NetworkersMSB Agents - Anyone ever heard of them? Any good?

[Not So Wise]

MSB used to pretty big around 97 until the Dot Com crash, they were very hit and miss on their rates and how they treated their contractors/clients

Don't seem to be even mid sized these days, which is probably why most newbies have never heard of them and many old timers think they folded years ago

[Sausage Surprise]

They got me an interview a couple of months ago - according to them I was last man standing after the round of telephone interviews. More or less told I had the job after the interview. Next day job withdrawn - no reason given. Now I'm thinking about what their mark up was and maybe it was down to this.

[gingerjedi]

They sent me this:

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR PROJECT MANAGER - CLEANER FOSSIL FUELS UNIT
Introduction
Cleaner Fossil Fuels Unit (CFFU) within the Department of Energy and Climate Change has an immediate requirement for an experienced Project Manager with experience of managing major OJEU procurement projects. The Project Manager would play an integral role in the delivery of the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Demonstration Project.
Background
CCS is a key Government energy project which will help to reduce the effects of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel power stations. As recently announced in the 2009 Budget, we are running a competition to support a commercial scale demonstration of Carbon Capture and Storage. The competition is being run under the OJEU Negotiated Procedure and has completed the pre qualification stage.
An experienced Project Manager is now required to support the Senior Responsible Owner and Commercial Director in driving forward the procurement process. The successful PM must have significant experience of OJEU procurement processes to support this senior team, who have been recruited from private industry, to ensure the project is a success.
A Programme Management Office has been developed within the Unit recently to introduce a robust PMO service in line with OGC (Office of Government Commerce) and industry best practice. Its main focus is to support the CCS Demonstration Project and will offer key support to the Project Manager.
Services required
The Project Manager will be responsible for the overall direction, coordination, implementation, execution, control and completion of the Project. In particular, s/he will:
• Work closely with SRO and Commercial Director to understand the business requirement for the project, developing effective working relationships and ongoing management processes for the project.
• Define the deliverables, resource requirements and work plan for the project, and manage their development and delivery.
• Ensure that the project is delivered within the financial budget agreed.
• Estimate and plan projects from start to finish, with built in contingencies. The PMO will provide planning expertise to support in this task.
• Ensure the project meets industry leading quality standards.
• Manage, monitor and motivate the Project team and external advisers assigned to the project. Ensure that contractual arrangements with external advisers and service level agreements with internal suppliers are professionally co ordinated and managed.
• Effectively apply Prince2 methodology and enforce project standards.
• Ensure quality assurance procedures are undertaken.
• Minimize our exposure and risk on project.
• Ensures project documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately.
• Define and own the delivery approach through the Project Lifecycle.
• Produce phase, stage and exception plans as necessary.
• Produce other project management reports as necessary.
• Report progress and forecasts against the schedule and budget to the Project Board.
• Ensure skills and experience is appropriate throughout project.
• Make sure all delivery team responsibilities are assigned.
• Liaise with the Senior User for customer and user involvement.
• Manage risks, issues and dependencies.
• Manage change control and any required configuration management.
• Report at regular intervals to the SRO and Project Board on the progress of the project, undertaking forecasting as appropriate to ensure that all appropriate financial controls are properly exercised.
• Action any recommendations from any external review of the Project.
Experience and Skills Required
• A proven track record of successful project implementation in a procurement environment, ideally OJEU Negotiated Procedure procurements.
• Team management experience, comfortable matrix managing project teams of internal and external personnel.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills.
• Experience of the whole project procurement life cycle, able to identify and address potential pitfalls at every stage of the procurement.
• Thorough knowledge of MS Project and Prince 2
• The ability to foster motivation within the project team to meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills are required to ensure that colleagues understand and are familiar with all the PPM and PMO processes and techniques. The individual will need to have the ability to quickly develop credibility within the environment.
• Ability to build strong and effective working relationships with stakeholders, including senior staff, and DECC senior colleagues.
Response Required
Tenders for this requirement should include details of the person proposed for the project, daily rates, the date on which he/she would be available to start the assignment, a copy of their CV covering at least the last five years, and contact details for at least two references who can vouch for their abilities.
Timescale
The role is for a period of 18 months, but may be reviewed periodically by both the Department and the applicant.
Applicants should be available to commence the assignment within 4 weeks (or less where possible).
Location and Facilities Available
The assignment will be based at the Department’s 3 Whitehall Place open plan offices in London, SW1. Desktop facilities are normally available, prospective candidates should assume that they should provide their own mobile telephone.
Type of Contract
This contract will be based on a daily rate. Expenses for official journeys outside the M25 area will be on the same basis as DECC staff. The consultant will be expected to supply the Department with effort return sheets. Payment to be monthly in arrears.
Standards & Constraints
The contractor will need to be security cleared to Enhanced Basic Check level, i.e. Basic Check level plus Counter Terrorism Check.
Departmental Contact
The departmental contact is George Walker, Project Management Office manager, tel 020 7215 0237.

No message just an attachment... I'm a support monkey??

[Recruitment Agent]

I was going to say a mate has used them and knows the senior peeps quite well, but now you say that (and knowing my chum) what you say actually seems pretty likely.

And what I said is a tame version on these characters

[Grinder]

My Boss used to work for them they are bunch of Locker room boys that only work at high margin buisness so it can support their coke lifestyle.

I was going to say a mate has used them and knows the senior peeps quite well, but now you say that (and knowing my chum) what you say actually seems pretty likely.

[Recruitment Agent]

I'm looking at a gig through these guys, anyone got any recent experience with them? And when you say fat, exactly how rotund is the margin..... ?

My Boss used to work for them they are bunch of Locker room boys that only work at high margin buisness so it can support their coke lifestyle.

[oracleslave]

I'm looking at a gig through these guys, anyone got any recent experience with them? And when you say fat, exactly how rotund is the margin..... ?

I think they are alright. Never contracted through them but have used them when hiring. I would have thought the margin would vary per the circumstances so ask for a rate you are happy with and then don't worry yourself about it would be my 2p worth.

[johhnysalad]

I'm looking at a gig through these guys, anyone got any recent experience with them? And when you say fat, exactly how rotund is the margin..... ?

[syn]

Yeah, what actually happened? I've realised they work to a massive profit margin. Doesn't mean I actually have to go with them though as there are at least 4 other agencies called me about the same role. 2 of them "I like plague avoid" myself.

[Clippy]

Please re arrange.

Like the avoid plague.

HTH
HRH

It's good practice to qualify any comments like this with specific examples.

[HRH]

Please re arrange.

Like the avoid plague.

HTH
HRH

[Jubber]

First time I've had these call me and was just wondering if anyone has had any previous experience with them? Please don't tell me they're part of SThree lol.

I've had a couple of gigs through them - few years back mind - were just MSB then. No problems as I recall. They liked a fat margin.

[syn]

First time I've had these call me and was just wondering if anyone has had any previous experience with them? Please don't tell me they're part of SThree lol.