Active Essex Project Officer

Active Essex is positioned within Essex County Council’s Place and Public Health team and is the strategic lead for sport and physical activity across Essex including Southend and Thurrock. In July 2021, Active Essex launched “Fit for the Future,” a ground-breaking 10-year strategy for physical activity and sport owned by the whole Essex eco-system. We now also published an implement plan for “Fit for the Future,” which clarifies all of our delivery targets across the five strategic priorities and confirms Active Essex commitment to place-based working underpinned by the principles of asset-based community development.

The Project Officer will support place-based working, programmes, data collection, reporting, and grant funding activities across the Active Essex team. The role works collaboratively with stakeholders and supports all aspects of Active Essex’s delivery work to enable grant-funded outcomes to be met, efficiently delivered, and meet the operational team requirements.

Accountabilities

• Responsible for programme/project file management using robust version control and organizing programme/project boards and meetings, together with providing support to ensure efficient operation of day-to-day activities.
• Supports the programme/project teams by being a main point of contact for responses to external requests for information and engaging with both internal and external contacts.
• Supports the team with processing of grant agreements and payments which contribute to the compilation of budget updates while also ensuring updates of other tasks, such as maintaining risk and issue logs and clearly documenting decisions.
• Supports the programme/project team with coordinating and monitoring data of evaluation survey returns from delivery providers and participants.
• Supports the team in organizing meetings, boards, events, and workshops by providing venue hire, catering arrangements, action/minute taking, and attendance tracking, together with providing support to ensure efficient operation of day-to-day activities.
• Support the teams by maintaining appropriate systems to ensure effective planning and scheduling of projects or programmes.
• Support the team by assisting them in maintaining project controls and producing project reports to ensure adequate and regular monitoring of project progress.
• Supports the team by sharing any insights or escalating issues to ensure Relationship and Projects Managers are kept up to date.
• Link with Marketing and Communications to showcase the impact of our work.
• Support place teams and maintain relationships with partners and stakeholders.
• Advocate for equality and diversity in sport and physical activity.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to 'A' level or equivalent by experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Teams and have experience with bespoke CRM systems as well as creative and design software.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in a relevant area.
• Experience in delivering Sport and Physical Activity projects, Public Health, or Community-focused projects within a complex environment.
• Awareness of place-based working, system change, and asset-based approaches in community work.
• Demonstrable understanding of successful project delivery elements.
• Proven collaborative working with partners through high-quality relationships.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) with strong interpersonal, influencing, and negotiating abilities.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
• Experience working effectively within a team environment and liaising professionally with a wide range of contacts.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC), should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.

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.

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