Project & Programme Support Officer

Gloucestershire County Council; Gloucester; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in Gloucester is seeking a project and programme support officer to assist with the Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service Transformation Programme. The ideal candidate will have experience in project management tools and strong communication skills to work closely with diverse teams, ensuring objectives are met. This role offers hybrid working arrangements and numerous benefits, including a supportive work environment and career advancement opportunities.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

25.5 days annual leave

Career development opportunities

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in project and programme management tools and techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build relationships at various levels.
• Capacity to work independently and manage tasks efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Support the GFRS Transformation Programme by assisting the programme team.
• Ensure corporate standards for programme governance are met.
• Collaborate with operational experts and project managers.

Skills

Project management tools

Communication skills

Creative problem-solving

Stakeholder relationship building

Job description

We are looking to appoint a project and programme support officer who is enthusiastic and self‑motivated to support our Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service Transformation Programme. Since our inspection by HMICFRS in 2021, Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service (GFRS) had led significant work to improve its organisational culture and operational delivery through the GFRS Transformation Programme. Following a re‑inspection in 2023, the service has refreshed its action plan for progressive and sustainable improvement of GFRS. Working closely with colleagues across GFRS, with support of other Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) services, you will assist the programme team in ensuring that corporate standards for programme governance are met and the objectives of the programme are successfully delivered. To do this, you will be working closely with operational experts within GFRS but will also be joining a supportive team of project and change management professionals within the Transformation team, who drive transformation and change across the council.

To be successful, you will need experience of applying project and programme management tools and techniques, including producing reports and project plans. You'll also need to bring your flexibility and creative problem‑solving skills to support delivery of objectives and resolution of issues within tight timescales. You will need to use your excellent ability to communicate and build relationships with stakeholders at different levels to ensure a collaborative approach to delivery, whilst also regularly working to your own initiative to focus on the task in hand.

We want to be an employer of choice, attracting and retaining excellent people to work for us, so that we can best serve all of Gloucestershire's diverse communities. Our promise to you is that we will provide an inclusive and supportive working environment that enables you to bring your whole self to work and realise your full potential. It is a legal requirement, under the Immigration Act 2016, that anyone appointed to a 'customer facing role' must be able to demonstrate an ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in fluent English. Hybrid working arrangements are available for the majority of our roles, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice, with a mix of both remote and office working.

This role will require regular onsite working at our GFRS Headquarters in Gloucester, as well as occasional visits to our fire stations across the county.

For all your hard work, you will receive the following:

Benefits

• Flexible and agile working opportunities
• 25.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years continuous service
• An option to purchase 10 days of additional leave per year (pro rata for part‑time staff)
• Family friendly employer offering benefits to help support you and your family
• Career development and qualification opportunities
• Supportive and positive working environment with regular, robust supervision
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that provides free, confidential counselling and advice for employees, available 24 hours a day, online and by telephone.
• An in‑house Occupational Health service
• Employee discount scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Gloucestershire Salary Sacrifice Green Car Scheme (T&Cs apply)
• Links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) network and the Young Employees Network