Do you have experience in providing project support using management information? Do you want to support and be part of a project that has a real impact on individuals in the West Midlands? 

As Support Officer you will be part of a project team, partly funded by the European Social Fund, giving all rounded support to ensure the project is delivered as planned. 

This role is part funded by the European Social Fund and is fixed term until December 2023.

You will manage project documentation using project management tools, which will include, but not be limited to, project plans, highlight reports, issues logs, minutes, agendas and the SharePoint project site.

Day to day you will collate and review participant documentation and financial claims, ensuring all the information is accurate and complaint.  You will be expected to use management information to inform on progress and performance.

Productivity & Skills, the employment, education and skills arm of the West Midlands Combined Authority is committed to ensuring that every resident can reach their potential and that business growth is accelerated through access to a skilled workforce. We focus on improving skill levels, tackling poor connectivity and increasing employment opportunities. We help more people access high quality training and employment opportunities, increase skills levels in priority growth sectors and create a responsive regional skills system that provides people with the skills to sustain good jobs and careers. 

Find your future project – partly funded by European Social fund

Find Your Future adds significant value by complementing existing programmes and offering intensive wrap-around support including coaching and mentoring based on individual need and support to overcome complex barriers.  The project will:

• Provide dedicated Support for those individuals who are in the process of applying for Commonwealth Games (CWG) or Coventry City of Culture (CCoC) jobs or who have been unsuccessful
• Provide a safety net for those individuals who are unsuccessful as part of the CWG volunteer assessment centre – providing support and identifying further training and employment opportunities
• Support those successful volunteers or temporary contractors for both CWG and CCoC to find alternative employment post games and ultimately move into more sustainable employment

Without ESF funding intensive, tailored support for residents from some of the most deprived wards in the region would not be available.

About you

You will have experience of providing project or programme support and be comfortable dealing with documents, processing information and reading complex information.

This is a busy and varied role requiring you to manage your time, prioritise your work under pressure and manage your internal and external stakeholders. 

Essential skills and experience

• Experience of supporting project management
• Experience of demonstrable stakeholder management background/experience
• Strong attention to detail
• Able to effectively communicate with both internal and external customers
• Strong Excel skills and proficiency in other MS Office applications
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective time management skills and ability to work independently as well as a member of a cross-functional team is essential
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure, trouble-shoot, and to meet short- and long-term deadlines

About us

Our role in the West Midlands has never been more important and in these extraordinary times we’ve shown we can step forward, speak up for our region and bring people together. Everything we do is focused on making life better for people in the West Midlands – that’s our reason for being here and it drives every move we make. We lead and support others to deliver our shared future vision for the region – a happier, healthier, better connected place to live and work.

We fully believe that we are only as great as the people who work for us and are committed to providing a positive, healthy and inclusive working environment where our people feel valued and respected. We’re ambitious, forward thinking and determined to find better ways of working, always leading the way in what we do. We trust and support each other to get the job done, and encourage creativity, originality and curiosity from those who work with us.

We are a “Leaders in Diversity” accredited organisation, are in the Inclusive Top 50 Employers List and are one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. As a Disability Confident Employer, we have made a positive commitment to interviewing all applicants with a disability who meet the essential role criteria. We are committed to building a team of people with varied backgrounds and experiences as we recognise that this will only benefit us as an employer, the more inclusive we are the better our work will be, and welcome applications from young people, Black, Asian and ethnic minority groups and women at senior levels.

We’re dedicated to providing a broad range of rewards and benefits and constantly benchmark our benefits packages to ensure they are attractive for all our people. As well as a competitive salary, employees also receive 27 days annual leave (plus public holidays) and access to a great pension scheme.

Furthermore, wherever possible we will offer flexible working options which assist work-life balance. We are very happy to discuss a flexible working pattern that suits your needs, so please do not let that be a barrier to applying. If your values align with ours and you’re committed to working towards creating a future we can all be proud of, we want to hear from you.

About your application

The online Application Form you'll be asked to complete plays a key part in our recruitment and selection process. We use the information you provide to decide whether to invite you for an interview. It is important that you complete the Application Form as fully and accurately as possible. You will be asked to upload a Supporting Statement (not a CV) and this should include specific examples which demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria for the role for which you are applying. 

If you would like to discuss alternative methods to the online application as a reasonable adjustment please contact the Resourcing Team by email (careers@wmca.org.uk).