Project Officer

One of our local authority clients are currently recruiting for a Project Officer. This is a temporary contract for 6 months with possible further extension based on budget and performance.

Main Purpose of Post/Job Summary

The purpose of the job is to work as part of an evolving team to support the delivery of a series of complex service and business improvement projects across the Environment and Place Directorate. The post holder will be required to work in a fast-paced environment to support key projects, business planning, performance and service improvement initiatives. The post holder will lead by example, promote the values of the organisation, facilitate others to deliver their objectives and facilitate a joined up holistic approach and culture across the Council.

Responsible for supporting the lifecycle management of a project or portfolio of projects and supporting project managers with the co-ordination of key deliverables to ensure complete solutions are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed standards. Projects will be focused on ensuring change is embedded in the organisation through innovative solutions to difficult problems.

This post holder is responsible for ensuring that all relevant policies and procedures are adhered to and concerns are raised in accordance with these policies.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support a series of wide-ranging projects in particular those required to deliver the Directorates business and delivery objectives. Projects are likely to cover a wide-range of issues.
• Together with a project team, work with service leads and sponsor to define the project, identifying the critical success factors, requirements and targets of change.
• To help define and set-up the project organisation structure, assembling team members with agreement of appropriate line managers.
• Supporting project managers and stakeholders to identify the business justification, establishing project objectives and benefits, metrics, risk and financial data. Support with defining the project scope, impacts, costs, deliverables and schedule. Perform cost/benefit analysis to prioritise scope / phasing of deliverables.
• Be a driving force to move the projects through their lifecycle as quickly as possible, creating a sense of urgency. Provide timely updates to sponsor and stakeholders.
• To support the management and delivery of projects using the project management guidelines; maintain project plans and other project documentation to required standard, ensure key decisions and meeting minutes are documented and communicated.
• Work in a constructive way with colleagues across the Council and with our partners, supporting and challenging others to deliver and embed change.
• Establish productive working relationships with elected members, senior managers and external organisations.
• Proactively keep abreast of the policy direction of government and others. Advising the council best practice ideas and applying these where agreed.
• Achieving effective cross-team working across the directorates.

The above is a brief overview of the role, details and specification will be provided should you be successful. If interested in this position, please send your CV to Jahker Miah at Coyle Personnel Ltd.