Project Officer

Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Beacon House, Ipswich, IP1 5PB - Hybrid
• Salary: £34,434 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week - Flexible working options available
• Contract: Fixed term or Secondment for 12 months
  
  
  

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. We're not just a local authority; we're a team of dedicated individuals working together to improve lives across our diverse communities. As our new Warm Handover Project Officer, you'll have the unique opportunity to see the direct impact of your work on the people and places that make Suffolk special. Your contributions will help build a brighter future for all. If you're passionate about making a real, tangible difference, it's time to reimagine your career with us. Join Suffolk County Council and turn your passion for positive change into action.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your Role And Responsibilities

In this role, you will work within the Contact and Assessment Team to oversee the Warm Handover Referral Scheme (WHRS). This partner‑to‑partner referral process helps connect clients with the organisations best placed to meet their needs. You will play a key part in ensuring the scheme operates efficiently for participating partners and the communities it supports.

On a daily basis, you w

ill act as the first point of contact for partner organisations’ queries, manage the onboarding and tracking of new partners, and ensure all processes, documentation, and forms remain up to date. You will also work closely with the Suffolk Information Partnership (SIP), a network of 150 organisations across the Voluntary Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) and statutory sector in Suffolk. SIP membership is required for organisations wishing to access the Warm Handover service.

Within Customer First, you will also support the Team Manager in ensuring effective operations and excellent customer service within the Contact Centre. You will take responsibility for specific targets within the wider team, helping to manage risk, demand, and resources each day to support vulnerable adults, children, and young people accessing the service.

You will need

• A passion for social care and delivering exceptional service.
• Experience communicating with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong digital skills (Explorer, Word, Excel, Outlook).
• A willingness to learn, with evidence of ongoing professional development.
• The ability to collaborate effectively with others and adapt to the needs of the role and the team.
  
  
  

You can view a full list of requirements in the  Job and Person Profile (Word).  If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.  

The team

Customer First is a multi‑channel, 24‑hour contact centre and the first point of contact for Social Care in Suffolk. We provide support across Adult Social Care, Children and Young People’s Services, and Mental Health.

We work collaboratively to deliver a high‑quality service and support one another as a team. Our colleagues come from varied backgrounds and stages in their careers, and we offer opportunities to develop and progress.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report

.

For more information

Please contact Laura Burns for a casual conversation. You can reach them by emailing laura.burns@suffolk.gov.uk .

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

How To Apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the  Supporting Statement template .

• Describe a time when you worked with a wide range of partners or stakeholders to achieve a shared goal. What was your role, how did you build effective relationships, and what was the outcome?
• Give an example of when you had to manage competing priorities or high demand in a pressured environment. How did you stay organised and what impact did your actions have?

Describe a project you have supported or delivered. How did you plan your work, monitor progress, and ensure successful delivery?

Tell us about a time you had to remain calm in a stressful or unfamiliar situation. What did you do and what was the outcome?

Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences, so we encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the process. You can also read our Using AI in Your Application and Interview guidance to understand acceptable and unacceptable use of AI. If AI is used inappropriately, your application may not be progressed.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk

or calling 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages . If you're invited to the next stage, you’ll have another chance to request adjustments.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 18 March 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.  

About Us

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
  
  
  

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk) .