At a Glance
- Tasks: Support project managers with reports, meetings, and documentation to ensure projects run smoothly.
- Company: Join Braintree District Council, a forward-thinking authority dedicated to community growth and well-being.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, free parking, a local government pension, and wellness programmes.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making a real impact in a rapidly growing district.
- Qualifications: Ideal candidates are organised, proactive, and have strong IT and communication skills.
- Other info: This is a fixed-term role for 12 months, perfect for gaining valuable experience.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 25000 £ per year.
Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to support Braintree Council in recruiting this Project Support Officer role.
The Opportunity:
We have an exciting opportunity for a Project Support Officer to join our Strategic Investment team on a fixed term period of 12 months, where you will work closely with Project Managers on a range of new and existing projects, providing support to ensure they are delivered on time and within budget. The role will involve preparing standard reports, including data management and analysis, dashboards, and file structures. You will also arrange meetings, coordinate any information required, take minutes, and provide quality assurance documentation by completing audit reviews, health checks, and configuration management. Alongside this, you will manage a high volume of telephone and email correspondence and provide management reporting information to support the team in successfully delivering projects.
Experience:
With the ability to work as part of a team in a busy environment, you will be highly organised and proactive in your approach, able to manage, balance, and meet challenging deadlines in an ever-changing environment. You will have excellent IT skills, ideally some experience of working on projects, good communication skills, and the ability to use your initiative to make suggestions and improvements to ways of working.
Accountabilities:
- Provide project-related support to the Strategic Investment team including preparing standard reports, dashboards, file structures, arranging meetings, and maintaining project-related records.
- Provide reports on information management, data management, and data analysis.
- Conduct RAG reporting and data validation.
- Oversee the coordination of issues; risks, change control, documentation, and any other logs that need control including procurement.
- Provide quality assurance documentation by completing audits, reviews, health checks, checking gateways, and configuration management.
- Create and update Excel spreadsheets and Word documents.
- Arrange project meetings, take minutes, and coordinate any necessary information required for each meeting.
- Answer general telephone enquiries.
- Arrange project appointments and meetings internally and externally on behalf of other officers.
Why choose Braintree District Council?
Braintree District Council is an ambitious and forward-thinking authority with a vision of creating a great place for our residents and businesses. As a Council, our role is as a guardian of the place and its people; where residents live well in healthy and resilient communities; a well-connected district with high-quality homes delivered with the infrastructure and a place which attracts and provides good employment opportunities. We are becoming one of the fastest growing Districts in the East of England with three growing towns, London just 45 minutes away, and the district located directly between the international transport centres of Stansted Airport and Harwich and Felixstowe International Ports. We have a deserved track record for delivering and a strong reputation within the business community. Braintree District Council is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on our creative and innovative approach which is led by our staff. We are committed to having an engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it.
Some of the benefits of working for Braintree District Council are:
- Flexible working
- Hybrid working arrangements are available in this role (home/office based) subject to business need
- Free parking
- Local government pension scheme
- Learning and development for all staff
- Staff recognition schemes
- Extensive health and wellbeing programme including discounted gym membership.
Closing date for receipt of applications: Midnight on Wednesday 19th March
Please Note – Essex County Council is advertising this role on behalf of Braintree District Council and if successful you will be employed by Braintree District Council.
Project Support Officer – Braintree District Council employer: Essex County Counci
Contact Detail:
Essex County Counci Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Support Officer – Braintree District Council
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with project management tools and methodologies. Understanding frameworks like Agile or PRINCE2 can give you an edge, as these are often used in project support roles.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your data management skills, especially in Excel. Being able to create dashboards and perform data analysis will be crucial for the role, so consider taking a short online course if needed.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees of Braintree District Council. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your organisational skills and how you've managed multiple tasks in previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to meet deadlines and handle correspondence effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Support Officer – Braintree District Council
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Project Support Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences that align with these expectations.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your organisational skills, IT proficiency, and experience in project support. Provide specific examples of how you've successfully managed deadlines, coordinated meetings, or prepared reports in previous roles.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that showcases your enthusiasm for the role and the council. Mention why you want to work for Braintree District Council and how your values align with their vision.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for the Project Support Officer role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Counci
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Project Support Officer. Familiarise yourself with project management terminology and the specific tasks mentioned in the job description, such as preparing reports and conducting audits.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Since the role requires excellent organisational abilities, be prepared to discuss examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed multiple tasks or projects simultaneously. Highlight any tools or methods you used to stay organised.
✨Demonstrate Communication Proficiency
Effective communication is key in this role. Be ready to provide examples of how you've effectively communicated with team members or stakeholders in previous positions. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenges. Think of scenarios where you had to manage tight deadlines or resolve conflicts within a team, and be ready to explain your approach and the outcomes.