This fixed term contract is for 12 month duration

Essex County Council (ECC) is one of the largest and most dynamic local authorities in the UK and has a very successful track record of delivering transformational change. ECC are now entering a new phase of change where we are seeking to further enhance customer focus, service design and programme delivery.

As part of ECC's recent Organisational Design process we have created the 'Delivery and Service Design' team. We now have an exciting opportunity for a Project Support Officer to work alongside our project professionals.

The Role

The responsibilities of the Project Support Officer covers a diverse range of activities to support the delivery of tasks aligned to a project, programme or portfolio.
Working primarily alongside a Head of Delivery, this role will enable the smooth running of specific projects, through the co-ordination of business management actions and activities on their behalf. Other requirements will focus on development of key documents and reporting, monitoring the progress of specific projects or work-streams, whilst overseeing, with direction, small projects, as required.
Experienced in being planned and organised, complemented by strong communication and interpersonal skills are key attributes in ensuring projects stay on track. By monitoring progress and engaging with a stakeholders, this role plays a key role in ensuring a structured approach to maintaining high quality outputs.

Duties will include, but are not limited to, the following

* Support the project teams by maintaining appropriate systems to ensure effective planning and scheduling of projects.
* Support the team by assisting them in maintaining project controls and producing project reports to ensure adequate and regular monitoring of project progress.
* Responsible for project file management using robust version control and organising project boards and meetings, together with providing support to ensure efficient operation of projects day to day.
* Supports the project teams by being a main point of contact for project responses to external requests for information and engaging with both internal and external contacts.
* Supports the teams by monitoring project spend and contribute to the compilation of budget updates whilst also ensuring updates of other tasks, such as, maintaining risk and issue logs and clearly documenting decisions.
* Supports the team by sharing any insights or escalating issues to ensure Projects Managers are kept up to date.
* Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

* Educated to GCSE or equivalent by experience
* Evidence of continuing professional development and knowledge in relevant professional area.
* Experience and evidence of working in a project support role in a large, complex organisation
* Curious and inspired to work in an agile environment where you can learn and develop
* Experience of engaging with others to build good working relationships and communicating effectively
* Experience of working with a broad range of individuals at different levels within the organisation and engaging with them.
* Experience of working within a political environment with knowledge of a public sector setting and involvement in a large, complex environment
* Evidence of adopting a structured and planned approach
(Qualification certificates should be brought to interview).

Rewards

Essex County Council is proud to offer an excellent benefits package to all its employees. More information can be found on the Working for Essex website.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is key to our success.