Project Officer (CityParks - Allotments)

Package Description

Cityparks are looking for a fabulous independent, experienced Project Officer, to implement and carry out an array of wonderful projects linked primarily to the Allotment Service.  We need you to implementing the Allotment Strategy, consultations and oversee changes to the Allotment Service. As one of seven project officers, you will ensure; quality, efficiency and value for money at all times. 

You will be working with a successful team who have secured on average over £800,000 of external money each year for the last ten years. This includes the £1.2 million which transformed The Level Park and £3.5 million that is currently restoring 20 hectares of Stanmer Park.

You will need to have in-depth experience of handling multiple projects simultaneous from concept to completion, whilst sometimes in demanding and challenging environments.

Key skills include:

• Proven knowledge of contract and project management skills.
• Experience of Health and Safety when working in the public domain.
• Excellent financial management, fundraising and budgeting skills.
• High level of political sensitivity.
• Understanding Corporate Risk and reputation.

Job Introduction

Cityparks is in a critical period of its evolution and you will be central to their growth and future success. Guided by our 2017 Open Spaces Strategy you will be overseeing the delivery of hard and soft land-based projects across the city ranging from new paths to new planting borders, new toilets to historic interpretation, new fences to cycle-parking and much, much, more. If you have initiative and motivation, if you can deliver the bigger vision, if have the proven track record of success; then maybe, we need you.

Your main duties will include to:

• Lead on delivering the allotment Consultation and implementing outcomes and findings from the consultation
• Support the Parks Projects and Strategy Manager in implementing delivery of the Open Spaces Strategy.
• Lead and manage grant applications and subsequent delivery of small and large scale capital and revenue projects across our open spaces.

For a full scope of the Open Spaces Strategy, please see the PDF attachment.

In addition you will need to:

• To work with Procurement to identify frameworks, develop tenders and procure services and ensure best value and efficiency.
• To manage contractors responsible for elements of project delivery and the budgets allocated to them.
• Provide support for the Planning Service to identify and implement developer’s contributions for our parks, gardens and open spaces, ensuring maximum benefit and efficiency from these.
• Responsible for project support administration such as monitoring of budgets, highlighting risks to management, organising project board meetings, preparing agendas, background papers for discussion, taking minutes and providing further information at meetings.

Fixed term for: One Years

Please note that this post will require officer to work in inclement weather and traverse steep or uneven ground on occasion.

For an informal discussion, please contact Paul Campbell  -  Parks Projects and Strategy Manager on, 07816 753 581.

As part of your application, you will need to upload your CV and answers to some shortlisting questions. Your answers to the shortlisting questions are the most important part of your application as they will be used in the shortlisting process to assess whether you meet the essential requirements for the role that are set out in the person specification and to decide whether you should be offered an interview. Before you start your application, please read our guidance here (CV guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk) and Shortlisting questions guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk)) as this gives important advice which will increase your chance of success in the shortlisting process. When providing examples please use the Challenge, Action, Result response method.  This is where you explain the what the situation or challenge was, what action you took and what the result was.

Job Details

Candidates will be shortlisted based on:

1. Their responses to the Branching Questions
2. Their relevant work experience and
3. Their relevant qualifications related for the role

Additional Information

Company Information

Encouraging a diverse workforce

Our city is known and loved for its diversity. Not only is the mixture of people, culture and skills vital to the economic and social development of the city, it's what makes Brighton & Hove such a great place to live, work and visit. We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities we serve so we welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. In order to achieve our aims of proportionate representation, we particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, male or trans.

Find out more about our commitment to being a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone can achieve their potential by reading about our fair and inclusive actions, our anti-racism strategy and the work we are doing to encourage a diverse workforce (brighton-hove.gov.uk).

We welcome applications from all sections of the community but particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, LGB, female or trans as these groups are currently under-represented in our Directorate workforce.