Risk and Issue Specialist

Job description

Job responsibilities

In this role, you are accountable for1. Risk, Assumption, Issue and Dependency (RAID) Management

Delivering a programme of regular facilitated risk and issue reviews/workshops with key programme/project stakeholders on the use of risk, issue and assurance techniques such as stakeholder analysis, PESTLE, SWOT, horizon scanning, group techniques, probability/ impact assessment, cost benefit analysis etc.

Undertaking qualitative and quantitative risk analysis, as required by Programme Review Boards (PRBs) and Portfolio Progress and Assurance Group (PPAG).

Developing and delivering RAID management training and awareness material to stakeholders with support from the Risks and Issues Specialist.

Working as a key part of the Portfolio Office and Assurance Team to ensure that risks, assumptions, issues and dependencies are identified and escalated appropriately from programmes/ projects.

Working in partnership with Portfolio Office and Assurance colleagues to share knowledge and expertise of RAID management across the Portfolio Change Plan, e.g. business case assurance, checkpoint reviews, critical friend reviews. Acting as a direct link between operational risk and programme/project risk, addressing or escalating risks/issues as appropriate to Portfolio Office and Assurance Managers.

Facilitating the continuous improvement of programme/project RAID strategies, processes and procedures within change initiatives and at sub-portfolio and portfolio levels.Undertaking review and quality assurance of risk registers, mitigation actions etc for programmes and projects, identifying improvement actions and acting as a coach/ mentor/ critical friend.

Provide constructive challenge and recommendations to Programme and Project Managers, as well as senior managers in the organisation and other key stakeholders to ensure accurate RAID data is provided to enable quality outputs to be produced, enabling effective decision making at a senior level and assisting in driving delivery of the Portfolio Change Plan.

Escalate common themes across programme/project risks to the Risk and Issue Specialist for consideration or inclusion within the NHSBSAs corporate risk register, as appropriate.

Establishing risk management arrangements for new programmes/ projects facilitating the establishment of risk registers, processes. Facilitate risk potential assessments for the larger projects within the portfolio.

Supporting the delivery of other key governance work, as directed. Be familiar with all other roles within the Portfolio Office and Assurance Teamto provide effective cover when required, and to be able to provide support, training and guidance on all aspects of Portfolio Office and Assurance processes.

2. People and Leadership

Communicate and build commitment to a shared vision and standards for risks and issues within the directorate, ensuring accountability and championing the use of best practice via NHSBSA Portfolio Management Framework.

Building excellent internal and external networks within the healthcare family, to share working practices and drive best practice for risk and issue partnering.

Drive development of colleagues in PMD via leading by example, knowledge sharing, training, mentoring and contribution to Portfolio Academy.

3. Governance & Reporting

Establish clear understanding of and adherence to NHSBSA Risk Management Framework within the directorate.

Contribute to RAID reporting to Portfolio Progress and Assurance Group (PPAG) and Leadership Team (LT) as appropriate.

Drive accurate data and usage of Project Portfolio Management (PPM) tool for RAID reporting across the directorate, contributing to continuous development of tool to meet sub-portfolio directorate needs.

Ensure that the PPM tool is compliant with the NHSBSA Risk Management Framework.

4. Stakeholder Management

Establish excellent stakeholder relationships within directorate and within NHSBSA.

Engage in debate, negotiate and influence to resolve issues and differences between stakeholders and challenge assumptions.

Working with key stakeholders and portfolio communities to identify and remove blockers that delay delivery of the projects and portfolio. Identify enablers and ensure lessons are learned, shared and best practices adopted.

Using your skills, experience and insight, to potentially provide training and facilitated risk and issue workshops to operational areas in support of achieving strategic goals, at the same time building strong stakeholder relationships.

Develop effective relationships, to identify, communicate and manage risk and issues across the health and care system, and beyond, as appropriate.

Develop a programme of regular risk and issue reviews with key stakeholders.Support the business in identifying appropriate strategies for dealing with risk and issues.In addition to the above accountabilities, as post holder you are expected to1. Actively contribute to the portfolio, programme and project delivery, assurance and planning professions within the NHSBSA2. Undertake additional duties and responsibilities in line with the purpose of your role and as agreed by your line manager.3. Demonstrate NHSBSA values and core capabilities in all aspects of your work.4. Encourage an environment where your own and colleagues safety and well-being is promoted.5. Contribute to a culture which values diversity and inclusion.6. Follow NHSBSA policies, procedures, and protocols as they apply to your role.

Working relationshipsResponsible to Risk and Issue Specialist

Key relationships and connections1. Chief Portfolio Officer2. Heads of Portfolio Management Directorate3. PMD Management Team 4. Senior Portfolio Business Partners5. Programme and Project Managers, Coordinators and Support Officers, Business Analysts 6. Portfolio Office and Assurance Team members7. Head of Governance8. Governance and Assurance Manager9. NHSBSA Leadership Team10. Heads of Service, Senior Managers and Business Partners across the NHSBSA 11. Internal and external stakeholders (e.g. DHSC Portfolio Office)

Person Specification

Personal Qualities, Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Extensive knowledge of best practice in risk management.
• Knowledge of a range of risk tools and techniques.
• Knowledge of assurance and control frameworks.
• Able to use a range of IT equipment and software to analyse information and produce intelligent and engaging reports.
• Able to present complex and sensitive information to internal stakeholders, persuading and building buy-in at all levels.

Desirable

• Subject matter knowledge in a related project management discipline.
• An awareness of the NHSBSA's strategy, business plans and major programmes of work.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working as the organisational subject matter expert on risk management, in an enterprise risk management environment, with stakeholders to gain buy-in.
• Experience of facilitating multi-disciplinary risk workshops and quality assuring/reviewing risk registers/documentation.
• Experience of working within a Project Management Office, with understanding of key project outputs and processes e.g. project governance, business cases.
• Exercising judgement and ability to work independently managing work.
• Provision of effective and efficient advice on risks and issues to Programme/Project Managers. and senior leaders.
• Experience of senior stakeholder management, influencing collaborating and providing appropriate challenge. leadership.
• Point of professional knowledge and expertise on risk and issue management across the organisation.

Desirable

• Experience of a risk management role in an NHS/Government organisation.
• Experience of procurement projects, business change or IT across government.
• Experience of RAID management reporting using a variety of data analysis tools e.g. Power BI and PPM tools.

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional Project Management Qualification e.g. PRINCE2, APM Project Fundamentals, PMI Certificate in Project Management or equivalent experience in RAID management and working within a formal project delivery environment.
• Management of Risk Foundation or Practitioner Qualification (or willingness to work towards).
• Portfolio management understanding
• Degree in relevant subject or significant equivalent experience in risk management and working within a formal project delivery environment.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Business Services Authority

Address

Stella House

Goldcrest Way

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE15 8NY

Employer's website

https://careers.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)