Project Officer-Children's Services

Please be aware this is a Long Term Temporary post to start ASAP.

Barnsley is a place of possibilities.

We are a growing Programme Office that manages, drives and supports the delivery of our Children's Services Transformational Programme. We are committed and passionate about helping, protecting and caring for children and young people across Barnsley. Our vision for Children's Services is ambitious, we know what needs to be done and we will deliver on our plans.

Our environment is fast-paced and sensitive. You will be supporting projects that range in scale and size, across Children's Services. Some of our projects include the implementation and roll out of a social care practice model across the service, and with partners, supporting the development and introduction of new services to children, and helping to embed key strategies along with many more child-focused projects.

The work will be varied and exciting; your role will enable you to drive service improvement and build up your knowledge and experience across many areas of Children's Services. More importantly, the role will be extremely rewarding, as our changes will mean we offer better services to children, young people, and families across the Borough.

What you'll need

As Project Officer, you will support both small and large projects across Children's Services. Your project skills will enable you to support and maintain progress effectively, ensuring we deliver good quality, inclusive, and collaborative projects on time.

You will need to bring with you your project skills and experience, so that you can hit the ground running. In this role, your talent for communication will be as important as your skills in organising and problem-solving. You will need to prioritise your workload effectively, support key meetings, and build effective working relationships with managers, internal colleagues, and partners.

Here at Barnsley, we live and work by four important values: honesty, teamwork, excellent service, and taking pride in what we do. We want people with a 'can do attitude' and a positive outlook, someone that will work independently, be part of our small but growing team, with supportive and empowering ethics. Experience in children's services will be helpful but not essential.

Please refer to the role profile for details of the education, skills, experience and knowledge requirements for this role. Ensuring that you demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria in your application.

Responsibilities will include:

1. Assist with project management, co-ordinating resources to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
2. Ensure that projects are effectively planned and managed within a formal programme and project management framework.
3. Provide advice and guidance in relation to projects, with consideration for the complex requirements of people-related issues, assisting in ensuring that key milestones and information are communicated to internal and external stakeholders.
4. Support the maintenance of project risk registers and assist in resolving issues to ensure projects are delivered.
5. Assist in performance management and data analysis, promoting quality practice and service delivery, ensuring continuous improvement.
6. Assist in the identification, evaluation and implementation of processes, technology and systems to enhance project and service delivery.
7. Establish and maintain a library of documents and information to enable the effective management of projects and programmes.
8. Assist in the preparation of reports and presentations.
9. Liaise, negotiate and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders including managers, employees, councillors and partnership agencies as required to ensure the effective delivery of projects.
10. Keep abreast of local and national developments to enhance projects accordingly, to satisfy internal and external demands.
11. Comply with all health and safety regulations, legal requirements, statutory requirements, standing orders and financial regulations of the Council.
12. Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role as requested by management.

Please ensure you demonstrate how you meet the following criteria in your application:

Education and Training

1. Relevant Project/Programme Management Training OR substantial demonstrable experience working in a project management environment.
2. Substantial experience of supporting delivery of projects to fruition.
3. Experience of working in a project management environment.
4. Experience of utilising formal project management methodologies.
5. Experience of continuous service improvement with strong enthusiasm for improving service delivery.
6. Experience of advising and negotiating with a cross section of stakeholders.
7. Experience of presenting information verbally or in writing.
8. Experience of undertaking formal presentations and briefing sessions.

Skills and Abilities

1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work with officers at all levels and provide advice and guidance on a range of issues.
2. Skilled in the creation of documentation and presentation materials to support service delivery.
3. Ability to research, collate and analyse data or information and produce reports of the findings.
4. Good organisation and time management skills with the ability to work under pressure, prioritising workloads and ensuring deadlines are met.
5. Ability to work both as an individual and as part of a team.

General and Special Knowledge

1. Knowledge of working in a children's services environment relating to transformation.
2. Knowledge of recognised project management methodology.
3. Working knowledge of services within the council and key partners.
4. Working knowledge of Microsoft applications.
5. Knowledge of the pressures facing children's social care or related services.

Additional Requirements

1. Willing to work flexibly in accordance with policies and procedures to meet the operational needs of the council.
2. Willing to undertake training and continuous professional development in connection with the post.
3. Work in accordance with our values and behaviours, as part of an inclusive and high-performing council.
4. Able to undertake any travel in connection with the post.

You must have:

1. Enhanced DBS/Update service.
2. References required for the last 5 years of employment.

Benefits of working with Semester.co.uk:

1. Free on-going training opportunities upon registering as part of our commitment to you.
2. Competitive Rates of pay.
3. In house payroll, providing weekly payments and support.
4. Enhanced DBS completed.
5. Support and expert advice from an approachable, dedicated and friendly team.
6. An assigned dedicated & experienced consultant.
7. Various employment opportunities in your preferred geographical area.

If you would like to find out more information about this role, or the other opportunities Semester.co.uk have available feel free to click the 'Apply' button below.