Business Support Officer

37 hours per week

Fixed Term contract for 1 year

This role is office-based; however, it also offers some agile or remote working

Helping shape services for children, young people and families

We are committed to improving outcomes for children, young people and families on the Isle of Wight. Through partnership working, early intervention and community engagement, we work together to ensure families can access the right support at the right time.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and organised Business Support Officer to join our Family and Community Team.

This varied role provides essential administrative and coordination support to the Young Futures Hubs and Transformation Programme, Participation and Engagement activities, grant programmes and wider Family and Community Team priorities. You will play an important role in ensuring programmes and projects run effectively by maintaining records, supporting monitoring and reporting processes, coordinating meetings and events, and providing high-quality administrative and financial support.

The successful candidate will work closely with colleagues, partners, providers and community organisations, helping to maintain effective systems and processes that support positive outcomes for children, young people and families.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide administrative and coordination support across Family and Community Team programmes and activities.
• Maintain accurate records, databases, spreadsheets and monitoring systems.
• Support grant administration, including processing applications, maintaining records and supporting monitoring requirements.
• Collect, input and report on qualitative and quantitative data.
• Arrange meetings, workshops and engagement events, including preparing agendas and taking minutes.
• Provide financial administrative support, including invoices, purchase orders and grant payments.
• Respond to enquiries from colleagues, partners and members of the public in a professional and timely manner.
• Support the successful delivery of Family and Community Team priorities through effective administrative and organisational support.

Requirements

• Experience working in an administrative, business support or coordination role within a busy environment.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and work independently with limited supervision.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with experience liaising effectively with colleagues, partners, external agencies and members of the public.
• Experience of arranging meetings, workshops or events, including booking venues, preparing agendas and supporting papers, and taking accurate minutes.
• Good ICT skills, including Microsoft Office applications, database systems, and the ability to develop and maintain spreadsheets, trackers and reporting tools.
• Experience of maintaining accurate records, secure filing systems and audit trails, with a clear understanding of confidentiality, data protection and information governance requirements.
• Experience of collecting, validating, monitoring and reporting qualitative and quantitative data using a range of systems and databases.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to handle data, financial information and administrative processes accurately.
• Experience of financial administration, including processing invoices, purchase orders, payments and monitoring expenditure.
• Experience of working collaboratively with internal teams, partner agencies, providers and community organisations to support service delivery.
• Understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality and the sensitive handling of information relating to children, families and vulnerable individuals.
• Experience of providing advice and guidance on administrative processes and procedures.
• Educated to Level 3/4 standard or able to demonstrate equivalent experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive team and contribute to programmes that improve outcomes for children, young people and families. You will gain experience across a range of projects and initiatives whilst playing a vital role in supporting the delivery of services that make a real difference to local communities.

For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Charlene Augustus at charlene.augustus@iow.gov.uk or phone 01983 823169

Join #TeamIWC and you'll receive our staff benefits package, including:

• Annual leave entitlement of 32 days p/a PLUS public holidays!
• Local Government pension scheme
• Discounted Solent ferry travel
• Island bus network discount
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff parking permit scheme
• Discounted island sports & leisure gym membership
• National and local discounts & benefits schemes
• Relocation scheme of up to £8,000 may be available for some roles (subject to criteria)
• Travel allowance may be available if commuting from the mainland (subject to criteria)

To discover more about our careers please visit Jobs and careers - Isle of Wight

Find out more about Our culture and environment & living on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight Council currently does not have a license to sponsor overseas workers.

We actively promote the diversity of our workforce, and provide flexible working options (where appropriate) to support the different needs of our employees. We are an equal opportunities employer, proud to encourage applications from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities to better reflect the diversity within our local community.

We are a Disability Confident employer. Along with a number of commitments, this means, providing you meet the basic essential requirements of the advertised role and have declared yourself as disabled, you will be offered an opportunity for an interview within the council.

The Isle of Wight Council protects its employees from discrimination, and this is supported by;

unacceptable behaviour policy

employee code of conduct

The Isle of Wight Council’s Terms & Conditions of employment are available upon request. Please contact our recruitment team via adverts@iow.gov.uk if you would like to receive a copy.

The Isle of Wight Council reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than stated, if required. To ensure your application is considered, it is recommended to submit your application promptly.

Please note, appointment to a regulated role will require you to provide additional personal details, including full employment history, referee information, and consent for any required safeguarding checks, as part of the Council’s commitment to safer recruitment and compliance with regulatory requirements.

This council and its schools recruit according to the council’s Recruitment, Policy and Procedure and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.

For support completing your online application or for further information on how to apply, phone 01983 823134 or email callcentre@iow.gov.uk Only applications submitted online by the closing date will be accepted.

We often receive a high volume of applicants for our vacancies. If you do not hear from the recruiting manager within three weeks of the closing date, we regret that your application will not have been successful on this occasion. Please revisit our job page for alternate posts that may be suitable.