Project Development Officer

Private rented housing is an important part of the housing offer in Gateshead. Gateshead Council is a champion of a well managed private rented sector, working with tenants, landlords and other agencies to drive up standards of housing, management and to help people feel secure and safe in their home.

An opportunity has arisen to support strategic private housing related projects and Council initiatives relating to existing private housing, to help the Council meet its priorities and statutory requirements relating to housing standards, private renters rights and the Council's approach to housing related enforcement.

The role will involve managing projects, providing professional advice to aid decision making and providing support and advice to elected members to contribute to and stay abreast of changes affecting the sector. Projects will include those resulting from legislative changes and new policies and programmes. You would collate research, data and knowledge to challenge the way current systems and processes are working and develop responses to private housing issues. You would monitor, manage and report progress to ensure project benefits are realised, monitor and act on project risks and contribute to service improvement and performance management to help to evaluate impact.

Please take a look at the full job profile. It's important that you read it in full and check that you meet the essential criteria.

A bit about Gateshead Council…

We're truly committed to providing our customers with the highest quality of service and we need like-minded people who can help us deliver a sector leading service. We need people who want to make a difference, who are talented, possess the right knowledge and skills and who want the chance to demonstrate how good they are.

You must have knowledge and experience of …

Excellent project management skills
Legislative framework and policy context relating to local governments role in private housing standards and renters rights
Commissioning of services by the public sector
Ability to problem solve, work flexibly and imaginatively and to develop creative and practical solutions
Able to analyse and synthesize issues and propose options for innovation and change
Strong research and horizon scanning skills
Strong understanding of whole system approach and awareness of latest local government thinking
Excellent engagement, communication and presentation skills
Experience of facilitating organisational and/or significant change in the public sector or an equivalent organisation
Experience of translating strategy into deliverable plans
Experience of managing conflicting demands
Improvement and change intervention frameworks and techniques
Developing and implementing strategy and policy
Project management tools and techniques including analytical and communication skills

You must have the following qualifications.

Appropriate degree level and/or equivalent level 6 qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience

You'll be paid a competitive salary plus additional allowances where relevant.
We'll help you save for your future with an outstanding employer contribution to your pension of approximately 18.9% per year.
You'll get a generous annual leave package of 28 days annual leave for new employees, rising to 32 days after 5 years continuous local government service.
You have the chance to buy up to 10 additional holidays per year.
You'll have the opportunity to participate in the Council's Flexi time scheme, subject to management approval and business needs.
You'll have access to great health and wellbeing support, including discounted membership to GO Gateshead Leisure Services and ability to use our cycle to work scheme.
You'll have access to our new benefits platform VIVUP where you can get discounts and offers on online and high street shopping