Citizens Advice Project Manager – Services and Capability
This job pack contains:
- Department information
- Role Profile
- Person Specification
- Citizens Advice Terms and Conditions
Department information
The Funded Programmes department is responsible for the delivery of advice services, through the Citizens Advice network of bureaux, for funding agreements that have been secured centrally. This is a growing area. There are 3 other managers thatlead onthe delivery of several ofthese services eachincluding debt advice, financial capability and other services to specific client groups e.g. Armed Forces and Utilities.
Role Profile
Job Title:Project Manager – Services and Capability
Date:April 2012
Fixed term for 20 months from start date
Band: /Professional & Specialist
Proficient Salary: / Up to £38,119 plus £3,520 London AllowanceLocation: / London head office – N1
Reporting To: / Head of Funded Programmes
Role Purpose: / To manage Funded Programmes work on development of bids for new services, redesign and development of existing services, setup of new services assigned and lead on service wide delivery capability development.
Key Accountabilities / Key Elements/Tasks / Priority % of Time
1.Project Management / Work with colleagues who are responsible for the development, design and bidding of new services to ensure:
- Services are designed with delivery in mind;
- Services are achievable from a delivery perspective;
- The views and opinions of Funded Programmes are included in any development design and bidding;
- Support building a justification for initiatives being undertaken.
- Managing handover from proposal lead and preparing relevant handovers to ongoing delivery manager;
- Manage the process to identify and subcontract bureaux and other agencies as appropriate to deliver services contracts (involving appropriate staff within Citizens Advice e.g. Network Development and Support);
- Ensure support materials and tools are in place (including all relevant guidance/good practise materials) to enable bureaux and other delivery agencies receiving grants to achieve agreed goal. Also to ensure robust performance management process is in established.
- Develop scope document
- Produce plans to meet delivery timescales
- Identify, assess and manage the risks to the project
- Identify and manage impact of issues arising
- Undertake Change Control and configuration management as necessary
Day to day consultation and liaison within the project team(s) as appropriate.
Reporting on progress of assigned projects:
- Manage production and circulation of the monthly project status reporting of all services managed within Funded Programme department.
- Lead on reports on delivery progress to funder(s).
- Develop a plan for and support securing follow on funding for existing project as needed.
- Identify and report on lessons learned including recommended follow-on actions.
Identify and implement efficiency improvements in managing the delivery of services led by Citizens Advice, to support consistency of approach in service delivery projects across the department and more widely across the organisation and the Network.
To lead on service wide delivery capability development work. / 65%
2. Staff Management / Line manage such staff as assigned and also matrix manage any other staff that may be allocated to the project(s), including:
- creating a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are well-managed and staff can do their best;
- planning and allocating work, monitoring achievement of deadlines, and supporting staff as appropriate;
- managing performance and development, mainly through regular supervision sessions and the Appraisal (PDR) process;
- recruitment and induction of new staff.
3. External and internal relationships / Ensure that appropriate links are maintained and developed with other relevant parts of the CAB Service, in particular:- All departments within Network Operations, Finance, Legal.
Ensure that appropriate links are made, developed and maintained with relevant external organisations; funders and partners as necessary. / 10%
4.Communicating the Project / Promote the project(s)/work undertaken and outcomes within the Citizens Advice service and with external organisations as appropriate to ensure expectations of key stakeholders are managed.
Develop and implement a communications plan for the project(s) utilising multiple channels liaising with Advice Development and Support, Communications and Press and media. / 10%
5. General / Ensure that the work of the team(s) reflects and supports the service's Equality and Diversity Strategy.
Gain or maintain familiarity with client needs and the goals and key projects of Citizens Advice as a whole.
Undertake any additional activities that are consistent with the duties of this post. / 5%
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
1.Substantial proven ability to manage, setup, lead and project manage multiple projects in a structured project management environment (e.g. Prince2 or similar).
2. Experience of working in a contract management environment including proposals to secure and delivery management encompassing funder relationship management.
3.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to deliver effective presentations and produce written material, and manage key stakeholder expectations in political and sensitive environments.
4.Proven ability to plan and manage own work load, to work well under pressure and to achieve results in potentially difficult circumstances.
5.Ability to lead, manage and develop a team effectively to deliver outcomes.
6.Proven ability to create a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are respected and staff can do their best.
7.A good, up-to-date understanding of equality and diversity and its
application to the work of Funded Programmes.
8.Excellent negotiating and influencing skills.
9.Proven ability to manage project budget (multimillion pound), monitoring and evaluation.
10.Substantial proven ability to produce clear and accurate written information, including formal documents such as project initiation documents (including business case) project plans, reports to funder's and documents aimed at senior management.
11.Good understanding of the strategic challenges with delivery of advice services, nationally, across the service.
12. Proven ability to use IT packages, including word processing, spreadsheets (Excel), and presentation packages (PowerPoint), email (maintain an electronic diary), Microsoft Project and the ability to use or learn to use other packages as necessary.
13.Willingness to travel within the UK (including overnights) and willingness to work unsocial hours occasionally to meet tight timescales.
14. The ability to commit to and work within the aims, principles and policies of theCAB service.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1.PROFICIENT SALARY:Up to £38,119 plus £3,520 London Allowance
Appointment may be at an initial salary level (90 or 95% of the proficient salary) or at the proficient salary, depending upon skills and abilities as assessed during the recruitment process.
2.ANNUAL/TOTAL LEAVE
Annual leave is 26 days pro rata per annum from 1st January to 31st December, plus 4 fixed days (normally over Christmas and New Year). Additionally, there is Long Service Leave of 1-5 days after 3-7 years service.
3.PENSION SCHEME
Citizens Advice provides a Group Stakeholder scheme. Further details of this scheme will be provided to the successful applicant at offer and contract stage.
4.LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Citizens Advice has a co-ordinated staff training and development strategy. This will mean that training for your current job, and future career developments relevant to Citizens Advice will be provided and you will be encouraged to take an active role.
5.INTEREST FREE LOANS
Interest-free loans are available to purchase season tickets for travel, and for career development purposes. If you are a designated essential car user, interest-free car loans are also available.
6.SALARY SACRIFICE SCHEMES
Citizens Advice offers childcare vouchers and operates a Cycle to Work scheme which provide a tax-efficient method for employees to pay for childcare or purchase a bicycle for commuting to work.
7.REMOVAL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES
Individuals appointed to permanent posts (i.e. excluding fixed term contracts) in Citizens Advice are eligible for reimbursement of up to £500 to cover costs associated with relocation and removal. Please ask for a copy of the full policy to check your eligibility.
8.CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU (CRB) CHECKS
Some Citizens Advice positions may require the successful candidate to undergo a CRB check. Further details can be obtained by contacting Human Resources on 0207 833 7021.
9.EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
Citizens Advice recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges unfair discrimination. We recognise people with different backgrounds, skills, attitudes and experiences bring fresh ideas and perceptions, and we wish to encourage and harness these differences to make our services more relevant and approachable. Citizens Advice will not discriminate or tolerate discriminatory behaviour on the grounds of race, colour, sex, transgender, disability, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religion or belief, marital/partnership or family status, sexual orientation, age, social class, educational background, employment status, working pattern, trade union membership or any other irrelevant factor in any aspect of employment.
Our values include a commitment to equality and fairness, and to valuing each other. All our employees are expected to have read and understood our Equality and Diversity Policy and to ensure they behave in accordance with its principles. Breaches of the policy may lead to disciplinary action.
10. DIGNITY AT WORK
Citizens Advice is committed to providing a culture in which all staff value each other and are able to work together to their full potential in an inclusive environment free from harassment, bullying and other unacceptable forms of behaviour. Unacceptable behaviour in the workplace will be actively dealt with, all complaints will be taken seriously, confidentiality will be respected and victimisation of those that raise complaints will not be tolerated.
Our values include commitments to work together and value each other - all our employees are expected to have read and understood our Dignity at Work Policy and to ensure they behave in accordance with its principles. All staff are responsible for helping to create and maintain a positive and inclusive working environment free from bullying and harassment. All managers have a particular responsibility for ensuring a supportive and inclusive working environment in which dignity at work is actively promoted.
11.PROBATIONARY POLICY
New appointments are subject to a six months probationary period. Performance is reviewed after three months and again after six months. At the end of the probationary period the outcome of the assessment may be confirmation of post; notice of dismissal; or at Citizens Advice’s discretion, an extension of the probationary period by a further three months.
12.POLITICAL IMPARTIALITY
An important part of the principle of impartiality is that Citizens Advice staff are seen to be upholding the principle of party political impartiality. To avoid possible misunderstanding or possible conflicts of interest guidelines have been established on staff taking part in party political activities. More information on this and a copy of the guidelines is available from the HR Division, telephone 0207 833 7021. If you currently hold, or are intending to stand for local or national party political office, we will expect you to tell us about this if shortlisted for interview.
13.LOCATION
London head office – N1
14.EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Fixed term for 20 months from start date
15.FLEXIBILITY
Our roles are open to discussion about flexible working, which may include arrangements such as part-time working, formalised flexitime, fixed (non-standard) working hours, working from home and job-sharing.
16.HOME WORKING POLICY
If you are contracted to work from home, you will be required to provide a suitable work area which is available for long term use and which can accommodate a standard size workstation, plus any other work equipment likely to be required to do your job.
17.HOURS OF WORK
36.25 per week
Normal full time working hours are 9 - 5.15, Monday to Friday, although these hours may vary from week to week to meet the needs of the job. Staff may be able to agree a different working pattern with their manager.
Citizens Advice is an operating name of The National Association of the Citizens Advice Bureaux.