Jobs

Do you want your work to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people in our care?
 
This is a brilliant opportunity to join a new team in a new role where your focus will be on ensuring children and young people in our care get the right support, in the right place, at the right time, while securing the best value for money.

This a temporary role for 2 years, however there is the possibility of it being extended beyond this point in the future.
 
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
You will be joining our small Durham Cares Sufficiency Programme Team, a brand new team with a clear purpose.
 
As a Sufficiency Support Officer, you will have a unique opportunity to help shape how the work of the team develops. This isn’t a role where you step into established processes — it’s a role where you will help design them. You will be part of building something new, working collaboratively to develop ways of working that truly make a difference.
 
If you are excited by the idea of doing a job that hasn’t been done before, influencing how we do things, and helping create meaningful change, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
 
In this varied and impactful role, you will: 

• Help establish and maintain effective project and programme processes
• Coordinate activity across internal teams, external stakeholders and partners
• Maintain project documentation (plans, risk registers, trackers, reports)
• Collate, analyse, and present data to support decisions and cost reduction
• Monitor outcomes, performance, and cost avoidance activity
• Prepare high-quality reports, briefings, and presentations

If you would like to know more, we encourage you to contact Lindsey Herring, Durham Cares Sufficiency Programme Manager by email at lindsey.herring@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role. 
 
WHAT WILL I NEED?
To apply for this fantastic new post you will need a Level 4 qualification in a relevant subject (or equivalent) and experience of:

• Supporting the development and monitoring of plans and project documentation
• Undertaking research, gathering information and analysis.
• Working with competing demands and pressures.
• Developing and maintaining positive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.

Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria. 
 
INTERVIEWS
Interviews are expected to be held on 02 July 2026 at Spennymoor Council Offices, DL16 1JQ.
 
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.
 
OUR OFFER TO YOU
We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website
Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.
 
HOW TO APPLY 
Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the ‘Person Specification’ section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted.
Please visit our website to understand our position on using AI to support to your application and for guidance on completing your application.
 
If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email RecruitmentCYPS@durham.gov.uk
 
All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates.
 
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Company: Durham County Council

Salary: Grade 6 £28,142 - £31,022

Location: Spennymoor, Durham

Sector: Education

Job Role: Officer