Job Title:

Senior Project Management Officer

Job Grade:

Band 5

Directorate:

People and Transformation

Job Reference Number:

P01275

The Role To support Project, Programme or Portfolio Managers to deliver their projects and programmes. To manage the delivery of small uncomplicated projects. To provide practical support and advice on project management methodologies across the Transformation Unit and ECC.

Job Purpose Supporting a Project or Programme Manager. Key Accountabilities To provide support within an agreed remit: 

To provide high levels of support and input into the development of large and/or complex projects or programmes.



To provide project management support across multiple large and/or complex projects or programmes.



To support the Project or Programme Manager to identify and manage dependencies and inter-dependencies between projects and across programmes.



To support the Project or Programme Manager to identify, specify and manage SMART objectives that enable the business to realise the full benefits required.



To control specified tasks or work-streams and take independent remedial action to ensure milestone delivery, including resolving issues with or amongst key stakeholders. To escalate issues which are beyond the agreed limits of responsibility.



To provide advice on the resolution of complex project management issues, offering a range of alternative solutions to the identified issues.



To provide a comprehensive overview of a project or programme that is independent of other project staff, enables the implications of the work to be understood, and provides a challenge role to those directly involved.



To formally mentor Band 4 PMOs and less experienced Project Managers.



To draft project governance documentation for the Project or Programme manager to approve, and assist them through the governance process as required.



To scope, research and cost different options, in order to support Project or Programme Managers to produce business cases.



To monitor project progress with respect to time, cost, quality and scope.



To advise on progress being made and any corrective action taken to ensure milestones are achieved and deliverables are of the correct quality.



To pro-actively seek out information to enable accurate and timely reporting to the Project or Programme Manager, such that issues are identified early and prompt actions taken for resolution or escalation.



To ensure required actions are recorded and progressed as agreed, escalating issues to the Project or Programme Manager, or where needed, directly to the Portfolio Manager.



To provide project status reporting information for a Project or Programme Manager to present to their Portfolio Manager.



To facilitate project meetings, workshops and reviews, preparing presentations as required.



To deputise, in the short-term only, for an absent Project or Programme Manager.



To develop and maintain effective communication and engagement with all stakeholders.



To liaise with the Business Owner and other key stakeholders as directed by the Project or Programme Manager.



To create and maintain project management documentation to appropriate standards including: project plans (in Microsoft Project or equivalent), management reports, and risk, issue and change logs.



To ensure that information is organised in a systematic fashion to enable auditors/inspectors to perform an audit trail through a project’s life-cycle.



To act as custodian of all master copies of project products. Supporting a Portfolio Manager

 

To gather, produce and present status reporting information for a number of projects or programmes. To undertake a quality assurance role with regards to project or programme delivery, and advising the Portfolio Manager as to the issues raised. Running small projects:



To take responsibility for delivering small projects as required, under the guidance/authority of a senior manager, ensuring adherence to all Transformation Support Unit requirements throughout the project life-cycle. Transformation Unit Development:

 

To provide advice and support on project management techniques. To develop and implement project/programme management tools to support the TSU to deliver an effective and efficient service within ECC.  To perform independent reviews of projects/programmes (peer reviews) to ensure that standards are being followed in an acceptable manner. Other      

To ensure all aspects of Essex County Council’s policies and procedures are adhered to. To maintain a sound understanding and awareness of new and emerging project/programme management methodologies to ensure that project governance and management processes reflect best industry practice. To take on any other activity that could be reasonably expected of the role holder To undertake CPD. Health and safety Required to be independently mobile throughout Essex.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

A relevant degree and/or alternative professional qualification, or equivalent by experience.



Evidence of Continuing Professional Development



Experience of successfully contributing to a wide range of change management projects and programmes of work within a Local Authority or other large and complex organisation.



Can demonstrate a theoretical knowledge and understanding of the technical, behavioural and contextual elements of project management as could be practised within a number of different projects and small programmes of work and can evaluate their value to such projects/programmes.



Level 3: Good skill level, able to use discretion to resolve unexpected/non-routine problems and can identify when issues need to be escalated in respect of: o Communication and team work o Project lifecycles, governance o Methods and procedures. o Information management and reporting. o Configuration management.



Level 4; Able to resolve complex problems in a variety of contexts and to provide guidance to others in respect of: o IT skills (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project) Non-essential



Level 2: Able to use the following skills where minor discretion is required in resolving unexpected/non-routine problems in respect of: o Project delivery

Values and Behaviours Customer Focused & Proactive Working together we proactively engage with our customers and listen to their needs in order to continuously improve our service      

Develops and delivers effective systems that enable the delivery of a quality customer service Uses customer insight to create an environment where customer service is valued, recognised and seen as a priority Proactively engage with our customers to deliver innovative and exceptional service. Make decisions that are mutually beneficial to the customer and the authority Use customer feedback to understand “what good looks like” to improve service delivery & measure performance Identify key measurable targets to continuously improve customer satisfaction

Enabling & Empowering Working together, we provide confidence and trust to support the delivery of the right services for our customers.  Creates an environment that promotes self-development, openness and innovation  Delegate effectively in order to achieve greater empowerment and accountability within set clear parameters  Create a culture through personal behaviours that promotes inclusion  Demonstrates an understanding of the political environment and makes decisions / takes action appropriately  Communicates openly with others to improve levels of understanding and engagement Effective & Efficient Working together we will achieve our objectives in the best possible way, so that we deliver the results that make the biggest difference to the people we serve.  Continually seeks new ways to introduce best practice in order to reduce duplication, bureaucracy and waste  Develop and implement new ways of working to stretch performance, improve efficiency and deliver value for money  Empowers others to innovate and challenge current practices  Takes ownership for the implementation of corporate initiatives to help deliver change and continuous improvement

Safeguarding 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. Pre-Employment Checks appropriate to this Job Profile Essex County Council (ECC) is committed to ensuring all recruitment is undertaken fairly, effectively, safely and in accordance with legislation. The information below provides pre-employment screening guidance for candidates applying to this job at Essex County Council. Role Requirement: Not working with children or vulnerable adults and with no access to sensitive information relating to children or vulnerable adults Pre-Employment Check Self Declaration (Unspent convictions only) References

Definition A declaration of unspent convictions must be completed by all employees who do not work directly with vulnerable adults or children A minimum of two employer references will be required -one of which must be the last employer. Any gaps of 4 weeks or more will be explored by the manager at interview stage. Where appropriate additional character references will be taken up

Medical

All new recruits and employees whose role changes significantly are required to complete a medical health questionnaire

Eligibility / Right to work in the UK Regulatory qualifications and professional registration (subject to role)

Proof is required and original documentation will be sought i.e. passport or full birth certificate Original qualification certificates and proof of registration with a professional body is required (if applicable)