Project Officer

Positive Employment is currently recruiting for a Project Officer for our client, a local government organisation based in Southampton.

The successful post holder will lead and develop the organisation's environmental enforcement function, including the delivery of a 12 month externally commissioned enforcement contract valued at approximately £250,000 per annum.

The role will ensure effective enforcement activity in relation to environmental crime, including fly-tipping, waste presentation, and littering, contributing to improved environmental quality across the city.

In addition, the postholder will provide programme and project management across a range of Clean & Green Service initiatives, ensuring delivery to time, budget, and agreed outcomes, in line with corporate priorities and statutory responsibilities.

This role is a temporary contract with an initial contract length of 3 months with the possibility to extend. This role is hybrid working 3 days in the office, 2 days remote.

but not limited to:

• Oversee the operational delivery of the organisation's environmental enforcement service, ensuring effective and legally compliant enforcement activity.
• Manage and support the environmental enforcement team, monitoring performance, productivity, and compliance with relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
• Lead enforcement activity relating to fly-tipping, waste presentation, duty of care offences, littering, and associated environmental crimes.
• Commission, mobilise, and manage a 12-month external enforcement contract, ensuring delivery against agreed service standards, KPIs, and budget requirements.
• Act as the lead client officer for the enforcement contract, maintaining effective relationships with contractors and addressing any performance issues, risks, or service improvements.
• Monitor and control budgets associated with enforcement activities and projects, ensuring value for money and effective use of resources.
• Manage and deliver a range of environmental and service improvement projects, ensuring delivery to agreed timescales, budgets, and outcomes.
• Develop project plans, business cases, performance frameworks, and progress reports aligned to organisational priorities.
• Monitor project and contract performance, identify risks and issues, and implement corrective actions where required.
• Use performance data and intelligence to inform decision‑making, target enforcement activity, and support continuous service improvement.
• Work collaboratively with internal departments, contractors, partner organisations, and enforcement agencies to deliver integrated service outcomes.
• Prepare and present reports, briefings, and recommendations to senior management and stakeholders as required.
• Ensure all enforcement, contract, and project activities comply with relevant legislation, governance requirements, and organisational policies.
• Contribute to the development and review of enforcement procedures, policies, and best practice initiatives.
• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion while maintaining high standards of customer service and public engagement.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post.

• Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent relevant experience.
• Relevant professional qualification or demonstrable experience in environmental enforcement, contract management, project management, or a related discipline.
• Experience delivering environmental enforcement, regulatory, operational, or public service-focused programmes.
• Proven experience managing external contracts, including supplier performance monitoring, KPI management, and financial oversight.
• Demonstrable experience delivering projects within a complex organisational environment, ensuring successful outcomes within budget and timescales.
• Experience managing teams, contractors, or stakeholders and driving performance improvement.
• Knowledge of environmental protection, waste management, or regulatory legislation and its practical application.
• Strong project planning, organisational, and risk management skills.
• Excellent contract management and supplier relationship management abilities.

• Project Management qualification such as PRINCE2, APM, or equivalent.
• Qualification in Environmental Health, Waste Management, Environmental Services, or a related discipline.
• Experience working within a local authority, public sector, or regulatory environment.
• Experience delivering service transformation, pilot programmes, or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of income generation through enforcement activity.

36hrs / Monday - Friday

£28.23 per hr

Please note this role is within the scope of IR35.