Project Coordinator (Growing Communities)

Employer Location: DOWN

Job description

To be responsible to the Community Parks Outreach Manager for the coordination of city wide/ thematic projects which require effective community and neighbourhood working with individual residents, community groups and a range of other stakeholders. To coordinate, develop and deliver a project portfolio which promotes the involvement of people in service provision and development across the City and Neighbourhood Services Department. To deliver projects to the agreed deadline taking into account the needs of the council, communities and relevant stakeholders. To establish community involvement engagement and ownership (as appropriate) of the projects whilst building effective working arrangements with parks management staff, volunteers and partner organisations to deliver the projects. To establish a work programme for each project which identifies the actions to be completed, timescales involved and the relevant owners for successful completion, continually documenting and reviewing the project development through ongoing evaluation. To actively contribute to the service objectives, work programmes, consequential expenditure and budget control.

Responsibilities

• To coordinate the overall management of the growing projects.
• To be responsible for establishing and developing community involvement at all levels: (i.e. information; education, participation; engagement; enablement and ownership within projects).
• To be responsible for coordinating the administration, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the project/s to deadline by producing an agreed programme of work.
• To coordinate all events, including planning, organisation, marketing and administration related to the project and liaise with Marketing and Communications to produce in line with corporate guidance.
• To coordinate and supervise horticultural tasks onsite and liaise with Parks management to coordinate operational involvement and actions relating to the project.
• To be responsible for the management, programming and delivery of educational and promotional visits, activities or exchanges relating to the project.
• To deliver and establish a pool of trained facilitators to deliver educational sessions when requested (e.g. prospective allotment holders; schools, communities or partner organisations) in conjunction with the Community Parks Outreach Manager.
• To liaise with external stakeholders to coordinate delivery of the projects through partnership working.
• To establish recording systems to suit the needs of the project and coordinate the collation of data information using existing business support and systems.
• To manage all budgets relevant to the project and provide all financial reporting reports to the budget holder.
• To keep under review new developments in all fields relevant to the posts responsibilities/ projects involved and to make recommendations as appropriate.
• To take responsibility for the day to day management, motivation and development of all allocated staff and non-council project staff as required.
• To ensure enforcement of Council Parks and Cemeteries bye-laws.
• To coordinate with the relevant officers to deal with vandalism, anti-social behaviour and other pertinent incidents affecting the project/s.
• To train and facilitate learning through each project and to promote good practice and good relations.
• To manage the allocation, use, maintenance, safekeeping and transport of tools, equipment, vehicles, machinery, plant and stock.
• To carry out risk assessments and ensure all work is carried out in compliance with all health and safety regulations and adherence to site risk assessments.
• To participate in the formation and evaluation of product specifications and tenders and monitor delivery where relevant.
• To ensure the provision of advice and information is available to deal appropriately where possible with all queries and complaints in particular from the general public, elected members and senior council staff.
• To represent the Community Parks Outreach Managers after completion of relevant internal pre-requisites, and cover for other Community Parks Supervisors as and when required.
• To participate as directed in the councils selection interview procedure.
• To act in accordance with the council and departmental policies and procedures including customer care, equal opportunities, health and safety and any pertinent legislation.
• To participate in all induction and training provided by Belfast City Council and in the induction and support of all newly appointed staff and other human resource management procedures as appropriate.
• To undertake the duties in such a way as to enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of the council.
• To undertake such other relevant duties as may from time to time be required.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Applicants must, as at the closing date for receipt of application forms.
• Be able to demonstrate on the application form, by providing personal and specific examples, at least one years relevant work experience in each of the following areas.
• Managing projects or services, including the provision of services or events, to significant deadlines; and
• undertaking community engagement or involvement activities and developing networks or partnerships.
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate, by providing personal and specific examples, that they possess the following skills and attributes.
• Oral and written presentation and communication skills.
• The ability to lead, develop, manage and motivate teams, including responsibility for the performance of people management.
• The ability to coordinate and manage all operational aspects of the provision of parks services demonstrating excellent knowledge of such services with the ability to anticipate new developments and trends and to deliver service.
• The ability to understand and apply customer care principles with the ability to show personal commitment to local democracy and to be proactive in promoting the councils image, reinforcing its values and objectives.
• The ability to formulate, manage and control budgets and resources.
• The ability to deal with sensitive issues using political awareness and sensitivity, when working with elected members, senior managers and representatives of outside organisations.
• The ability to apply the principles of Best Value and performance management and to contribute to the formulation of departmental objectives which meet the councils corporate and strategic aims.
• The ability to manage change, influencing and persuading others and ensuring that changes are implemented.

Further Information

Candidate should have environmental, horticultural or growing project experience.