Job info	Job info details
Job title	Strategy and Project Management Officer
Strategic team/Directorate	Pride in Place
Service	Planning, Housing and Climate Emergency
Business unit	Strategy and Project Management (Planning, Transport and Environment)
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Service Manager Strategy and Project Management
Accountable to (line manager)	Service Manager Strategy and Project Management
Salary grade	I
JE ref	SPA87

1. Key purpose of job

• To assist in the production, delivery and review of statutory strategic plans for planning, transport, waste and environment and related policy work.
• Promote and deliver sustainable outcomes for Torbay’s residents, businesses and visitors, using a range of sources to secure funding to deliver those outcomes.
• Assist and support the Development Management team in the assessment and delivery of planning proposals.
• Assist in the provision of an excellent spatial planning service, that is commissionable and capable of responding positively to transformational change and the expectations of a wide variety of clients. 

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

• To assist in the provision of an efficient, effective and professional spatial planning service that promotes and delivers high quality sustainable outcomes for the Bay and, as a minimum, meets national and local performance targets.
• Production of new strategy documents, potentially as a single strategy covering economy, transport, planning, waste and climate change.
• Delivery of projects identified in strategic plans and projects funded via the planning process or other funding sources.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

• Support the team in ensuring compliance with legislation, guidance and best practice in producing / reviewing strategic plans, delivering projects and providing advice on planning proposals.
• Develop strategic policy documents, supplementary guidance, masterplans and development briefs.
• Providing advice on planning, transport, waste and environment issues matters relating to projects, bids, pre-applications and planning applications.
• Provide advice on the selection, management and delivery of projects, often using consultants, to deliver transport improvements, environmental programmes, major development projects and economic regeneration.
• Work with partners, to support the delivery of integrated new development, transport schemes (especially public and sustainable transport), environmental enhancement projects and economic regeneration across Torbay.
• Support the production and submission of funding bids to help deliver major developments, transport projects, environmental programmes and economic regeneration, advising on costs, risks, benefits and other implications of those bids.
• Take a proactive approach to encourage and support sustainable economic regeneration and prosperity in the Bay and provide advice on the way in which planning, environment and transport processes can help deliver those objectives.
• Provide strategic planning, transport, waste and environment advice on the merits of proposed developments; deal with general correspondence on planning, environment and transport related matters; liaising with developers, consultants and other Council services.
• Assist in, and occasionally take the lead on, the commissioning / production of evidence, including monitoring information, and use that evidence to support plan production and review, funding submissions and development projects, and ensure the dissemination of that evidence.
• Prepare and present reports to other Council services, Members, Council meetings, working / task and finish groups and community / interest groups.
• Prepare and present evidence, research findings and business cases to Members, Public Inquiries, funding organisations and partner organisations.
• Work in partnership with other Council services and elected Members; with applicants, agents, architects, developers and land owners; with the community and its representative groups; with transport and waste operators. Represent the spatial planning interest in multi – disciplinary events or groups as required.
• Support the project manager in key projects, ensuring they are delivered on time and on budget, and lead on the delivery of smaller projects.
• Support the preparation, production and presentation of budgets for projects, bids and key pieces of work.
• Assist in the management of consultants commissioned to help deliver projects or bids on behalf of the Council, occasionally taking a lead on those projects or bids. 
• Keep abreast of and knowledgeable about current and proposed legislation, new technologies and best practice relevant to the job.  

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

• Provide advice on the allocation of monies to key projects. 
• Manage and monitor budgets, meeting funders requirements, on small projects.

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

• None. 

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

• Predominantly office working environment (can be homeworking).
• Travel to and attendance at site visits and meetings in other locations may be required.
• Some lone working is required and this may be out of core hours.
• Work in all weather conditions, for example during site visits, checking compliance with permissions, agreements and contracts. 

7. Physical demands of the post

• Normal physical effort, including walking distances in excess of 1km, moving around on rough ground, using platforms, moving around construction sites and use of public transport. 

8. Specific resources used by the post

• Transport, environment, economic and financial modelling software. 

9. Key contacts and relationships

• External: 
  • Customers of the services (Agents, Developers, Applicants and interested parties). 
  • Members of the public, politicians and officers in other organisations; government departments; transport and waste operators; representatives of pressure and interest groups; suppliers and contractors.
  • Statutory and other consultees such as the Environment Agency, English Heritage, Natural England, Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, National Planning Casework Unit, Department for Community and Local Government, Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, South Devon Health Care Trust, Housing Associations etc.
• Internal: 
  • Officers within the Spatial Planning Business Unit. 
  • Managers and officers of other Council services. 
  • Elected Members. 

10. Other duties

• To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job. 

Other Information

• All staff must commit to Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Practice.
• The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement. 
• The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
• The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
• The post is eligible for hybrid or home working with requirement for site visits as necessary. The office base for the team is Tor Hill House but the post holder may be required to move their base to any other location within the Council at a future date.
• The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
• If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.
• You will be asked to complete a Criminal Records Self Declaration Form. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post. You will only be asked to disclose ‘unspent’ convictions.
• Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for. 

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	Strategy and Project Management Officer
Strategic team/Directorate	Pride in Place
Service	Planning, Housing and Climate Emergency
Business unit	Strategy and Project Management (Planning, Transport and Environment)

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

• Self motivated, productive, dynamic and innovative. 
• Effective computer literacy skills (MS windows). 
• Sound level of numeracy. 
• Effective analytical and problem-solving skills. 
• Presentation skills particularly in relation to presenting reports to committee. 
• Report preparation skills. 
• Communication and negotiation skills. 
• Able to convey information accurately and clearly in a manner which is clearly understood. 
• Assertion skills, i.e. able to determine and use behaviour which is appropriate to the situation and to exercise tact and diplomacy. 
• Administrative skills, i.e. a thorough organised approach to work with the ability to prioritise and manage workloads. 
• Able to see tasks through to a successful conclusion, meeting challenging deadlines whilst maintaining attention to detail. 
• Contributing successfully to effective team working. 
• Flexible approach to working hours. 
• A conscientious attitude to work. 
• Willingness to maintain and improve standards and performance through implementation of good practice and personal development. 
• Effective support for project management. 
• Commitment to customer and client focus. 

Desirable skills and effectiveness

• Ability to demonstrate initiative and flexibility. 
• High level of productivity. 
• Skills in creativity. 

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• Able to demonstrate knowledge of transport, environment and /or planning legislation, government advice and policy, circulars and guidance notes and awareness of general issues facing related professions. 
• Knowledge of the planning, transport and/or environmental policy processes from cradle to grave. 
• Understanding of the importance of economic regeneration. 
• Understanding of the role of sustainability, energy efficiency, design, transport and waste and other important considerations. 

Desirable knowledge

• Experience in planning, transport, waste and environment policy at a high level dealing with complex major applications. 

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Relevant and demonstrable experience in policy making and / or project management. 
• Demonstrable experience handling policy issues and project delivery issues. 

Desirable experience and achievements

• Local Government or other public sector experience. 
• Experience of preparation and implementation of redevelopment, regeneration, transport or environment project. 
• Direct personal experience of dealing with architects / agents, clients, Councillors, members of the public, developers, objectors and applicants. 

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• A Diploma or Degree in planning, transport, geography, economics or environment at graduate or post graduate level. 
• Chartered Member, or equivalent, of relevant professional institution / organisation, or working towards membership, or an intention to pursue a career in spatial strategy or project management.  

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

• Other specialist and relevant qualifications. 

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

• Demonstrates a commitment to customer service. 
• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. 
• Ability to travel efficiently in order to carry out duties. 
• Ability to accommodate occasional unsociable hours working.