Job summary
- Main area
- Administration
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- 12 months (12 month fixed term contract)
- Hours
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 354-CO-21854
- Employer
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Portland House
- Town
- Worthing
- Salary
- £38,682 - £46,580 pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 25/03/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Programme Support Officer
NHS AfC: Band 6
Come and join us
We’re looking for people who share our values of compassion, accountability and optimism to help us provide high quality care for the patients, carers, families and communities we serve. We specialise in NHS mental health and learning disability services and we’re proud to make a difference every day.
At SPFT we put people first. We’ll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You’ll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development.
We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it’s part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we’ll explore what works for you and the role.
We recognise that AI is becoming part of daily life and you may choose to use it to help prepare your application. We welcome innovation but ask that anything you submit reflects your own abilities, experience and voice. AI can support how you describe your skills and experience, but it should never replace your own words as we want to get to know you.
We’re shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.
Job overview
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Programme Support Officer (Band 6) to support the Senior Project Manager in the delivery of the accelerated Delegated Commissioning programme from 2026/27.
This 12-month fixed-term role will support the programme team with the expansion of delegated commissioning arrangements across the Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism (MHLDA) portfolio. This includes supporting the Senior Project Manager to implement the delivery of the programme and associated projects, supporting the establishment of robust governance frameworks, ensuring that programme activities are well-organised, deadlines are met, and reporting mechanisms are in place.
The postholder will work closely with the Senior Project Manager to support programme priorities and will be line managed within the Transformation and Change Team, with access to structured supervision, peer support and professional development.
This is an opportunity to contribute to a high-profile, system-wide transformation programme within a supportive and collaborative environment, focused on strengthening commissioning infrastructure, partnership working and system assurance.
Main duties of the job
Main Duties of the Job
· Support the Senior Project Manager and with the delivery of defined workstreams within the Delegated Commissioning programme.
· Support development of programme governance arrangements.
· Support the development and maintenance of detailed programme plans, risk and issue logs, and reporting frameworks.
· Support the preparation of high-quality reports, briefings and Board papers.
· Support the monitoring of progress against milestones and ensure delivery to agreed timescales.
Working for our organisation
Our support services help to keep the trust running. They are the core to everything we do and are valued as such.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Programme Coordination
• Support the planning and coordination of key programme activities, including setting up meetings, preparing agendas, and taking minutes for programme boards and project meetings.
Documentation and Reporting
• Assist with the preparation of project and programme documentation, such as status reports, risk registers, and governance documents, ensuring accuracy and timely submission to senior stakeholders.
Risk and Issue Tracking
• Maintain logs of programme risks, issues, and dependencies, ensuring that updates are tracked, and follow-up actions are monitored and addressed.
Resource Management Support
• Help track resource allocation across projects and programmes, ensuring that resource planning and utilisation are effectively monitored.
Stakeholder Engagement
• Assist in liaising with key stakeholders, both internal and external, ensuring effective communication of programme updates and progress reports.
Financial Administration
• Support the Head of PMO in managing programme budgets, tracking expenditure, raising purchase orders, and ensuring financial records are maintained.
Change Control and Governance
• Assist with the administration of change control processes and ensure that programme governance frameworks are adhered to.
Continuous Improvement
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of PMO processes, identifying areas for efficiency gains and supporting the implementation of best practices across the PMO.
Programme Support Tools
• Manage and update project management software and tools (e.g., MS Project, SharePoint), ensuring that all project data is current and accurate.
Policy/Service Development
• Implement policies and propose changes to practices, procedures for own area/propose policy or service changes, impact beyond own area
• Develops policies and protocols for own work area/proposes project changes which impact across the sector
Financial & Physical Resources
• Authorised signatory, large payments; monitor budgets or financial initiatives; hold delegated budget/Budget holder for department, service
• Authorised signatory for large payments in relation to project/carries out day-to-day budget management duties, including administering and monitoring the project budget; budget holder for project
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
- Project or programme management training or qualification (Prince2, MSP, APM)
- Evidence on ongoing CPD activity
Knowledge/Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience in a similar support role within a project, programme, or PMO environment
- Familiarity with project management tools, methodologies, and frameworks such as PRINCE2, Agile, or Waterfall
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously
- Demonstrable experience in preparing complex reports, presentations, and contentious documentation for senior stakeholder
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and project management tools (e.g., MS Project, SharePoint, or equivalent).
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse teams, maintaining a proactive and solution oriented mindset
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- rachel thomas
- Job title
- head of project management office
- Email address
- [email protected]
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