***This role is part-funded by European Social Fund (ESF)***

The PURE project is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and is now in its second phase of delivery. The project continues to bring together a range of coordinated interventions which will assist the needs of vulnerable Birmingham Citizens. The project will continue to deliver to vulnerable people aged 29 + with multiple and complex barriers who, because of their vulnerability are distant from the labour market. As part of its second phase of delivery, the project team was successful in securing additional funds to grow the existing team to cater for the additional demand in the service and ensure delivery. The PURE project is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and is now in its second phase of delivery. The project continues to bring together a range of coordinated interventions which will assist the needs of vulnerable Birmingham Citizens. The project will continue to deliver to vulnerable people aged 29 + with multiple and complex barriers who, because of their vulnerability are distant from the labour market. As part of its second phase of delivery, the project team was successful in securing additional funds to grow the existing team to cater for the additional demand in the service and ensure delivery.

The post holder will support the project in undertaking project specific activities in relation to the successful delivery of the programme to ensure key deliverables and KPI’s are met in a challenging environment. The post holder will support the delivery of the project with focus on the monitoring of the external providers and ensuring that they deliver against their agreed targets. The post holder will also give specialist advice & guidance and support to the contract manager and external partners and providers on compliance with ESF rules and regulations. The post will provide key assistance to the Finance and Monitoring officer and support in areas where pressure points and bottlenecks are being created. Experience in working in a challenging environment, understanding of EU policy and procedures is preferred but not essential.

Job Purpose:

1.1 To be responsible for the delivery of high quality, customer focused junior project management, using Prince 2 methodology to deliver smaller scale projects to time, cost and quality through effective and clear planning, strong governance and reporting, and proactive risk, issue and dependency management.

1.2 To undertake and coordinate, on a day to day basis, all aspects of ESF administration relating to the City Council’s contract with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) for ESF funding.

2.0 Key Responsibilities

2.1 Junior project manage the delivery of smaller scale projects, or support key work streams of high complex projects, bringing structure and clear planning, and coordination, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the appropriate quality in accordance with the customer’s requirements and expectations.

2.2 Support clear scoping of smaller projects by defining purpose and benefits, setting up and servicing project governance with well-defined roles and responsibilities, develop project plan with key milestones and deliverables, undertake resource planning, and identify risks, issues and dependencies

2.3 Facilitate and manage small multi-disciplinary project teams which may include some of the following front line Business, HR, Finance, Legal, Property, IT, Procurement, Communications etc to ensure collaboration with Subject Matter Experts to correctly plan timescales and resources, and identify and manage risks and issues to avoid show-stoppers

2.4 Develop strong project plans alongside, and in collaboration with, relevant Subject Matter Experts, with effective sequencing of activity to develop critical path, with realistic lead in times, clear owners and deadlines

2.5 Provide project reporting for governance meeting, including progress against plan, benefits being realised, costs being monitored, any issues, risk and dependencies highlighted and clear actions to mitigate noted

2.6 Identify, collate, escalate, mitigate, track and record all risks, issues, and interdependencies, determining owners to ensure successful delivery, using risk registers, issues registers and dependency logs, understanding escalation routes .

2.7 Identify, collate, escalate and track any potential issues or risks that could effect the progression of the project and to communicate these items with the Project Manager, and work to identify potential solutions, using risk registers, issues registers and understanding escalation routes .

2.8 Support the development of process maps and other tools to present clearly and effectively customer demand, statutory policy, working processes and procedures, systems utilised and skills sets required informing lean thinking and redesigning options.

2.9 Gather, analyse and interpret data and analysis from various sources, qualitative and quantitative, supporting the Finance and Monitoring Officer in developing evidence based future options, with effective communication and engagement throughout

2.10 Understand the continuing development of an organizational culture which is customer focused, performance driven and committed to continuous improvement and which assists in the development and operational delivery of the services provided by Birmingham City Council.

2.11.1 Undertake other duties that are commensurate with the nature and grade of the post as directed by the Project Manager.

2.11.2 Adhering to and implementing the City Council’s policies and procedures, including those around equalities and diversity.

Experience:

Proven track record and an aptitude to work on, and manage, service improvement and projects across numerous areas of business

Experience of utilising project methodologies, tools and techniques to scope and manage projects, including setting up project governance, developing project plans and monitoring its progress, coordinating activity and effective risk and issue management

Experience of utilising business process and organisation design techniques to map business process activity to financial information, and system requirements and organisation design

Experience of identifying, mitigating and managing risks and issues to ensure project progress Proven track record to collate, assimilate and analyse complex information quickly to inform objective decisions and to identify critical issues

Significant experience of building effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders and influencing at all levels and areas of the business, including partners

Proven experience of showing organisation skills working in a pressurised environment, with various conflicting priorities Demonstrated understanding of the challenges facing Local Government and Partners, and the statutory and national policies, procedures and changes influencing the future provision of services

Skills & Ability :

Ability to work on own initiative with a pro-active approach to all tasks, including an ability to plan ahead to ensure business objectives are met.

Excellent ability to build effective, credible, working relationships internally and externally

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to listen, promote a positive image and write clear and concise reports

Excellent personal organisation skills in managing individual and team work and time within agreed priorities and timescales

Very effective IT skills using Microsoft office packages such as Visio, Excel and PowerPoint

Ability to inspire, motivate and drive colleagues and partners towards key outcomes and continuous improvement

Training:

Willingness to undertake on-going continuous professional development, participate in regular supervisions, appraisals and take responsibility for own learning and development needs.

Please demonstrate how you meet the skills/experience/ability detailed in the person specification.

Interviews for this post will take place virtually via video conferencing. Shortlisted candidates will be provided with further information.

For informal enquires please contact Mina Patel, ESF Finance and Monitoring Officer; mina.patel@birmingham.gov.uk

Ref: BCC002131

We welcome applications from people with caring responsibilities and flexible working options will be considered.

Right to work in the UK documentation will be fully checked for all applicants.  All non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) may require a Certificate of Sponsorship from Birmingham City Council and must have an approved visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) before any employment offer can be confirmed. Unless they are an EEA or Swiss citizen or their family members, already living in the UK by 31 December 2020, then they will need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) instead.