Job title: Project Officer

Salary: PO2 £39,862 - £42,839 (Annual)

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Temporary Contract or Secondment until 31^st July 2028.

Permission for release under secondment arrangements for internal candidates must be sought in advance by applicants from their current management.

Location: Merrion House, 110 Merrion Centre, Leeds, LS2 8BB

In Leeds we aim high for our children and young people, with the ambition of being a child friendly city. We put children at the heart of all decisions that affect them.

Whilst we hold central our ambitions for all children to have the best start in life, to have access to the right opportunities to live happy and healthy lives, critical to delivery of this is the Children’s & Families workforce. The values, behaviour, insight and approach that leaders, managers and practitioners bring to their work determines the quality of the service that children, young people and families receive.

The current Children & Families environment is challenging; however it is also an exciting time, with lots of opportunities to make improvements in service delivery and work practices.

Why not come and join us on this journey and be part of making a real difference to the lives of children, young people and their families across the city.

About the role

You will work with the Transformation Team who support the delivery of an ambitious programme of change, in the context of significant national reforms.

As a Project Officer your values and ambition will support the best possible delivery of services to Leeds residents in a way that appropriately meets their needs.

You will use your project expertise and skills to work effectively as part of a wider programme structure within multi -disciplinary teams, driving delivery of varied and complex projects providing project management support to ensure successful delivery. This will include providing support to service reviews and design of change proposals, development of project documentation such as project plans, risk and benefits documentation, work packages and stakeholder management plans.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Sandra Pentelow, Programme and Partnerships Manager on 0113 37 88655 or email sandra.pentelow@leeds.gov.uk

Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose

The postholder will contribute to the successful delivery of the Children & Families transformation agenda, by providing project management support across a complex programme of change. The Project Officer will work flexibly as part of a wider programme team driving delivery of varied and complex projects to meet the needs of the directorate, wider Council, as well as partners.

The Project Officer will work flexibly within multi-disciplinary teams, with membership from across different service areas, and potentially partner organisations, providing project management support to ensure successful delivery. This will include providing support to service reviews and design of change proposals, and thereafter development of project documentation such as project plans, risk and benefits registers and work packages and stakeholder management plans.

The post holder may also be asked to support cross Council projects and collaborative working with partners across the health and care sector, where inter-dependencies exist.

Responsibilities

Support effective project delivery across the directorate’s transformation agenda some of which may be complex
Effectively work within multi-disciplinary teams to drive forward delivery of projects to time, cost and quality
Ensure that project documentation is up to date, reflective of progress and matters of challenge
Maintain manual and digital records accurately collating and processing sensitive and secure data and information from a variety of sources in accordance with the requirements of GDPR
Escalate risks and play a crucial role in activity reporting to project teams, programme boards and other groups, as necessary
Work with a range of colleagues from across the directorate, council and partners, providing support to achieve successful change
Use initiative to manage competing priorities and offer solutions whilst delivering on a range of objectives
Support and develop staff to be their best and reflect the organisation’s values
Supervision and appraisal of staff in line with associated policies and procedures
Work effectively as part of a team prioritising own and team’s work to meet conflicting deadlines, ensuring consistency of approach, with a key focus on delivery and quality
Provide written and verbal briefs on project activity to a range of stakeholders as required.
Work within and interpret financial policies and procedures ensuring value for money
Support the management of project budgets, including planning, monitoring and reporting spend.
Effective management of, and support to project team meetings, boards and other groups, as necessary, including but not limited to agenda planning and preparation, attendance and active participation, and taking minutes where appropriate/required
Timely escalation of issues to ensure swift and corrective action can be taken
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade
Participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills
Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes
Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice
Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post

Qualifications The postholder should hold a relevant project management qualification or be able to clearly demonstrate substantial experience of project management.

Personal Specification

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

Essential Requirements It is essential that candidates should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements

Skills Required

Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
Able to use initiative to develop solutions to day-to-day issues and problems
Good skills in applying a range of project management techniques and methodologies in practice to achieve desired outcomes, including but not limited to risk and benefit register, project initiation and stakeholder management plan.
Able to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders to move from concept through to project implementation, through application of a robust project management framework.
Undertake options appraisals, including evaluation and development of recommendations.
Able to support development of cases for change which clearly articulate the need for change, what change is being sought and why, benefits and risk, required investment, targeted savings and resource management.
Strong report writing skills, with the ability to present complex information succinctly, to effectively achieve the intended purpose of the report.
Effective presentation skills, both written and verbal, to project meetings and other groups as required.
Good communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across team and organisational boundaries.
Able to establish and maintain positive working relationships across a range of stakeholders.
Analytical skills, including the ability to gather, interpret, present complex data from a range of sources
Able to support the production of recommendations aligned to achieving objectives.
Able to work within and interpret financial policies and procedures ensuring value for money
Project budget monitoring and reporting.

Knowledge Required

Demonstrable knowledge of project management methodologies and practices.
Understanding of current challenges being faced by local government and the wider public sector.
Understanding of the current challenges facing children’s services, both locally and nationally.
Of relevant legislation, guidance, policies and the ability to interpret and apply them consistently.
Of responsibilities in terms of Health and Safety, security, confidentiality and data protection

Experience Required

Significant experience of working within a project management environment, supporting successful project delivery.
Of supporting and managing complex and varied projects involving partnership working across a variety of disciplines and professions.
Of working on cultural and/or operational change projects that have customer focused outcomes.
Of working within a matrix management approach, between line manager, project managers, service managers and other senior colleagues.
Of resource management within projects.
Of supervising and managing staff, within a project environment, to achieve the best from them.
Of using organisational and time management skills to meet own and team’s work.
Of identifying problems and seeking appropriate solutions

Behavioural and other Characteristics required

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.