Job Description
Who we are & what we stand for
Do you want to help shape the future of recycling services across Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland?
If you're passionate about project delivery, partnership working and making a real difference for local communities, this could be the role for you.
We're delighted that you're interested in working with us. You'll be joining the South Tyne and Wear Waste Management Partnership at a pivotal time as we respond to some of the biggest changes to waste and recycling services in a generation.
Working across Gateshead Council, South Tyneside Council and Sunderland City Council, the Partnership is leading the delivery of significant national reforms that will change how recycling services are designed, funded and delivered. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in turning policy, funding and ambition into practical improvements that benefit residents across South Tyne and Wear.
Supporting services that make a difference to our communities
The South Tyne and Wear Waste Management Partnership is responsible for coordinating strategic waste and recycling activity across three local authorities.
National reforms, including Simpler Recycling and Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR), are creating new opportunities to improve recycling performance, introduce new services and deliver better outcomes for residents. The Partnership is also preparing for wider policy changes, including the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) and evolving environmental requirements affecting local authority waste services.
As Simpler Recycling Projects Co-ordinator, you will play a central role in helping us deliver these changes. You will work with colleagues across operational services, communications, ICT, procurement, finance and external organisations to coordinate projects, manage risks, support decision-making and ensure successful delivery.
About the role
Working under the direction of the Contracts Manager – Policy, the postholder will translate statutory requirements, policy direction and funding conditions into clearly scoped, deliverable projects, coordinating activity across Gateshead Council, South Tyneside Council and Sunderland City Council. This role is based across the South Tyne and Wear Waste Management Partnership area and will require regular travel to offices, depots, operational sites and meetings within Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland
NB: This is a fixed term position for 2 years. Interviews for this role are expected to take place Thursday 24th and Friday 25th September.
What you'll get to do:
- Coordinate the planning and delivery of priority Simpler Recycling and pEPR-funded projects, and other associated partnership-agreed initiatives as may potentially arise during recycling reprocessing contract renewal preparations, for example the introduction of separate fibre collections.
- Translate legislative requirements, statutory guidance and funding conditions into clearly defined project plans, option appraisals and delivery pathways.
- Develop and maintain proportionate business cases, option appraisals and delivery documentation, setting out costs, benefits, risks, dependencies and expected outcomes.
- Coordinate activity across operational services, communications teams, ICT, finance, procurement and external partners to ensure projects are practical, integrated and deliverable.
- Support the Partnership to explore, appraise and, where agreed, progress enhanced recycling services for under-captured materials, including textiles, small WEEE and household batteries.
- Monitor project progress, performance and outcomes and provide assurance through appropriate reporting and escalation arrangements.
- Maintain appropriate documentation and audit trails to demonstrate value for money and compliance with pEPR funding requirements.
- Identify, manage and escalate risks, issues and decision points through the Contracts Manager – Policy and established Partnership governance arrangements.
- Support the transition of completed projects into business-as-usual arrangements where delivery responsibility appropriately transfers to operational or service teams.
- Support coordination of workstreams arising from the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) and domestic actions required to respond to Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) scope changes affecting residual waste incineration, working within established governance and accountability arrangements.
- Undertake any other duties commensurate with the nature and level of the post.
What you'll bring:
- Experience of coordinating projects, programmes or complex work involving multiple stakeholders.
- Experience of developing reports, plans, business cases or other documentation to support decision-making.
- Experience of working collaboratively across teams, organisations or partnerships to deliver agreed outcomes.
- Ability to identify, manage and escalate project risks, issues and dependencies.
- A full current UK driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the travel requirements of the post through other means, as the role requires frequent travel between local authority offices, depots and operational sites across Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly to different audiences.
- Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent relevant experience in project delivery, environmental services or a related field.
What’s in it for you
- Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
- Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary – we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
- Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
- Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
- Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
- Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
- Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
- Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions – a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
- Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services – plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).
Our commitment to you
We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. At Gateshead Council we are an employer who embraces, and welcomes diversity, who's truly inclusive and who demonstrates equality for all. We'll go the extra mile so that our approach is representative of the communities we serve and each other. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
How to apply
You can apply online using the link below. Within the form, you’ll be asked for details about you, your career history, skills, experiences and qualifications.
We advise you to be as detailed and specific as possible, paying particular attention to any of the above which are relevant to the role to which you are applying.
For an informal discussion, please contact Anna Harrison, Contracts Manager – Policy, South Tyne and Wear Waste Management Partnership.
If you have any questions about your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our recruitment team via recruitment@gateshead.gov.uk
Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high-volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application.
Additionally, the Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.