Senior Project Support Officer SW - 29732

Job Description

We value a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community wishing to join a workforce which embraces difference and welcomes everyone.

Do you want to be involved in exciting flood risk projects across Southwest England?

In this role, within integrated project teams, you will provide support to a community of Project Support Officers (PSOs), undertaking inductions, training, managing workloads and working closely with Project Team Managers to develop the PSO portfolio across our hub.

Communication, teamwork and organisation skills are essential for supporting our project teams and co-ordinating the PSO cohort, giving them the guidance they need to handle project information efficiently and accurately. In this valued role, you will gain in-depth understanding of large-scale projects that are having a positive effect across the country.

You will be a key part of a collaborative working group that includes our supply partners, client representatives, and other technical specialists. You will be involved in a range of activities such as data management, researching flood risk areas, setting up new projects, using systems and processes to help manage projects, attend site visits and public exhibition meetings whilst learning how our teams apply legislation, policy and guidance to deliver benefits to communities and the environment.

This dynamic role is ideal for anyone with experience in the project delivery environment but wishes to develop project management skills. This role also allows the postholder to explore other skills such as leadership and resourcing.

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training, and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.

The team

We are Programme and Contract Management (PCM), creating a better place through excellence in project and programme management. Our teams provide the Environment Agency with an effective project and programme management service. Our well-qualified staff manage projects throughout their lifecycle to deliver flood risk management, environmental improvements, and shared ownership with local communities. Although dispersed through offices across the region we create collaborative spaces to share learning and develop our people.

Experience/skills Required

This role is ideal for anyone who has experience co-ordinating teams or groups to deliver a project or portfolio of work. This role also offers the chance to develop leadership and/or project management skills.

Essential:

Experience co-ordinating workload of a group of people, potentially in a leadership or supervisory role.

Experience of working in a formal project environment.

Analytical skills, including finance and personal data handling, and report writing experience.

Excellent communication skills in a customer or stakeholder facing capacity, with experience of conflict resolution.

Experienced in working to deadlines and task prioritisation.

Driving / vehicle licence required or means of accessing remote project sites.

Experience of using Microsoft office tools, including Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Desirable:

• Qualification (eg degree) in engineering, environmental or geography related discipline.
• Experience managing contracts.
• Project management qualification (eg PRINCE2 or APM)
• Experience using project planning tools such as Microsoft Project.
  
  
  

Contact and additional information

Benefits include generous pension provision and leave entitlement. We support a healthy work/life balance and offer numerous choices to accommodate this, including flexible working and employee assistance programme. Excellent training and learning opportunities provided. Please see the candidate pack for more information.

This post will be fulfilled from the Exeter office, though it will require regular travel to other hub offices where the PSO team are based as well as project sites and project team meetings in other Agency and Supply Partner offices. Occasional overnight stays may be necessary.

Candidate assessment will be based on answers to capability questions, asked on initial written application and, if successful, interview stage.

For further information please contact [email protected]

Interviews scheduled: w/c 25/11/24

Competence 1

Works in Teams

Description

Works co-operatively as part of a team to achieve common goals.

When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.

CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection.

Question: Tell us about a time you had to co-ordinate and guide the team to ensure they worked successfully together to deliver a project or outcome.

Competence 2

Communicates Effectively

Description

Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.

When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.

CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection.

Question: Describe a situation when you have had to explain information to other people not familiar with the topic you needed to discuss.

Competence 3

Builds and Sustains Relationships

Description

Develops and maintains effective working relationships.

When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.

CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection.

Question: Using a specific example or examples, explain how you have forged key relationships to help achieve a successful outcome, which would be difficult without the support of others.

Role specific license requirements

Driving Licence

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.