Community Pride Project Support Officer

Job title: Community Pride Project Support Officer

Salary: SO1 £35,570 - £37,563

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: New Market House

Are you passionate about making a difference in local communities? Do you have a knack for turning local insight and knowledge into impactful projects? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

We’re looking for a Project Support Officer to join our fast-paced team. These dynamic roles blend frontline community work with project development, implementation, partnership working and programme evaluation and support, helping us shape develop new ways of working that truly shape and respond to local needs.

We are seeking applications from motivated and professional individuals to support the delivery of the Councils Community Pride programme, working closely with Elected members, local partners and local residents.

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while working within a supportive and forward-thinking team.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Developing a wide range of projects in response to community need and aspirations.
• Building strong relationships with Elected Members, community groups, LCC services and local partners.
• Engaging with residents, community groups and stakeholders to gather feedback and foster collaboration.
• Coordinate and attend community meetings, consultations and other engagement events.
• Analyse data and produce clear, structured reports to understand priorities, inform service planning and decision making.
• Support the delivery and evaluation of community initiatives and projects.

What We’re Looking For:

• A ‘can do’ attitude.
• Experience of developing capital projects from development to implementation.
• Project management skills and experience.
• Experience of working with diverse communities.
• Experience in community engagement or public sector work.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and report writing skills, including finance.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to be adaptable and flexible.
• A proactive, collaborative approach to problem-solving.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a team that values inclusion, innovation and impact.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Make a real difference to the lives of local people in Leeds.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose:

• To support the implementation of locality working through activity that supports delivery of council priorities
• To support the delivery of projects designed to improve community outcomes
• To contribute to the implementation of the Leeds Ambitions

Responsibilities:

• To work with Elected members, partners & community representatives in ways that are open, inclusive, responsive and accountable.
• To work as a team for Leeds to achieve excellent outcomes for residents.
• To assist in project planning and the production of workstream plans.
• To take responsibility for the delivery of specific projects and work packages in accordance with the programme of works.
• To coordinate and monitor projects within a programme of works.
• To assist in the capture, recording, monitoring and reporting of programme, project and workstream benefits.
• To organise, support and participate in stakeholder communication and consultation activities and events.
• To develop effective relationships with management, operational teams and staff, and other internal and external stakeholders in support of service delivery and improvement.
• To plan, allocate and evaluate work carried out by teams, individuals and self as needed to achieve the objectives & outcomes of projects and programmes
• To take a lead on community engagement including publicising activities using social media channels. This may be directly or via commissioning.
• Involve local residents to build sustainable community power, building on the capacity of local people to do things for themselves.
• To assist in the preparation of briefings, reports, publicity and other materials, and the presentation of these in ways that capture and meet the needs of different audiences.
• To support meetings, including working groups as required, including Agenda planning and preparation, attendance at meetings and minuting where appropriate.
• To carry out duties in accordance with Leeds City Councils Policy, procedures and Values and culture.
• To participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required and for personal development.
• To undertake any other duties as required that are commensurate with the nature and level of this post.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Ability to communicate & engage effectively with a wide range of audiences, inspiring respect, trust and confidence.
• Ability to prepare and present clear and objective reports for a range of audiences.
• Ability to take responsibility for a defined area of work.
• Ability to assess situations and decide on the appropriate course of action.
• Ability to co-ordinate the allocation of work.
• Ability to capture and monitor performance.
• Ability to make an effective contribution to meetings.
• Ability to support service improvements & contribute to a culture that drivers up standards.
• Ability to prioritise and manage own workload effectively
• Ability to work with the public, third sector organisations, internal & external partners and Elected members.
• Ability to work as part of a team, providing support and coordination for the team.
• Ability to work proficiently with ICT software applications (e.g. Word, Excel, etc.)
• Experience of working on community issues to achieve prescribed results.
• Experience of working in multi-agency / multi-skilled teams to achieve shared objectives.
• Ability to or experience of working in a Political environment.
• Experience of responding to customer or community needs

Behavioural and other Characteristics required

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.