Assurance and Standards Team Assistant Counter Terrorism Policing HQ Industrial Placement London 2024/2025

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) employs more than 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.

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.

Background

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 Assurance and Standards Team. You’ll support the CTP Network to provide Assurance to Key Decision makers across of all levels of Project, Programme and Portfolio to enable the Change Pillar to effectively deliver change across the portfolio.

The work of the Assurance and Standards Team involves assuring the delivery and ongoing health 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 guidance around all things Assurance, Business cases, Information Management, Lessons Learned and Centre of Excellence Development. Our team organises, resources and delivers Healthchecks and HMT Infrastructure and Projects Authority Gateway Review on projects and programmes into our key organisation Decision Boards, so team members need to have strong communication skills, excellent ability to work with a number of stakeholders, and the ability to analyse information and draw out insights. Joining our team as the AST 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 Assurance and Standards (AST) Office Assistant who will help us provide crucial support to deliver our projects and programmes.

The Assurance and Standards Office Assistant will help enable the Assurance 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 Assurance 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 assignments to support the development of core Assurance, Information Management, Lessons Learned and Centre of Excellence documents, whilst working with, and learning from, an experienced team to provide support to the delivery of the Assurance across 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, Portfolio Management Office) to build and maintain effective working relationships.
• Day to day maintenance of control documentation such as key logs, trackers and handbooks/approaches assisting the AST Support Officer in updating these documents.
• Working on AST assignments to deliver on the Assurance Strategy. Dependent on your skills and experience, this may range from data analysis to development of templates and guidance for the wider Change Pillar.
• Supporting the AS Team in the organisation of key meetings and correspondence. This might include attending 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 Assurance documentation, dashboards, process diagrams, newsletter 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, Lessons Learned sessions 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.

About you

Must be an undergraduate student in a sandwich year course returning to study in Autumn 2025.

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.

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, and 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).

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer the Met have committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. 

We are looking to recruit a university placement student pursuing a degree in 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.