Project Assistant - Coventry Health Determinants Research Collaboration (Hdrc)

Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values we strive to have a workforce that reflects our local communities and welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic backgrounds, applicants who have a disability and applicants who are from the LGBTQ+ community to apply for our senior leadership roles. 

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

About the team we are recruiting to

The Coventry Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) is a part of a national programme funded until 2027 by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It aims to increase the use of research in councils, so services are better and fairer and can help people have better life chances.

The multiskilled HDRC team is based in the Public Health Department of the council. The team is responsible for developing and managing the work programme of the HDRC, working with the Coventry University, the University of Warwick, as well as other partners from the community and voluntary sectors, NHS, other councils and universities.

This is an exciting and time to work in the Coventry HDRC, as it’s a brand-new programme and we are developing new ways of working in the council, new research projects, and importantly looking to involve local people in research.  If you are an individual that is committed to achieving the best outcomes for people across Coventry, our team can help you make a difference through high-quality professional support, supervision, and excellent learning and development opportunities. You can learn more about the programme here.

What is the job role?

We are looking for a Project Assistant to work as part of the Coventry HDRC.

This important role will support the Coventry HDRC team in organisation, coordination and administration of key functions of the HDRC. The role will ensure the smooth running of the programme and will require working with people from a range of organisations including universities, hospitals as well as statutory and voluntary agencies.

There is opportunity to help develop new processes for the management of the project and to learn more about research projects.

It is a 2-year fixed term contract/secondment with possible extension.

Who are we looking for?

• You’ll have significant experience in project support and admin duties.
• Experience in communicating with internal and external stakeholders, at all levels.
• You’ll be skilled at prioritising work, managing time and working autonomously under pressure to deliver to deadlines. 
• You’ll be creative, proactive, and have experience in problem-solving and quick decision-making, whilst dealing with competing priorities. 
• You will enjoy helping develop and learn new project and administrative processes to help the programme and service run smoothly.
• Excellent skills with Microsoft Word Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook etc.
• Someone keen to develop and learn new knowledge and skills in a supportive team environment.

When applying for this role you will be asked to write a personal statement, please provide examples of the following information in your statement:

• Experience and knowledge of supporting large projects and dealing with competing priorities.
• Experience of your organisational skills and specifically your role whilst working in a team to reach a deadline.
• Provide an example of where you have had to negotiate with various levels of stakeholders to achieve an outcome.
• Describe a situation where you have faced a challenge and have had to make decisions to overcome this.
• Your experience of adapting a current process or where you have had to develop and learn a new process.

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'

Previous applicants need not apply.

This role will involve a combination of office and home-based working.

For an informal conversation please contact Harmony.Lully@coventry.gov.uk

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'

Interview date(s): w/c/ 8th April

About Coventry

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.
At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies

Coventry City Council