Student Placement - Project Support Assistant - Change - 2025/2026 - Counter Terrorism Policing HQ

Title: Student Placement - Project Support 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: 3

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

The Met

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) employs approximately 44,000 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. We have offices in Met buildings, but work on a national basis; this role is to join the Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters where our most complex national change projects and programmes are managed from.

We deliver change for the network by working in local to global partnerships, from policing teams on the beat and on the streets; supported by a national network of specialist officers and staff across the UK, to our investigators and expert advisors in every corner of the world.

Sadly, as we have seen terrorist attacks can happen at any time or place without warning. And as the threat continues to evolve, then so must we. The challenges we face are not only in person, they are also online and in the shadows. We are dedicated to making the best of our resources, and often unique skills, working with technical experts, digital innovators and world renowned investigators.

Most of what we achieve may never see the light of day but be assured that we have the very best and brightest working around the clock in an effort to keep us all safe. These ordinary individuals do extraordinary things in an effort to thwart terrorist planning; to safeguard those who are at risk of radicalisation; to protect our critical national infrastructure, institutions and crowded places, and to pursue and bring terrorists to justice.

This is an exciting and unique opportunity to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. Ultimately your work will help to protect the public and save lives.

The Role

Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) is one of the most complex and shifting policing environments. To keep us one step ahead, we want to recruit an aspiring Project Support Assistant who will assist us with key projects and programmes being delivered across the UK.

Joining our Project and Programme Management team, you’ll be working as part of key initiatives seeking to deliver critical change to our network of operational and business units who play a vital role in protecting the UK. You will work alongside a Project or Programme Management team to support them in the delivery of key initiatives whilst learning the tradecraft and gaining a breadth of experience. You will be able to actively learn and apply industry standard project management skills, helping to develop crucial documents, support key workshops and manage and monitor the delivery of change to the business.

You will help shape and develop projects as they progress, many of which span the whole of the CTP Network and require you to engage with regions across the UK. You will bring innovative and creative ideas to the project or programme you support, helping the team to problem solve, engaging with those affected and ensuring change develops in a controlled way through key governance activity and development of project controls.

The ideal candidate will be able to use their range of skills to flex and adapt to the fast-paced and complex projects we manage. They are proactive, keen to learn and have an eye for detail with excellent verbal and written skills. They will have an active interest in both Counter Terrorism and in learning effective project management skills and controls which will be invaluable for their career (aligned to PRINCE2).

Like us, we are looking for someone who is keen to deliver meaningful change and is happy to get involved with the priority activities across the project you are deployed to. You should be innovative, well-organised and self-motivated. You should be able to demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of project management aspects (for instance, key documents we would use to manage a project, roles and stages). You will also be able to evidence to us that you’re keen to develop both within the team and the critical role we play in Counter Terrorism Policing.

Work with us and you will be joining a world-class Counter Terrorism Policing network team, where you will work with other change practitioners and operational staff who are passionate about keeping the country safe from terrorism.

Skills Required

Working towards degree level within a relevant Business or Project Management focused course.
A keen interest in Project Management, Counter Terrorism and/or Policing, with strong work ethic and desire to learn.
Foundation knowledge and awareness of project management practices and principles, with an interest to learn more and develop in this area.
Confident using a range of systems and tools such as MS Office.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent planning skills, ability to quickly respond to changing priorities and identify potential risks or issues to delivery.
Be an active team player and happy to be flexible to support the project or programme you are deployed to across the priority areas of activity.
Ability and desire to deliver in a fast-paced and deadline driven environment.
Desirable: Experience of working within a business environment

Planning, organisational and problem solving skills

Highly motivated, flexible and proactive approach to working including a strong desire to meet deadlines and deliver quality work.
Keen interest in developing project management skills, particularly in the planning and risk and issue management areas (i.e. use of MS Project, development of plans on a page, management of risk and issues and control documents).
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.
Very organised and methodical, with an eye for detail.
Able to manage competing priorities and workloads to ensure on-time delivery of work.

Communication and relationship skills

Strong ability to build rapport and relationships with colleagues and managers from across the Counter Terrorism Network and our partners.
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 sometimes technical manner.
Intuition for knowing what levels of information can be shared to whom, and when.
Strong work ethic and communication skills including experience at presenting.
Excellent planning skills, and ability to quickly respond to changing priorities and manage your own workload.
Ability to learn and adapt on the job, especially in responding to changes/unexpected issues, tailoring communication styles as change progresses through the project lifecycle.
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.

Writing

The ability to translate complex information into a concise and understandable summary.
Write and edit project control documents, in a way that is clear, grammatically correct and in line with documentation guidelines set out by our portfolio office.
(As required by the project) development and writing of business case(s) to the ‘5 case model’.

IT Literacy

Excellent knowledge of the MS Office suite and comfortable and competent in using such tools. (Confident in finding the answer if unsure).
Ability and desire to quickly pick up new tools and techniques.
Comfortable in completing a range of templates/reports across different mediums.

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

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