INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.

Job title: Project Officer (Safeguarding)

Salary: SO2 £37,280 - £39,152

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Merrion House

As a Project Officer for safeguarding you’ll thrive on working collaboratively with partners, driving forward meaningful change, and ensuring that the voices and experiences of vulnerable individuals are central to service design and delivery. You’ll be proactive, highly organised, and confident in managing multiple priorities, using your skills to turn complex issues into clear, achievable actions that strengthen our approach to community safety.

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.

About you

As a Project Officer for safeguarding, you will bring to the role:

Support and contribute to range of projects with the Safeguarding & Domestic Violence work programme, using appropriate project management methodologies
Ability to communicate key issues effectively, clearly, succinctly and appropriately, verbally and in writing, to a variety of audiences
Support and contribute to the preparation and presentation of complex information in a variety of ways to a diverse range of audiences, including supporting the preparation of reports to support effective decision-making at strategic and political levels of the Council or key partners.
Experience of dealing with matters which are highly confidential and sensitive
Actively demonstrate a commitment to diversity, cohesion and equality outcomes

About the role

As our next Project Officer for safeguarding, you’ll play a vital part in shaping how we protect and support some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. This is a role where your work genuinely matters, influencing real change, strengthening safeguarding responses, and helping create a safer, more resilient Leeds. You’ll have the opportunity to drive forward innovative approaches, contribute to citywide priorities, and work with passionate colleagues who are committed to making a difference.

The role is integral to our Safeguarding and Domestic Violence Team, a supportive and dedicated group that leads on key statutory responsibilities across the city.

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 guidancefor further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Jude Roberts. Call 07595 210218 or email Jude.Roberts@leeds.gov.uk.

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 visa route 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. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job description

Job purpose

The role requires supporting and contributing to the successful delivery of strategy and policy in relation to the key community safety statutory safeguarding themes including: Domestic Violence and Abuse, Modern Slavery, Serious Violence duty, Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and Sex Working and Sexual Exploitation. The role will also have responsibility to deliver appropriate project and programme support as required (Safeguarding, Domestic Abuse and Partnerships Team).

The role requires to work flexibly as part of the Safeguarding and Domestic Violence Team, as an officer of Leeds City Council, and with partners and stakeholders to deliver identified outcomes. This will require managing competing priorities, ensuring a consistency of approach with a focus on the delivery of a quality service.

Responsibilities

Support the development and production of project /programme documentation and bid documents when required
Support project planning and the production of programme / project workstream delivery plans and partnership action trackers
Support the effective updating, configuration, version control and change management of project and programme documents
Support the identification, capturing, recording and monitoring / reporting of project and programme issues and risks
Support the identification, monitoring, tracking and capturing / evidencing project / programme outcomes and benefits
Support the preparation of briefings, reports, publicity and other materials; and the presentation of these in ways appropriate to different audiences
Support the effective delivery of engagement work with stakeholders and the wider public; to include supporting consultations with service users, stakeholders and the wider public as appropriate
Assist with the development of workforce development/ training materials for the wider frontline workforce and deliver various social media campaign activity.

To support and contribute to:

Support and contribute to range of projects with the Safeguarding & Domestic Violence work programme, using appropriate project management methodologies, to include:

Serious Violence and Youth Violence
VAWG
Domestic Violence and Abuse
Modern Slavery

Workforce development delivery
Support and contribute to meetings, workshops, workgroup and other meetings, including:
- Agenda planning and preparation
- Attendance, contributing and minuting
- Managing forward plans and workstream management

Support and contribute to the preparation and presentation of complex information in a variety of ways to a diverse range of audiences, including supporting the preparation of reports to support effective decision-making at strategic and political levels of the Council or key partners.
Ensure that competing priorities are effectively managed, that approaches are consistent, and that a high quality of service is maintained.
To keep abreast of relevant developments and government policy, internal and external, which have implications for the work.
To carry out all assigned responsibilities with a minimum of direct supervision, and in accordance with the specified / agreed work programme, project briefs and timetables, and within the wider remit of Council policy and/or the remits of wider stakeholder groups or funders.
To undertake line management as required and commensurate with the grade.
Deputise for senior staff as required and commensurate with the grade.
To work within all relevant policies, procedures and systems.
Carry out any other duties commensurate with the grade and required for the role.
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

None

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Demonstrate an ability to support a variety of projects or a number of workstreams within a service area
Ability to communicate key issues effectively, clearly, succinctly and appropriately, verbally and in writing, to a variety of audiences
Ability work effectively with others to deliver projects / work as part of a team
Ability to analyse and interpret information
Ability to analyse operational requirements, work to complex and competing demands, and to recommend improvements where appropriate
Ability to take forward delegated areas of work with a minimum level of supervision
Ability to use Microsoft Office, Teams and other appropriate IT tools to deliver a complex and diverse workload to a high level
Knowledge / understanding of project management methodologies / requirements / processes
An understanding of working in a local government environment, and an awareness of working in a political environment and on politically sensitive issues
An understanding of equality issues and the marginalisation of various groups / communities within society and implications for safeguarding.
Experience of supporting a range of projects within a complex service, with competing demands
Experience of working with a range of stakeholders and partners to deliver common objectives
Experience of dealing with matters which are highly confidential and sensitive
Ability to develop productive working relationships that inspire trust, respect and confidence
Ability to support own personal development
Actively demonstrate a commitment to diversity, cohesion and equality outcomes
Comply with Council policies, including health and safety at work, safeguarding, data protection and equality
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 and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
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.

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

An understanding of safeguarding and community safety issues

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