Armed Forces Project Officer

The role

The Armed Forces Project Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Armed Forces and Veteran Community Projects.

The post holder will have knowledge and experience of outreach/engagement, as well as experience of planning and running events and projects. The role requires flexibility and multi-tasking, as well as confidence to complete varied tasks as delegated. The role requires the coordination and chairing of working group meetings and representing the organisation at armed forces events and steering groups.

Overall, duties will differ according to the requirements of the HWE operational plan. Day-to-day responsibilities of the role will include ensuring that project work is completed to a high standard and all reporting requirements are complied with. The main purpose is to ensure that the influence of HWE is maximised through the delivery of high-quality and well organised events and activities and meetings that will capture and articulate the voice and lived experience of the people of Essex.

Key accountabilities

To work with HWE staff, and especially the Senior Management Team, to support the delivery of high quality and well-organised HWE Armed Forces Projects. This includes:

o Plan and deliver the Armed Forces Working Group online and in person meetings.

o Plan and deliver the Primary Care Network Armed Forces Working Group online and in person meetings.

o Evaluate and report on impact of the working groups.

o Enhance the attendance of the working group meetings.

o Be a point of contact for the armed forces and veteran community within Essex.

o Make connections and report on impact delivered through collaborative working.

o Project planning, to ensure that the aims, objectives and outcomes of any project are clear and in line with HWE strategy and plans, and that the intended activity is likely to achieve those outcomes; that suitable milestones and monitoring are in place; that budgets are realistic and represent best value; and that risks have been assessed.

o Project delivery, including working with and coordinating HWE ambassadors and staff, as well as external partners/stakeholders, suppliers and contractors, to ensure that HWE projects and events are delivered according to plan.

o Planning and delivering outreach events and information stands on behalf of HWE to various armed forces and veterans communities.

o Ensuring that project delivery is on time and on budget, and that risk mitigations are in place.

o Working with the HWE Communications Lead to ensure that there is a PR and communications plan in place, and that it is implemented as appropriate.

o Ensuring that projects/events are evaluated appropriately, that outcomes are monitored, and that feedback is captured and provided to stakeholders.

To conduct other tasks and duties as considered reasonable by the CEO.

Person Specification

The post holder will be highly organised, and an engaging and effective communicator, with good written and verbal skills. You will be capable of building effective relationships with individuals and organisations, including volunteers, and will be comfortable and highly capable in planning, coordinating and delivering different projects and events. You will have a high regard for the sensitivities of working within health and social care and be able to demonstrate a commitment to advancing the interests of patients, service users and the public within the changing landscape of health and social care.

You will also be enthusiastic about working within a small and ambitious team, with a demonstrable regard for the values and principles of Healthwatch Essex and a willingness to work flexibly to achieve the organisation's strategic objectives.

Knowledge, skills attributes and experience

Essential

o Knowledge and experience of managing volunteers and/or staff.

o Demonstrable experience of managing projects and/or events, especially within the context of a complex and/or multi-agency environment.

o Experience of working in or knowledge of the voluntary and community sector and/or health and social care.

o Experience of working in a fast-paced office environment, managing a potentially unpredictable workload.

o Knowledge and experience of using IT-systems, including Microsoft Office and the internet.

o Experience and knowledge of social media and its applications.

o Experience of community outreach and engagement.