical experience wherever our students work.

Counter Terrorism Policing

Counter Terrorism Policing is a collaboration of UK police forces working with the UK intelligence community to help protect the public and our national security by preventing, deterring and investigating terrorist activity. As the threat of terrorism continues to change and evolve, we need to be ready which means we need to be constantly adapting. Delivering change is hugely important therefore, and this is your chance to play your part in a challenge that is as important as it gets: protecting the UK and its communities.

Joining the Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters (CTPHQ) you’ll be part of our Change Pillar, specifically the Portfolio Office team. You’ll support the CTP Network to deliver change across the portfolio by taking on a range of tasks and applying a proactive and organised approach to enable you to assist the Portfolio Office team.

The work of the Portfolio Office team involves supporting the delivery of projects and programmes within our Change portfolio by engaging with various stakeholders such as members of the Project and Programme Management team to provide specialist advice and act as a critical friend. Our team also reports on projects and programmes into our key delivery Boards, so team members need to have strong communication skills, excellent ability to work with a number of stakeholders, and the ability to analyse data and draw out insights. Joining our team as the Portfolio Office Assistant will give you an introduction to project and programme management and provide you with core transferrable skills for a career in Project Portfolio Management (PPM). You will be joining a dynamic, friendly and collaborative team that is supportive and promotes a culture of wellbeing, inclusivity and diversity.

The Role

Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) is one of the Met’s most complex and fast-paced environments. To keep us one step ahead, we want to recruit an aspiring Portfolio Office Assistant who will help us provide crucial support to deliver our projects and programmes.

The Portfolio Office Assistant will help enable the Portfolio Office team to perform at their best by providing a high level of proactive support and will work flexibly to provide management and maintenance of relevant portfolio control documents. Your responsibilities will be varied which will give you the opportunity to develop different skills and work with a variety of people. You’ll work on a number of portfolio assignments to support the development of core project management documents, whilst working with, and learning from, an experienced team to provide support to the delivery of the Change Portfolio.

We are looking for someone who is a supportive individual, passionate about developing their skills in project and programme management, and is eager to learn and take on new opportunities. You should be able to demonstrate how you can provide proactive support and be able to evidence some of the key skills required for this role.

The role includes many rewarding responsibilities, such as:

Engaging with various teams across the Change Pillar (Business Change, Project and Programme Management Service, Business Design) to build and maintain effective working relationships.
Assisting the Portfolio Support Officer in the day-to-day maintenance and updating of control documentation such as key logs and trackers.
The opportunity to be responsible for student-led projects such as research projects and Portfolio Management projects that contribute to the Portfolio Office strategy or wider Change Pillar initiatives.
Working on portfolio assignments to deliver on Portfolio Office strategy. Dependent on your skills and experience, this may range from data analysis to development of templates and guidance for the portfolio.
Supporting the Portfolio Office Team in the organisation of key meetings and correspondence. This might include governance boards, minute taking, editing key papers and proactively managing actions.
Facilitate the management of project, programme and portfolio data effectively by assisting in the maintenance of the corporate shared drive system in accordance with guidelines and standards, therefore ensuring compliance with Information Management Standards.
Share your ideas and contribute to the design of portfolio trackers, dashboards, process diagrams and similar documentation. This includes effectively obtaining data and providing some analysis.
Working to support the team in coordination of key activities. This might include the facilitation of training and learning events, lunch and learns, and the development of templates.
Support the work of the wider Change Pillar by disseminating information and communications to Change Pillar staff and key stakeholders.

As part of your time with us as a Portfolio Office Assistant, you will be supported to work on areas of personal development with the view to a potential career pathway through the Portfolio Office and wider Change Pillar, should you wish to apply to join us again after your degree.

About You

We are looking to recruit a university placement student pursuing a degree in Project Management, Criminology, Business Studies, Business Management, Operational Research or similar. Students from other courses are welcome to apply but must demonstrate their interest and/or experience in project and programme management.

Location: Whilst the post and the team is located in Central London, and some time in London will be expected as part of this role, we operate a hybrid way of working and welcome applications from candidates anywhere in the UK

Your skills:

Ensures appropriate record keeping, feeding back learning for future working.
Confident using a range of Microsoft Office products with good IT skills.
Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
Excellent attention to detail and shows initiative, drive and is motivated to deliver a quality service.
Able to manage your own time and relevant resources efficiently and effectively.
Highly organised and can quickly respond to changing priorities so that you're able to deliver in a fast-paced and deadline driven environment.

Candidates must also demonstrate the following skills:

Communication Skills

An excellent level of both written and verbal communication skills, and ability to present information appropriately to a wide variety of stakeholders in a clear, concise and non-technical manner. Written communications will need to be well prepared and logically structured.

Planning and Organisational skills

Plans and organises their own work, liaising with their manager as to how the work fits in with the project.

Time Management

Prioritises tasks and keeps to deadlines. Has a flexible and self-motivated approach to work, being able to work unsupervised if required.

Problem Solving Skills

Can define and solve problems in a logical manner, being aware of the variety of solutions possible. Shows evidence of being able to balance theory with reality to produce a pragmatic solution.

Technical Skills

IT skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and an aptitude and willingness to learn new software packages. Good numerical and analysis skills and being able to make sense of and interpret qualitative and quantitative data.

Team Working

Can work with a diverse group of colleagues and stakeholders at all levels. Being an active team player and show willingness to get involved in the team and to help other people.

Personal Responsibility

Have a proactive approach, being able to critically appraise their actions and accept responsibility given to them.

Respect for Diversity

Demonstrates a respect for diversity through all aspects of work. Shows consideration and respect for the opinions and feelings of others, regardless of their status or background.

Vetting

This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Security Check (enhanced) (SC(e)) level before taking up the post; with a willingness to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) once in post, if required.

Additionally, this material is of particular sensitivity to the UK and its distribution must be restricted to UK nationals. In approved circumstances dual nationals (of which one element is British) may also be granted access. However, in the event that potential conflicts of interest cannot be managed the post holder will not be able to see the intelligence material and will not be able to perform their duties. For the purpose of safeguarding national security and in line with Cabinet Office Policy, supported by Section 82(2) to (4) of the Police Reform Act (2002), applicants who do not hold or acquire Security Check (enhanced) (SC(e)) or Developed Vetting (DV) clearance and meet the nationality requirements cannot be offered the post.

Confidentiality Agreement

Applicants should also be aware of the need to sign a confidentiality agreement on taking up the post.

Our Employee Commitments

Counter Terrorism Policing aims to create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere and culture and an environment where all our people feel a strong sense of belonging and are able to reach their full potential. Where any group or individual can be and feel respected, supported and valued to fully participate and contribute to our mission of “Working to keep people safe from Terrorism”.

Inclusion, diversity and equality is at the front and centre of our approach to make the composition of Counter Terrorism Policing more representative of the communities we serve. As Counter Terrorism is rooted in Local Policing, to tackle today’s complex policing challenges, applications from across all communities are therefore essential and encouraged. Counter Terrorism Policing as a network is committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations’.

Counter Terrorism Policing is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working arrangements, including part time working or job share. In addition, this role has been reviewed following learning from work during the Covid pandemic and may be done in an agile manner. In the first instance, please contact the vacancy holder to discuss how such arrangements could be accommodated (where applicable)

How to apply

To apply, please visit our website. Applications will be via a detailed CV, Personal Statement and online application form. Your personal statement should outline why you are interested in the role and how your skills and experience demonstrate your suitability for the role (NB. Please do not attach 2 copies of your CV).

Completed applications must be submitted by 28th November 2024