Apprentice Research Project Manager

Plymouth City Council

Devon, PL1 3BJ

Closes in 9 days (Wednesday 25 September)

Posted on 4 September 2024

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Summary

We want to appoint an apprentice to join our team of researchers to help with the work we are undertaking, offering the opportunity to know and learn more about undertaking research, but also the organisation and management of research as well.

Annual wage
£20,571 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

L4 (Aged 16-20) £20,571 per annum L4 (Aged 21+) £22,070 per annum

Training course
Associate project manager (level 4)
Hours
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Friday 1 November

Duration

1 Year 6 Months

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Business Functions:

  • Project management principles.
  • Financial understanding, calculating a budget and monitoring the same.
  • Development of research and project proposals
  • Project monitoring options
  • Understanding of project and research governance
  • Setting up public involvement events
  • Use of range of office tools and equipment.
  • Using research policies such as payment for participation.
  • Helping researchers to set up interviews, sessions, focus groups etc.

 

Research functions:

  • Training in appreciative enquiry and opportunity to undertake interviews in support and with council teams and researchers.
  • Developing and using methods of collecting information from people for example developing questionnaires and collating results (as well as exploring and using existing validated research tools and questionnaires).
  • Developing topic guides for groups and discussions.
  • Documenting and recording findings.
  • Information governance and data management plans
  • Understanding how to work with people to develop, research and evaluation questions.
  • Understanding and implementing good practice principles in relation to public involvement
  • Simple analysis
  • Use of academic software.
  • Be involved in the process of writing for academic publication

Where you’ll work

Ballard House

West Hoe Road

Plymouth

Devon

PL1 3BJ

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

MBKB LTD

Your training course

Associate project manager (level 4)

Equal to higher national certificate (HNC)

Course contents
  • Use project monitoring and reporting techniques to track, interpret and report on performance.
  • Manage and engage with stakeholders.
  • Influence and negotiate with others to create a positive outcome for the project.
  • Resolve conflict as and when required with stakeholders within limits of responsibility.
  • Adapt communications to different stakeholders.
  • Communicate and support the project vision, to ensure buy in to the project objectives.
  • Collate and analyse information and provide input to support negotiations relating to project objectives.
  • Monitor and analyse project budgets.
  • Review and provide feedback on a project business case to ensure the project remains valid.
  • Apply change control processes to support the management of project scope.
  • Evaluate an integrated project management plan to provide recommendations on areas for improvement.
  • Prepare, monitor, and schedule activities that contribute to the delivery of the overall project schedule and objectives.
  • Evaluate and make recommendations on the risk management plan to threats to delivery and recommend solutions.
  • Identify and monitor project risks and issues; and plan and implement responses to them.
  • Deliver a Quality Management Plan which contributes to quality control processes.
  • Use an organisation’s continual improvement process including lessons learned to improve performance.
  • Support the preparation or maintenance of a resource management plan for project activities.
  • Work with stakeholders to deliver the project.
  • Use digital tools and software to meet project objectives for example research, collaboration, presentations, and resolution of problems.
  • Provide underpinning data to support the written submission through the governance process.
  • Work within the approved project budget.
  • Ensure that integrated schedules support critical path analysis, interface management, resource forecasting and risk management.
  • Apply relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice, and ethical guidance where appropriate to their work.
  • Use data to inform decisions on actions to take to mitigate risks on project.
  • Use configuration management and change control to schedule and maintain projects.
  • Manages resources through the project lifecycle.

    • Your training plan

    • Remote learning
    • Alongside your duties, 20% of your time will be set aside to undertake “off-the-job training” that will be used to learn new skills and produce evidence as part of your apprenticeship qualification

    More training information

    • The training provider is MBKB Group Ltd and the apprenticeship will be remote learning alongside your role. 

    Requirements

    Essential qualifications

    GCSE in:

    • Any three others (grade A*-C (9-4))
    • English (grade A*-C (9-4))
    • Maths (grade A*-C (9-4))

    Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

    Skills

    • Communication skills
    • IT skills
    • Attention to detail
    • Organisation skills
    • Problem solving skills
    • Analytical skills
    • Team working
    • Non judgemental
    • Patience

    About this company

    We are the local authority for Plymouth, providing services and information to many of the area’s 262,700 residents as well as businesses and visitors. We employ over 2500 members of staff in a wide range of occupations including health consultant, park ranger, children’s social worker, refuse driver, registrar, housing delivery officer and customer support assistants. Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of any of the protected characteristics. As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.

    https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/jobs-careers-and-training (opens in new tab)

    Disability Confident

    Disability Confident

    A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

    You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

    After this apprenticeship

    • Whilst there is no guarantee of a permenant position at the end of this apprenticeship, there is a possibilty that a position may become available to apply for.
    • There may also be the possibility to progress to higher level apprenticeships upon completion of the apprenticeship.

    Ask a question

    The contact for this apprenticeship is:

    Plymouth City Council

    Elaine Fitzsimmons

    elaine.fitzsimmons@plymouth.gov.uk

    The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000274799.

    Apply now

    Closes in 9 days (Wednesday 25 September)

    When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

    After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.