Project Support Officer
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Project Support Officer to join the Health Informatics team at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. This Band 5 role will provide high quality, proactive project support for digital project initiatives across the Trust. We are looking for someone who is highly organised, confident working with a range of stakeholders and able to support effective project governance, reporting, planning and coordination. The role would suit someone with experience of project, programme or business support who is motivated by helping teams deliver safe, effective and well-governed digital change for patients, staff and services.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will support the PMO and project teams with the coordination and delivery support of digital programmes and projects. This will include maintaining project plans, trackers, dashboards, action logs, risk and issue logs, benefits information and other project documentation. They will support monthly reporting, collate updates from project teams, assist with preparation for Project Board and portfolio reporting, and help ensure project information is accurate, complete and up to date. The role will also involve coordinating meetings and governance arrangements, preparing agendas and papers, taking accurate minutes, recording decisions and actions, monitoring follow-up and supporting effective communication with internal and external stakeholders.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Project Support Officer will support the PMO Manager, Project Managers and programme/project leads to deliver high quality, proactive project support for digital initiatives across the Trust. The post holder will act as a key point of contact for managers and staff in relation to project delivery status, project documentation and governance processes. The role will include monitoring and tracking project plans, action logs, risks, issues, dependencies, lessons learned and benefits information. The post holder will assist with the development and maintenance of project trackers, dashboards, process diagrams, reports and governance documentation, ensuring information is accurate, complete and available to support decision-making. They will coordinate monthly updates from project teams, support preparation of reports for Project Board and portfolio meetings, and help maintain consistent document management standards across the project portfolio. The post holder will provide project coordination and governance support for board and team-level meetings, including organising meetings, preparing and distributing papers, taking accurate minutes, capturing decisions and actions, and following up progress against agreed actions. They will also support project communications, stakeholder engagement, training coordination and project workshops that enable effective implementation and delivery.
The role requires excellent organisational, communication and prioritisation skills and the ability to work with clinical, operational, technical, managerial and supplier stakeholders. The post holder will contribute to best practice programme and project methodology, continuous improvement within the PMO and effective delivery of digital change that supports patients, staff, managers and clinicians.
Person Specification
Special Requirements
- Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post. Presents a professional image at all times.
Qualifications
- Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject, or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area. Evidence of relevant learning or development in project support, programme support, governance, business support, coordination or service improvement.
- PRINCE2 Foundation, Managing Successful Programmes Foundation, P3O Foundation or recognised industry equivalent qualification, or experience within the areas outlined. Microsoft 365/SharePoint or MS Project training would be useful.
Experience
- Experience of programme or project management support, business support, project coordination or governance support in a challenging and changing environment. Experience of working in a process-driven environment and in accordance with governance. Experience of maintaining project documentation, plans, trackers, action logs, risk and issue logs and reports. Experience of taking effective minutes, including accurate records of decisions and actions. Demonstrable experience of using Microsoft Office.
- Experience of working in a Programme or Project Management Office. Experience of working within an NHS environment. Experience of using Microsoft 365/SharePoint or MS Project. Experience of supporting group discussions, collaborative working, workshops, training sessions or project events.
Special Skills & Knowledge
- Good communication skills, both verbal and written. Strong organisational skills and ability to work in a structured way. Ability to prioritise effectively, use initiative and work productively without high levels of supervision. Standard keyboard skills and confident use of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Awareness of formal programme and project management methodologies. Knowledge of data protection, Caldicott principles and the need to maintain confidentiality. Ability to work well under pressure and contribute positively within a team environment.
- Knowledge of Microsoft 365/SharePoint or MS Project. Understanding of broad NHS roles, responsibilities, structures and processes. Ability to demonstrate sound judgement and common sense when problem solving. Able to facilitate group discussions, encourage participation and support collaborative working.
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/