Project Officer - Gambling

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Project Officer to work on our new gambling work stream. The post holder will join our Substance Use Team (due to be renamed to Addiction, Recovery and Harm Reduction Team). The Addiction, Recovery and Harm Reduction Team are responsible for commissioning and contract management of treatment services for people who use drugs and alcohol, harm reduction and prevention initiatives and prevention advice related to gambling. The team are also responsible for assessing need (substance use and gambling), reviewing drug and alcohol related deaths, issuing alerts related to contaminated or extra strength drugs, improving co-ordination and care for people who suffer from co-occurring conditions, especially co-occurring mental health and substance use.

In this role, you will; be responsible for delivering projects related to gambling prevention, including supporting the development of a needs assessment, reviewing existing policy, strengthening partnership working, increasing awareness and early identification and work to develop appropriate support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support development of a needs assessment
• Review NSC policies and identify opportunities where the Gambling Harms programme can be embedded across other departments
• Prepare reports and briefings
• Monitor budget expenditure, progress against project plan and provider regular updates to the commissioning manager
• Support partnership working through development of and support to North Somerset’s Gambling Harms Prevention Steering Group

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Mobile/Field Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 0-1 day in the office
• Includes field workers who primarily work remotely.
• Comes into the office for meetings or focused work. Virtual connections with the team are essential, with portable technology supporting work on the go.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about reducing harm caused by gambling, health inequalities, addiction and improving health outcomes, who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• NVQ level 3 and GCSE maths and English at grade C or above, or equivalent.
• Experience of working with people affected by gambling harms, addiction, debt, mental health difficulties, domestic abuse, homelessness or other complex needs.
• Experience contributing to needs assessments, audits, service mapping, equality impact assessments or project evaluation.
• Experience involving people with lived or living experience in service design, evaluation, consultation or partnership work.
• Knowledge and understanding of the factors which impact on health, including the wider determinants and health inequalities.
• Ability to understand and interpret a range of data sources.
• Understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality, consent and information sharing in multi-agency work.
• Good communication skills, both oral and written. An ability to present information to a range of audiences (both specialist and non-specialist).
• Ability to research, analyse, interpret, and present data, evidence, and information, to a wide range of audiences, in a variety of formats and mediums.
• High level of ICT literacy and experience in using project and Microsoft Office software.
• Compassionate to the needs and circumstances of people who experience addiction
• Commitment to reducing stigma and ensuring that people affected by gambling harms are treated with dignity, compassion and respect.

Desirable Criteria:

• Degree in Public Health.
• Experience of working with executive members, chief officers and/or elected members.
• Experience supporting public health campaigns, community engagement, training, awareness-raising or behaviour-change work.
• Experience working in or with local government, NHS, community safety partnerships, integrated care systems, schools/colleges, prisons/probation, or the voluntary sector.
• Knowledge of gambling-related harms and their links with mental health, suicide risk, debt, domestic abuse, substance use, homelessness, trauma and wider health inequalities.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Fiona Dixon, Substance Use Commissioning Manager, at fiona.dixon@n-somerset.gov.uk or 07469406029.

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: To be Confirmed.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.