Project Officer

• Location: Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill, Reigate, RH2 8EF

We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.

The starting salary for this role is £40,296 per annum, working 36 hours per week.

This is a fixed term contract/ secondment opportunity until 31st August 2026. If you are seeking a secondment, please get permission from your line manager before applying.

We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic Project Officer to join our Adults Health and Wellbeing (AWHP) Disabilities and Direct Payments Team. This role is essential in supporting the delivery of the Surrey County Council Direct Payments Strategy 2023, its predominant focus.

You will work within a political environment and have a good understanding of project management, national legislation, and policy for Adult Social Care, with a particular focus on the Care Act 2014 and the health and social care integration agenda.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Role

You will be joining a committed, enthusiastic, and supportive team, where your role will encompass a range of responsibilities. These include collaborating with staff and partners to ensure the successful delivery of various projects and service improvements. You will work closely with senior managers to identify and address any risks or issues that may arise during the course of these projects.

Part of your duties will involve preparing and updating Highlight Reports to provide progress updates on the implementation of the Direct Payments Strategy and the Physical Disability and Sensory Impairment (PDSI) Strategy. These updates will be shared with relevant boards and the Directorate Leadership Team (DLT).

You will also be responsible for maintaining and revising project plans to support the integration of a new Direct Payment Offer into standard operations, as well as the ongoing delivery of the PDSI Strategy. Effective engagement and consistent communication with stakeholders will be key to your success in this role.

Additionally, you will provide administrative support, which may include organising meetings, preparing agendas, and taking minutes.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• Leading projects and reviews within a defined area of work as directed by their manager to support and enhance service delivery
• Assessing or conduct analysis, presenting results and putting forward recommendations on managing more complex situations to support decision making.
• A sound understanding of project management and of national legislation and policy for Adult Social Care, with a particular focus on the Care Act 2014 and the health and social care integration agenda
• Your ability to plan workloads and secure resources to enable the team/s to achieve a quality service.
• A clear understanding of the values and behaviours of the organisation and the ability to work inclusively, with a diverse range of stakeholders and promote equality of opportunity.

As part of your application, you will be asked to upload your CV and answer the following questions:

• What strategies have you employed to support matrix teams/colleagues in remaining on track with their project plans and targets? (300 words)
• Please describe a project you have managed that required collaboration acrossa range of internal and external stakeholders? How did you ensure effective communication and coordination among the team members? (350 words)
• How do you maintain, develop, and review systems, processes, and procedures to maximize delivery? Can you provide an example of a time when you improved a system or process? (350 words)
• Please give an example of how you have supporteda number ofprojects (orthe delivery of a range of support services)in a context ofchangingand sometimes conflictingpriorities? How did you ensure thatthe teamsachievedtheobjectives?(350words)
• How do you ensure initiatives you support embody a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. (150 words)

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For more information please contact via teams or email: Ami Patel, Senior Commissioning Manager, or Lorraine Branch, Senior Operational Manager, via email or on MS Teams.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 20th July 2025 with interviews taking place in the week commencing 28th July.

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of adults across Surrey and have the skills and experience required for this rolewe would love to hear from you!

Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.

Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!

Our Values
Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about ourvalues .

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.