JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title:First World War Memorials Programme Manager

Department:Planning Group

Location:Negotiable, but preferably London

Responsible to:National Engagement Manager

Pay Band:B

Status:Fixed term contract until the end of March 2019

The Centenary of the First World War (FWW) is currently considered by government to be one of the most important heritage topics of the next few years – it has already attracted considerable public attention. Within government the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is leading plans to commemorate this significant milestone in world history and by making £4.2m of funding available to ensure that as many war memorials as possible are in good condition by Armistice Day 2018.

Historic England, as the government’s expert adviser on the historic environment, has been tasked with leading this programme, which comprises a package of different workstreams being delivered by Civic Voice (CV), Historic England, Imperial War Museums (IWM) and War Memorials Trust (WMT). This post will be responsible for ensuring the implementation of these different workstreams in a coordinated way, and monitoring and reporting on the programme to ensure that the overall aims are successfully delivered. The programme kicked off in the second half of 2014, and is expected to finish at the end of the Centenary in 2018/2019

The key aims and objectives of the programme are that:

  1. First World War memorials are in the best possible condition with repair and conservation projects completed where needed by the end of the centenary
  2. Volunteers are engaged with their war memorial heritage with enhanced understanding of condition and able to get involved in projects related to research, protection and conservation
  3. Better protection for war memorials is achieved through statutory listing, including greater volunteer input into the process
  4. Develop a publically accessible single web resource to display consolidated war memorial information from national datasets
  5. A larger pool of skilled and trained contractors and conservators is created, able to appropriately repair memorials through the centenary and maintain them in the years ahead
  6. A wider understanding of, and appreciation for, our war memorial heritage is gained by the public of all ages and backgrounds

Although managed by Historic England, this post is funded by DCMS and will support the Department by liaising with partners and stakeholders in the war memorials programme, as well as various departments and teams within HE. The postholder will be responsible for convening and supporting a programme board and maintaining all programme documentation

Overall purpose of the job

The postholder will ensure that the government’s aims in relation to the conservation and protection of war memorials over the centenary are met, by:

  • working with the key partners and stakeholders;
  • monitoring and reporting on their progress to DCMS;
  • ensuring individual workstreams which comprise the programme are on track and coordinated with each other;
  • ensuring financial accountability and value for money;
  • and promoting a programme that is broad, engaging and diverse.

Principal Tasks

  1. To support DCMS as required in achieving the aims and objectives of the programme. This may include a period of secondment to the Department.
  1. To develop and maintain an effective working relationship with the key partner organisations involved in delivering the programme’s objectives: Civic Voice, Imperial War Museums, War Memorials Trust and relevant departments within Historic England.
  1. To track, on behalf of DCMS, performance indicators for the programme, monitor and measureprogress by each of the funded organisations against agreed outcomes and indicators and report on progress to DCMS on a regular basis.
  1. To maintain sound project documentation for the programme, including updating project plans as they evolve, a communications strategy and a Risk & Issues log.
  1. To identify any risks to the programme, to advise on how these can be either avoided or mitigated, and to provide support where needed to help overcome obstacles to the achievement of the programme’s aims.
  1. To monitor, on behalf of DCMS, expenditure by each of the funded organisations against budget, and to make recommendations to DCMS for draw-down of agreed funding; to ensure proper accountability, value for money, and scrutiny in the disbursement of funding.
  1. To provide quality management oversight of the programme, working with partners and appropriate colleagues to respond to quality and budget issues.
  1. To administerHE and DCMS funding for grants managed by War Memorials Trust and to work with other members of the Planning Group Directors' Office and Conservation Teams, as required, to support and promote HE’s role in war memorial conservation.
  1. To prepare and maintain a communications strategy relating to the programme and ensure that all partners and workstreams are ‘on-message’.
  1. To prepare the evaluation and reporting required for completion of the programme.
  1. To manage, develop and maintain relations with other stakeholders, including Cadw, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, and Northern Ireland Environment & Heritage Service.
  1. To convene, and support Historic England’s role as chair of, the UK War Memorials Liaison Group (WMLG).
  1. To undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the grade and competencies required of the post requested by line management.

This is a description of the job at it is at present. Any changes will be subject to agreement with the Line Manager and DCMS.

Person specification
Training, experience & qualifications
Essential:
  • Experience of managing budgets
  • Demonstrable experience of planning and managing complex projects and/or programmes
  • Experience of working with third-sector and volunteer organisations
/ Desirable:
  • Educated to degree level in a relevant subject
  • Experience of using a structured project management methodology
  • Experience in media handling

Knowledge & skills
Essential:
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to present complex information in a readily-understandable form
  • Strategic thinking, including an ability to foresee risks and opportunities
  • Sound judgement and acute political acumen
  • Demonstrable negotiation and influencing skills
/ Desirable:
  • Knowledge of the FWW and a sensitivity towards the importance of its commemoration
  • In depth knowledge of the historic environment sector
  • Understanding of diversity issues including gender, race, disability and religion and belief

Interpersonal skills
Essential:
  • Self-motivated
  • Confident and authoritative
  • Diplomatic and personable
  • Action-oriented, with a focus on target delivery
  • A team player but capable of working with theminimum supervision and guidance
  • Prepared to commit to the aims of war memorial conservation for period of the programme
/ Desirable:

Historic England is committed to providing equality of opportunity. If you have a disability, we would be happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the job with you.

22 July 2016