Job summary Are you an organised, pro-active individual looking for a new role to flex your skills? If so, we are looking for an enthusiastic Risk and Issue Specialist to join the Portfolio Management Directorate (PMD) to support the definition and delivery of the NHSBSA Portfolio Change Plan across all directorates. About the role Reporting to the Portfolio Office Manager, the Risk and Issue Specialist will have substantial knowledge and practical experience of risk and issue management within a complex organisation, with excellent risk workshop, training and facilitation skills. They must be able to demonstrate experience of working as an organisational subject matter expert in a portfolio and project management setting. Who we're looking for To thrive in this role, you will be a confident and personable professional with the ability to communicate well at all levels, have excellent stakeholder engagement skills and a passion for making a positive impact. What do we offer? o 27 days leave (increasing with length of service) plus 8 bank holidayso Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours)o Flexi timeo Hybrid working model (we are currently working largely remotely)o Career development o Active wellbeing and inclusion networkso Excellent pensiono NHS Car lease schemeo Access to a wide range of benefits and high street discounts Main duties of the job You will provide specialist risk and issue management advice, identify improvement areas and provide assurance and challenge to ensure RAID logs and PPM tool information is factual, concise and of a high standard across the Portfolio Management Directorate. Develop and implement a series of regular facilitated risk and issue reviews and workshops with key project stakeholders and lead on the use of effective risk and issue management techniques. Work in partnership with Portfolio Office and Assurance colleagues to share knowledge and expertise of risk and issue management across the Portfolio Change Plan, e.g. business case assurance, checkpoint reviews, critical friend reviews. Act as a direct link between operational risk and project risk, addressing or escalating risks/issues as appropriate to Portfolio Office and Assurance Managers. Liaise with Portfolio Business Partners and Business Managers to ensure consistency and alignment of NHSBSA risk management standards across operational areas and within the Portfolio Management Directorate. You'll be joining a great team with varied and exciting work on offer, with excellent training and career development opportunities. About us Here at the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), what we do matters. We manage the NHS Pension scheme, process prescription payments and much more. Our services are used by NHS organisations, contractors and the public: we take pride in being part of something so meaningful, that touches millions of lives. Just as we design our services around the needs of our customers, we place our people at the heart of our organisation. That's why when you join us, you'll be empowered and given the right support to help your career grow. As one of the UK's Best Big Companies to work for, we're all connected to our values: Collaborative, Adventurous, Reliable and Energetic. We care about our people, our purpose, and your progress. We strive to offer a fantastic colleague experience, where every voice is heard, and every colleague is supported and respected. Wellbeing, diversity and inclusion is at the centre of this, so when you join us, you can connect with our Lived Experience Networks who help us to bring our authentic selves to work. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and circumstances. We are committed and proud to be a flexible employer and will endeavour to offer a working pattern that suits you wherever possible, whether that be hybrid working, flexible hours, job sharing and more. Ready to join us on our journey to be a catalyst for better health? Apply today and see where the NHSBSA can take you. We are people connected to care. Date posted 04 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £37,338 to £44,962 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number 914-BSA7051741 Job locations Stella House Goldcrest Way Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 8NY Job description Job responsibilities In this role, you are accountable for 1. 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 to 1. 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 relationships Responsible to Risk and Issue Specialist Key relationships and connections 1. 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) Job description Job responsibilities In this role, you are accountable for 1. 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 to 1. 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 relationships Responsible to Risk and Issue Specialist Key relationships and connections 1. 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. 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). Additional information 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)