Bluestones Staffing
BSNI are working with Belfast City Council to recruit a Portfolio and Programme Coordinator – Management. This role is temporary.
Target start date
01 Dec 2025
Duration
12 Weeks
Hours per week
37
Rate
PAYE: £29.40 per hour
Job location
Donegall Square, Belfast, BT1 5GS, United Kingdom
Main purpose of job
The post-holder will report to the Portfolio Manager and will be responsible for:
� Provide effective leadership, management and delivery of an agreed portfolio of programmes and projects that contribute to the achievement of the Council�s strategic priorities.
� Assist with the provision of quality support and assurance to political and senior officer leadership on the delivery of agreed programme/project objectives and outcomes, ensuring all allocated budgets are managed efficiently and effectively in accordance with council policies, financial regulations, standing orders and external funding protocols.
� Work across council and with city partners to support the effective delivery of the portfolio of programmes/projects and associated desired outcomes.
� Supervise assigned programme or project-based staff with a focus on effective delivery.
� To support the implementation and sharing of good practice in relation to programme and project management procedures, tools, and techniques.
The post holder will deputise for the Portfolio Manager, as may be required, on matters within the post�s sphere of responsibility.
Summary of responsibilities and personal duties
1. Ensure the effective delivery of an agreed portfolio of programmes/projects that contribute to the achievement of the Council�s strategic priorities and associated outcomes and benefits.
2. Support the establishment and management of appropriate governance, decision-making and delivery structures for programmes or projects as they emerge including all technical standards, systems and processes and ensure they are adhered to.
3. Develop and draft initial project investment business cases where required, with input from other specialists as necessary, develop, implement and manage the upkeep of all wider project documentation.
4. Build and maintain programme and project plan(s), appropriate project principles and provide effective leadership and management to deliver stated objectives. Identify and set appropriate programme and project controls.
5. Track and report delivery against project milestones, costs and quality requirements, drive programme and project tasks to completion in accordance with the agreed programme schedule.
6. Develop, manage, and implement appropriate programme and project performance management frameworks and risk registers, mitigating actions and escalation processes as appropriate allowing key stakeholders to be kept informed of progress against targets.
7. Provide impact assessments for changes in project scope, drive forward decision-making and document changes to deliverables.
8. Assist in the collation and analysis of data and evidence to inform priorities and the production of timely reports, briefings, performance management and financial reports and to attend appropriate programme board, community planning and committee meetings as and when required.
9. Ensure appropriate project assurance and benefit realisation strategies are in place for each project in line with agreed council standards.
10. Identify new and emerging funding opportunities or opportunities to realign existing resources to achieve better outcomes, managing associated budgets as required and ensuring value for money.
11. Monitor and report against programme and project milestones and provide assurance on delivery to senior management, elected members and/or other stakeholders as may be appropriate.
12. Assist in the production of timely committee, briefings, performance management and financial reports and to attend appropriate committees, corporate management teams, programme boards as and when required.
13. Ensure effective programme and project change management processes are in place to agreed standards.
14. Identify and manage synergies and interdependencies between programmes and projects and highlight and report opportunities to maximise delivery and value for money.
15. Review and quality assure programme and project risk management arrangements, monitoring and reporting on risks and issues, developing mitigating actions and escalating as appropriate.
16. Ensure that delivery requirements are met consistently and effectively throughout the programme and project lifecycles and that all financial, legal, procurement, design and other technical inputs for each programme are fit for purpose and in line with appropriate regulations, council policies and agreed standards.
17. Develop and maintain effective working relationships and communication with stakeholders, both internally and externally, to ensure effective delivery of allocated strategic and corporate programmes and projects.
18. Develop and implement effective communication strategies in collaboration with Marketing and Communications to ensure that all necessary information is cascaded.
19. Understand programme and project management standards and client requirements and help support the development of a consistent approach to building programme and project management capacity within council.
20. Keep under review new developments and best practice in the fields relating to programme management and make appropriate recommendations for change and share knowledge where possible.
21. Motivate and manage any staff that may be assigned to the post holder to ensure effective service delivery and to be responsible for reviewing and implementing a proper staff training and development programme.
22. Participate in all induction and in-service training provided by Belfast City Council and in the induction and support of all newly appointed staff and other human resource management policies and procedures as appropriate.
23. Participate, as directed, in the councils selection interview procedure.
24. Undertake the duties of the post in such a way as to enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of Belfast City Council.
25. Undertake other such relevant duties that may from time to time be required.
This job description has been written at a time of significant organisational change, it will be subject to review, and amendment as the demands of the role and the organisation evolve. Therefore, the post-holder will be required to be flexible, adaptable and aware that s/he may be asked to perform tasks, duties and responsibilities which are not specifically detailed in the job description but which are commensurate with the role.
ssential criteria
Qualifications and experience
Applicants must also, as at the closing date for receipt of application forms:
have a third level qualification in a relevant subject or an industry recognised qualification such as MSP or PRINCE2 Practitioner level (or an equivalent qualification) and be able to demonstrate on the application form, by providing personal and specific examples, at least two years relevant experience in a) b) and c):
or
be able to demonstrate on the application form, by providing personal and specific examples, at least three years relevant experience in a), b) and c):
a) the effective leadership, management and delivery of complex, multidisciplinary projects as an overall programme that have contributed directly to the achievement of corporate priorities within a large and complex organisation;
b) applying recognised programme and project management approaches, tools and methodologies to support the effective delivery of complex programmes to tight deadlines including presenting recommendations and gaining consensus across a wide range of stakeholders; and
c) building and maintaining effective collaborative relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders, analysing and resolving complex issues affecting programme delivery while displaying effective judgment.
Desirable criterion
In addition to the above qualifications and/or experience, Belfast City Council reserves the right to short-list only those applicants who, as at the closing date for receipt of application forms, can demonstrate by way of personal and specific examples one years relevant experience of:
d) effectively monitoring and reporting on the quality of programme outputs to ensure strategic objectives are met.
Special skills and attributes
Applicants must be able to demonstrate, evidence of the following skills and attributes which may be tested at interview:
Team working and leadership skills: the ability to lead and foster a motivating, engaging and supportive environment to maximise both contribution and potential of their team members to achieve objectives.
Communication and influencing skills: the ability to display effective written and oral communications skills in both formal and informal settings with the ability to influence and persuade others on complex issues using plain, concise language. The ability to build rapport and maintain the engagement and commitment of others to secure their support in the delivery of projects.
Project management and work planning skills: the ability to determine organisational priorities and resource requirements for complex programmes and projects and manage allocated workload on the basis of available resources and to work to tight deadlines to ensure effective delivery.
Partnership working skills: the ability to form, maintain and enhance partnership working with internal and external stakeholders, networks and communities to build consensus around key projects.
Analytical and decision-making skills: the ability to analyse and interpret complex issues and exercise critical judgement in arriving at practical solutions and communicate findings clearly.
Performance management skills: the ability to performance manage projects including the setting of objectives and targets, monitoring criteria and evaluation performance measures.
Political sensitivity skills: the ability to show awareness and sensitivity in managing successfully within a political environment including working effectively with elected members, partner organisations and other agencies.
For more information contact Jessica or Debbie on 02895219313
BSNI is an acting recruitment agency.