Project Support Officer

**Job Introduction**:
Working for the Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with some great people who are passionate about delivering change in a city whose culture offers as much diversity as it’s geography. You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive.

** About the Role**

As a Project Support Officer, you will play a pivotal role in supporting delivery of projects within the Families First Partnership Programme in Bradford. You will be a part of a new project team specifically set up to deliver the key requirements of Families First; working alongside Family Help Lead Practitioners, Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams and strategic safeguarding partners to ensure seamless delivery of reforms that help families stay together and thrive.

The postholder will demonstrate a self-starting, focused approach to improving the lives of children, young people and families. You will have a passion for supporting on designing services, developing new strategies and a passion for engaging with key stakeholders in order to support the development of an innovative service that meets needs. Above all you will work collaboratively with professionals, whilst maintaining sight of key priorities and deliverables.

Our approach is rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect, and meaningful relationships with children, families, and professionals.

** You’ll also**:

- Actively support the Programme Manager and Senior Responsible Officer in the delivery of agreed programmes / projects, workstreams and focused areas of work relating to the Families First reform.
- Assist with scoping projects and other relevant project management techniques to support the development of deliverable plans, including considering resource requirements, benefits, quality and risks.
- Support the development of project documentation including business cases and bids to deliver effective services against changing demands and external challenge through efficiencies and service improvement.
- Collate and analyse information to draft reports that highlight evidence of progress, transformation / improvement and impact for various audiences and platforms including senior leaders and partners.
- Research, horizon scan and share best practice; ensuring lessons learned are captured and shared.
- Support stakeholder management including liaising with staff and managers within all areas of the Trust and numerous diverse partners throughout the district.
- Co-ordinate the work of individuals, both internally within the Trust and Partners across the system, assigned to Families First projects or related work.
- Solve problems in a measured and creative way, assessing tasks and issues alongside colleagues, and proactively identifying and undertaking activities that are of benefit to the Trust, including contingency planning to ensure confidence in its implementation.
- Support with the development of protocols, strategies and other documentation linked to the implementation of Families First reforms, Early Help & Prevention in Bradford

** To be successful in this role you will need**:
**Education**
- Qualified to NVQ / Diploma level 4 in Project Management or project management qualification e.g. PRINCE 2. and / or proven experience in end-to-end project, or discreet complex work package, delivery.

** Experience**
- Understanding of project management frameworks and methodologies.
- Knowledge of children’s services practice and/or transformation within other public sector settings.
- Supporting projects through scoping, planning, process testing, change implementation, implementation, reviewing and benefits realisation - initiation to completion.
- Strong team player who can work both independently and collaboratively and is able to work operationally to progress competing and changing demands and priorities.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills and actively involves and works with others in the scoping and planning process.
- Support in the identification of risks and establishing appropriate strategies to mitigate against them.
- Use of specialist ICT systems, including project management systems.
- Analytical skills, enabling data and evidence-based solutions to be identified and implemented e.g. finance, risk, value for money, productivity and quantitative data.
- Uses, interprets, analyses, communicates complex numerical information to draft reports and papers for various audiences.
- Significant experience in a similar role within the public sector or similar organisation.

** You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including**:

- Enhanced annual leave entitlement: 31 days rising to 34 with service (plus bank holidays)
- Excellent loc