Project Officer

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.  Further information about the University can be found here

The Role and the Department

The Computing and Information Services (CIS) has an annual operational budget in excess of £12m, multi-million pound programmes of change within year, and approximately 185 staff. The Senior Leadership Team report directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) with the following portfolios: Strategy and Change; Operations; Information Systems, and Cyber Security. CIS work with departments across the university to provide academic, teaching and administrative services that underpin the day-to-day activities of the whole organisation. Details of the Digital Strategy and ongoing work can be found at Digital Strategy – Durham University

CIS is a friendly, but demanding department, where much is expected and can be achieved by competent, self-motivated individuals who are demonstrable in their team work ability. The department works in a hybrid capacity depending on the job role and individual personal requirements.

The departments Project Management Office (PMO) is a driven and motivated team with a strong vision for what project management can achieve. The key responsibility of the Project Officer is to deliver the required project activities, within the specified time frame, within the specified cost, and to the expected quality. They will lead the planning and implementation of small project initiatives alongside supporting other members of the team to deliver larger project activities.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.  

Working at Durham  

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year.  The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• We offer generous pension schemes.

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. 

As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. 

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria  

Desirable Criteria

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above.  Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. 

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.  

Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online.  We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails 

What you are required to submit:

• A CV
• A covering letter or statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the essential criteria within the Person Specification (above).

Contact details 

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Claire Henderson (Head of Project Delivery) would be happy to speak to you. Please get in touch by email (claire.henderson@durham.ac.uk).

Further information about the role

Role Delivery

• Specialist support with problem solving and query handling in relation to projects within the IT portfolio.
• Reactive and proactive project management with others to deliver an excellent stakeholder experience.
• Carry out more in-depth investigations and research information and data to develop business cases and identify project benefits.
• Accountable for managing/maintaining financial and budget records in relation to project activities.
• Involved in the purchase and return of goods and services.
• Ensure projects, activities, budgets and documents comply with internal University and external regulation, policy and procedures.
• Record data and information accurately, provide reports and distribute information to key stakeholders in the process or service.
• Develop project plans to ensure all work is delivered as expected.
• Develop documentation in accordance with agreed team and CIS standards and assist in the documentation of approved changes in accordance with the CIS change management policy.
• Analyse data and statistics and provide reports for higher level decision makers.
• Take ownership for managing and delivering project activities and deliverables, ensuring that the appropriate planning activities have been undertaken.
• Planning and co-ordinating of projects and work streams with inter-related activities.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

Planning and Organising

• Plan and organise own workload according to team and departmental priorities.
• Implement and monitor protocols, procedures, processes and regulations.
• Implement and monitor recognised procedures to ensure compliance and meet University values of inclusion, diversity and participation.
• Manage and organise professional business and administrative service processes, activities, events and/or resources to achieve defined targets and outcomes.
• Develop, implement and enforce recognised procedures to ensure compliance, co-ordinate effort and contribute to team goals.
• Organise and schedule resources, activities and events.

Teamwork

• Support the capture of business requirements from users and work with colleagues to translate these into recommendations for future service provision.
• Act as a knowledgeable team member, without line management responsibility for team members.
• Work with stakeholders and the project team to ensure timely project delivery.
• Collaborate with colleagues across professional and administrative areas to ensure seamless project and service provision.

Communication and Networking

• Relationship building, network participation internally and externally to build and update knowledge and skills.
• Oversees service users and stakeholders undertaking activities, events, project work and exhibitions.
• Engage with external peers and specialists to exchange knowledge and information.
• Contribute to business meetings, working groups and committees to help shape service delivery and stakeholder expectations.
• Use a range of digital media and tools to communicate with a diverse range of key stakeholders, both verbally and in written format who may need to access information across different geographic and time zones.
• Develop, plan and deliver internal and external events and activities for stakeholders.
• Establish, maintain and develop productive and ongoing relationships with stakeholders to influence perception of the University.

Knowledge and Experience

• Take responsibility for day to day decision making within own area of responsibility for operational aspects of service delivery, translating external requirements into practical application and advice.
• Experienced service practitioner, planning and co-ordinating of projects and work streams with inter-related activities.
• Provide professional guidance and advice to staff and students with the operational running of budgets, processes and data and information recording.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

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