Business Support Officer Ref: 10-25

Salary: Grade 10, starting at £23,152 per annum (pay award pending)
Hours: Full time, 37 per week
Basis: Permanent
Place of Work: Dereham

After a review of the Housing and Communities service we are excited to be expanding our service and we have a number of rewarding positions available.   Some of these are technical and specialist positions, ideal for individuals with knowledge and experience in housing legislation and some are more public-facing roles, which are perfect for those who excel at connecting with people, fostering relationships, and creating a welcoming environment.

We are recruiting a Business Support Officer to Assist the Housing Solutions service & teams to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of quality services and projects/initiatives.  This is a varied and interesting role.

For this role, would you like a job where what you do:

• Ensures a strong 'back bone' of administrative and technical business support is provided to the teams so that they can deliver high quality services on each and every occasion?
• Links across the housing service to help assist and advise those who need it most, often facing challenging circumstances?

About you:

Your qualities and behaviours are as important to us as your work experience.  Is this you?

• 'I recognise the skills, talent and experience of others and reach out to them for their contribution and input'
• 'I listen supportively to the ideas of others, building on their ideas, while sharing my views and knowledge'
• 'I have an open mindset, take risks and explore new ways of doing things'
• 'My approach to work is filled with positivity and optimism'
• 'I am flexible ensuring I provide the best possible service, wherever and whenever is best for the customer'
• 'I am driven to achieve results and show courage and resilience even when things don't go to plan'
• 'I take responsibility if things don't go well and learn from it for my own and for the organisation's development'
• 'I treat everyone with kindness, dignity and respect, valuing their thoughts, background and experience'
• 'I understand and take care of my own well-being and of that of those around me.'

OK, I'm interested... But is it really the job for me?

As an Business Support Officer you will:

• Processing and inputting data on databases and back office systems
• Updating and maintaining the housing pages on the website to reflect current guidance and advice, including the pages associated with the housing register and bidding site.
• Carrying out all procurement and invoicing related services for the teams
• Assisting with gathering data to respond to Freedom Of Information and Subject Access Requests
• Distributing post to relevant officers when received by email.  This may include uploading documents to relevant IT systems.
• Recording of loans and grants from housing budgets, including creating purchase orders within accounting system and processing of invoices and extra-ordinary payments as required.
• Recording and monitoring grant and loan payments and taking necessary actions as per procedures when loan repayments are not received. 
• Checking and processing invoices received for Housing Benefit Overpayments, to be signed off by budget holders.
• Assisting Officers and customers with the completion of referral forms
• Assisting Officers with completion of paperwork for tenancy and temporary accommodation changes.
• Ensuring properties are advertised correctly and liaise with partner landlords in relation to this.
• Assisting with responding to enquiries from applicants on the properties available on the weekly bidding cycle, how to bid, and guide them through placing online bids.

Please see the job description and person specification for more a comprehensive list of duties that the role normally entails as you could be asked to occasionally pick up other responsibilities, and also for the personal qualities needed.

Please be aware that applicants who do not submit a supporting statement showing how they meet the person specification will not be considered for interview.

Closing date - 9am, Monday 28^th April

Job summary

Description of duties

• Provide a specialist support service to all staff within the Housing Solutions service. To include, but not limited to:
• Processing and inputting data on databases and back office systems
• Updating and maintaining the housing pages on the website to reflect current guidance and advice, including the pages associated with the housing register and bidding site.
• Carry out all procurement and invoicing related services for the teams to include but not limited to:

1. Raising of purchase orders
2. Processing/raising of invoices
3. Benchmarking services/prices

• Assist with gathering data to respond to Freedom Of Information and Subject Access Requests
• Distribution of post to relevant officers when received by email.  This may include uploading documents to relevant IT systems.
• Recording of loans and grants from housing budgets, including creating purchase orders within accounting system and processing of invoices and extra-ordinary payments as required.
• Recording and monitoring of grant and loan payments and taking necessary actions as per procedures when loan repayments are not received. 
• Checking and processing invoices received for Housing Benefit Overpayments, to be signed off by budget holders.
• Assist Officers and customers with the completion of referral forms
• Assist Officers with completion of paperwork for tenancy and temporary accommodation changes.
• Ensure properties are advertised correctly and liaise with partner landlords in relation to this.
• Assist with responding to enquiries from applicants on the properties available on the weekly bidding cycle, how to bid, and guide them through placing online bids.
• Monitor team mailboxes, and action by forwarding to relevant officer or responding to emails as appropriate.
• Carry out administrative procedures relating to the lettings process and produce statistical information on homelessness, allocations, voids etc.
• Support the Systems Officer to produce reports for performance monitoring, including presenting data in tables and/or graphs. 
• Help and support other areas of work within the wider team, as requested by your Line Manager/Senior Management.
• Ensure compliance to all policies, procedures, standard operating practices, with recommendations for action and continuous improvement.

This job description is not exhaustive.

The job description outlines the current position and will be subject to review in the light of development within the service, in consultation with the post holder as detailed in your Contract of Employment.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Able to demonstrate experience of working in a busy office or business environment.
• Experience and knowledge of business /service administration in a similar role.
• Experience of working in a fast paced environment and able to deliver consistent quality results.
• Experience of working in a customer service based environment.
• Specialist working knowledge of a wide range of IT office applications including data input and use of databases
• Understanding & use of financial systems

Desirable

• Local authority or Registered Provider experience

Qualifications

Essential

• 5 GCSE's Grade C / Level 4 or above (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics
• Or equivalent experience of working in a similar role

Desirable

• Additional Relevant Qualifications

Essential Behaviours

Collaborative:

• 'I look for ways to work in partnership with colleagues across services, Members and external partners #oneteam'
• 'I recognise the skills, talent and experience of others and reach out to them for their contribution and input'
• 'I listen supportively to the ideas of others, building on their ideas, while sharing my views and knowledge'
• 'I celebrate success with my colleagues'

Ambitious:

• 'I am a proud ambassador for the Council, taking pride and responsibility for the work we do and encouraging others to do the same'
• 'I have an open mindset, take risks and explore new ways of doing things'
• 'My approach to work is filled with positivity and optimism'
• 'I work hard to build relationships inside and outside my own area of work'

Results Driven:

• 'I am flexible, ensuring I provide the best possible service, wherever and whenever is best for the customer'
• 'I am driven to achieve results and show courage and resilience even when things don't go to plan'
• 'I understand our council priorities and how I make a difference.'
• 'I keep to my promises and challenge myself and others to deliver high-quality services'
• 'I make sure I am clear on what I need to achieve, keeping a focus on results and solutions'

Empowering:

• 'I show energy and drive to explore new opportunities and challenge the status quo'
• 'I take responsibility if things don't go well and learn from it for my own and for the organisation's development'
• 'I appropriately challenge unacceptable behaviour'
• 'I ask for help and support when needed'

Supportive:

• 'I treat everyone with kindness, dignity and respect, valuing their thoughts, background and experience'
• 'I understand and take care of my own well-being and of that of those around me.'
• 'I treat others as I would want to be treated myself ensuring I am welcoming, friendly and approachable'
• 'I care for my colleagues, taking an interest in them, showing support for their personal identities and what's important to them'
• 'I trust colleagues to do their job knowing this may not always be visible in a traditional 9-5 work pattern'
• 'I give time to colleagues who need help or support, even when the pressure is on'

Health & Safety (exposure to risk)

• Complex and varied work area. Need to manage to tight deadlines and look after welfare (workplace stress)
• Some front facing customer contact. Could face angry/verbally aggressive/ verbally abusive customers (phone/email).
• Majority of task is spent at work station/sedentary- VDU/ Work Related Upper Limb and Posture issue
• Exposure to some personal and sensitive data and records which could affect mental well being.

What's it like to work for us?

We are passionate about our people and pride ourselves on being a great place to work, we genuinely care and know that a happy workforce is a productive and motivated one! If you're still not sure, here are some stats from our 2024 staff survey to convince you..

• 94% said they feel trusted and empowered
• 90% of staff recommend Breckland as a great place to work
• 89% said they have had opportunities to learn and grow in the last 12 months
• 94% think Breckland provide positive action on health and wellbeing
• 91% said they felt supported by their manager

If you STILL need convincing, here's what some of our staff say...

• "Breckland is a fantastic employer, lots of opportunities and support"
• "Having only just started, it is a great place to work, everyone says hello, is smiley and chatty. I like the groups that are on, like carers shed and neurodiversity"
• "We are encouraged to take regular breaks and there are mental health first aiders and a wide range of good promotional aspects of healthy living and wellbeing."
• "In times of need the council offers excellent support."
• "BDC really does seem to care about the wellbeing and happiness of their staff."

At Breckland Council we have embraced the Government's agenda to modernise local government. Our approach is to lead change rather than follow it, and to add the best value we can to our communities. We achieve this by developing our employees to their full potential, providing them with the relevant knowledge, equipment, and authority to carry out their duties.

We are a dynamic and innovative organisation that is always testing and learning as we seek to continually improve. We have never stood still in response to the emergence of new opportunities, changing customer demands, and ongoing funding challenges. We have exciting plans for how to deliver the best possible services to our residents and businesses.

Breckland as a district is a special place nestled in the heart of rural Norfolk, spanning over 500 square miles of beautiful countryside and forest, with five Market Towns and over 140,000 residents. We care, we listen, and we support people and businesses within our district. We have big ideas and we are innovative in our approach, coming up with ways to meet the needs of the local communities that we serve. Through our actions, we want to make things better.

But we know that we can't do it alone. We are a collaborative organisation and we work together with others to make a greater impact. We are also an organisation where our employees can grow and develop and are empowered to achieve and succeed. We are proud of our area, and by driving investment and enabling opportunities, we can maximise its full potential. We want to inspire aspiration to live, work, visit, or do business here: we want our district to be one of choice.

We will support and enable growth and change in our thriving, welcoming places where people and businesses choose to be, knowing their ambitions can be not just fulfilled but exceeded. By listening to people, by understanding what they need and by working together, we can shape what we have to offer. By doing so, we can benefit those who are already here and those who choose to come to live, work, visit, or do business.

We offer excellent conditions of service, including:

• A local government pension scheme (14 per cent employer contribution).
• Attractive holiday package (25 days increasing after three years' continuous Local Authority service by one day per year up to the maximum of 28 days, plus bank holidays)
• Free car parking.
• Remote-enabled working arrangements.
• A newly refurbished office. See what it is like working here by watching this short film: 
  

Our commitment to talent development, on the job learning and upskilling, training and professional memberships, will keep your knowledge and skills up to date.

Please see the job description and person specification for more a comprehensive list of duties that the role normally entails as you could be asked to occasionally pick up other responsibilities, and also for the personal qualities needed.

Please be aware that applicants who do not submit a supporting statement showing how they meet the person specification will not be considered for interview.

If you would like an informal chat regarding this role please contact Jane Booth, Housing Solutions Team Manager, by emailing jane.booth@breckland.gov.uk

Closing date - 9am, Monday 28^th April
Interview date - 22nd May 2025

APPLY ONLINE

Please be aware that if you are selected for this role there will be a requirement to undertake a DBS check as part of pre-employment checks.

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to being an Equal Opportunities employer, recognising the benefits of sustaining a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. We welcome applications from anyone who feels they meet the requirements of our vacancies. These are listed as essential requirements on the person specification.