is this a normal job role or I am being stupid staying?

[bipbapbomp]

I finished my degree in December last year, and struggled to find a job relevant to it - I took a job in a supermarket over Christmas to make sure I didn't go too far into my overdraft, and it did tied me over! Luckily, on the 3rd January I was approached by someone on LinkedIn who offered me a job interview for a assistant project manager role. The interview was informal, and he said CV speaks for itself etc etc - and I got offered the job on the day. I started the week after.

At the interview, it was made clear that I would be supported ("micromanaged") by the manager. The role is part time (3 days a week), and as I am completing a second Masters now, these are on specific days, agreed with management: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

As the location is remote, I am based in an office on my own in a city centre location.

So quick summary!
working as an assistant project manager, 3 days a week, first role as this and was told I would get a lot of support, and in a location on my own, where I don't have support from anyone else in the business.

The CEO I am working for is really lovely and says I am doing a good job, but I'm not sure...

So here's my problem:

• I am totally unsure of what my role is. I do not have a job description. I don't even have a contract.

• I am forwarded emails to reply to, without context or understanding of what is needed with the reply.

• I am not given tasks, targets or ANYTHING to achieve that would stretch the 3 days. Arranging training is something I have been given; but doesn't take a great deal of time. I know there's an element of you have to create your own workload, but because of the sector this is, it would be impossible to create a new project etc.

• On most days I am twiddling my thumbs. This is made worse because I am in an office on my own - it stresses me out as I don't have anyone checking if I even came in! I could easily (and would never actually do this) not come in. Also, there's not a lot of support if I need it.

• On the days I am not meant to be working, I will get emails asking me to email/send an update to someone; and on the business Whatsapp they will ask me to do this - even when I am in Uni on my "days off". At the moment this is obviously fine, as I am struggling to find work to stretch the 3 days I do work. But, I am worry that there will be an expectation that I would "as and when" for the money I get - emails come in at like 11pm to reply to.

I am feeling deflated. Does this sound dodgy/rubbish or is it me being an inexperienced idiot?

I am getting really anxious that I am missing something, not doing the job properly or I am going to make a mistake. I have spoken to management prior to this and they've said I'm doing well, just carry on. But with what??

AIBU or is this job not a good option?

Use the time to do your thesis.

You will miss this job in the future but I get how you’re frustrated atm.

As others have said, I think what has happened is the charity applied for funding for a project and included within that funding application was an amount to cover the salary for your role. When the funding came in, they had to appoint someone to that role.

As soon as the money was received they had to hire someone to do the job. Or, possibly, they got the funding in December and with Christmas etc didn't get round to looking for someone until January - hence the speed of your appointment.

But that's no excuse for no contract, no job description etc. Just ask for these - it won't go against you if you do.

They will have been allocated funding and have had to appoint someone by a certain date. The advance pay will be because they had to show they are spending it every month or it would get taken off them
Unfortunately a lot of small charities apply for funding and then are granted it but then don’t really know what to do with it. It shouldn’t happen especially today but it does

Exactly @Ennith so I’m assuming the answer is no and the OP already knows that’s dodgy AF!!!

I also wouldn’t be surprised if when a job contract does appear you are asked to put a previous date on it from a month or so ago.

It’s “ tide me over”

Sounds like my ideal job! Pm me the details if you leave

There’s ALOT of non jobs out there. A work colleague of mine gets paid £30k to do a job that someone else got paid £16k to do.... she’s completely useless, can’t even do it properly but been there so long management won’t say anything.

Please join a trade union so you are protected; if these people aren't shysters then they suffer from maverick disorganisation which could quickly leave you very vulnerable.

www.tuc.org.uk/join-union

I wish I could find a well paying non job

I would say you need to be more vocal. Meet with the CEO, if they are lovely, and ask for some more support, ask if you can go to the remote location and meet the team. Call your boss at the beginning of the day and ask what will be happening for the day/what to expect.

If you have a HR advisor call them, ask for a contract and job description. Say the latter is for your LinkedIn profile as this is your first role. They may not have one if you are the first assigned to the role.

I employ 120 people, I meet with their heads of department on a Monday morning and outline the week, they then do a morning daily outline for their teams. This means I can work remotely and they can but we all know what we’re doing.

@bipbapbomp
As you work for a charity they'll have a known presence and organisational structure. Contact the HR person and discuss your concerns

Its difficult to say without knowing the specific sector but I think it’s true across the board that most assistant project manager jobs are a mix of admin, document management, and a lot of chasing people and organising meetings and training etc. Some also manage team diaries and email and update risk logs etc.

IME when small charities talk about projects or programmes they are talking about a discrete piece of service delivery or similar that has a particular funding stream. They don’t mean project or programme delivery in the sense it’s used in e.g. construction, software, IT etc.

As others have said, use the time to complete your masters thesis and maybe some professional qualifications if project management is what you wish to do.

As for the other questions about contract, holidays, etc ask, and keep asking until you are clear. If you want to do project work you’re likely to do a fair bit of dropping in and out of organisations and teams and you have to get used to asking for what you need.

@NettleTea - so do I. Dream job. Sit on my own in an office in centre of a city, working on my own projects and getting paid for it, with the occasional email to answer so I don't feel guilty.

It's perfectly normal for your post to be funded by a local authority but not paid directly to you. It sounds like they have a grant or contract from the local authority, and some of that pays your salary. The local authority wouldn't pay your salary directly, or that would make you a local authority employee, not the charity's employee.

Rest of it sounds ridiculous though.

I think you sound a bit lost and some of this is the charity's fault but some you can fix yourself. Get curious, research everything about the charity and the project. Imagine someone asking you about what the charity does, make sure you can answer them! Also 'could your charity help me' 'could I volunteer for your charity' - basic questions like that.
Make a who's who of everyone in the organisation, and everyone in the same field.
Watch some TED talks.
Join charity connect website and read things on there.
Good luck.

If you're not sure how to bring any of this up, ask for "one month review" (or whatever is a good date - six weeks) with the CEO so you can both discuss how it's going. At that, bring up a list of questions such as 'I need a contract and a payslip'.

I think this job could be a good thing. Like others have said do the work needed but don’t spend the rest of the time stressing, use it to your advantage and do other things you need to do. Don’t feel guilty about being paid to not do much, you need the money to live so you aren’t being selfish or anything.