Employment Support Data and Systems Officer

Job Introduction

We have a brilliant opportunity for an Employment Support Data & Systems Officer to join our team and play an important role in supporting the effective delivery of Employment Support programmes across the West Midlands.

You’ll be responsible for ensuring programme data is accurate, timely, secure and compliant, supporting the administration of referrals and participant activity across WMCA and external systems including Transfer Your File (TYF) and the DWP Provider Referral and Payments (PRaP) system.

You’ll also provide day-to-day systems support to delivery partners and local authorities, helping users navigate systems, resolve issues and maintain high-quality data. Your work will contribute directly to reliable programme monitoring, performance reporting, evaluation and financial assurance.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with data and systems, solving problems and building effective relationships with a range of partners and stakeholders.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll have a varied role, including:

• Processing and managing Employment Support programme referrals and participant activity across internal and external systems.
• Maintaining accurate, high-quality data and ensuring records are complete and up to date.
• Monitoring and updating the DWP PRaP system, including validating referrals and recording starts, changes and leavers.
• Producing and quality-checking performance and earnings reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Providing day-to-day systems support, guidance and training to local authorities and delivery partners.
• Supporting system user administration, onboarding and audits.
• Responding to stakeholder queries and resolving system and data issues.
• Supporting secure and compliant data sharing in line with GDPR and WMCA policies.
• Identifying risks and issues early and escalating where appropriate.
• Maintaining comprehensive records to support monitoring, evaluation and audit requirements.
• Working with programme colleagues to improve data quality, systems, workflows and reporting processes.
• Keeping up to date with system changes, DWP requirements and relevant internal processes.
• Supporting the validation of programme activity that may influence financial claims and payments.
• Contributing to effective programme reporting and information that supports decision making.

What’s essential.

We’re looking for someone who is organised, detail-focused and confident working with data and digital systems. You’ll be comfortable managing competing priorities, working independently and providing clear and helpful support to colleagues and external partners.

You’ll have:

• Experience handling, processing and maintaining high volumes of data across multiple digital systems.
• Experience working with a range of internal and external stakeholders and building effective working relationships.
• Experience providing systems support, guidance or training to colleagues, customers or partners.
• Working knowledge of digital workflows, system administration and user management.
• A sound understanding of GDPR and the secure handling of personal and sensitive information.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain information clearly to different audiences.
• Effective time management and the ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
• Intermediate Excel skills, including using formulas and creating and managing workbooks and worksheets.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, including producing and editing reports and presentations, creating charts and graphs, and managing calendars and schedules.
• Education to Level 3 standard, or equivalent relevant experience, in Business Administration, Digital Administration, Information Management or a related discipline.
• GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to be part of a team delivering important Employment Support programmes across the West Midlands.

You’ll work with colleagues, local authorities and delivery partners to make sure the information behind these programmes is accurate, reliable and well managed. Your work will help ensure participants are supported effectively, programme performance can be understood, and funding and activity are properly recorded and assured.

If you’re someone who enjoys working with data, systems and people, takes pride in getting the detail right and likes finding practical solutions to problems, we’d love to hear from you.

Due to the nature of this role and the handling of personal and sensitive resident data, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a satisfactory DBS check.

Location.

The location for this role is Summer Lane, Birmingham with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.

How to apply.

Applying for a role with WMCA is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started.

Create your Careers Account. Register with your name, email address, and a password.

Build your Profile. Upload your CV to help populate your career and education details.

Write your Supporting Statement. Make sure to address each of the required essential criteria.

Submit your application. Do one final check and once complete, click submit.

Please note, we reserve the right to close any vacancy from further submissions when we have received sufficient applications from which to make a shortlist. Please apply without delay if you wish to be considered for this role.

Anonymised Applications.

Your uploaded CV won’t be visible after submission. Our process is anonymised, and only the information in your profile is used for shortlisting. Be thorough in each section. It’s your chance to showcase your skills and experience.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We cannot stop anyone from using AI to help write application content. Used right, it can be a great tool. If you choose to use AI, then use it as a helper rather than relying on it wholly to write your application.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting. For help on how to write a supporting statement, please visit the FAQs section of our careers site.

Reasonable adjustments.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk).

Salary and benefits.

We advertise salary ranges, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
• Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme where you can build an additional pot of money alongside your pension with contributions exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs).
• 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more) + Statutory days.
• EV car benefit scheme
• Healthcare plans.
• Discounted gym membership, will writing, and mortgage advice.
• An option to buy a bicycle, including e-bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate.
• 3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer.
• Interest-free financing through SmartTech to buy the latest technology
• Discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers, and more. You can now also obtain a Costco membership through the WMCA.
• Boundless unlocks unlimited entry to top-rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts.
• Eye Care Scheme, offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses.

For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.

Why join WMCA?

WMCA is laser-focused on improving the West Midlands, bringing economic growth, jobs, homes, and better journeys to the region. We target local needs where it matters most, ensuring everyone has a job that pays well and has access to safe and affordable places they can call home.

We put people and place at the heart of everything we do, working hand in hand with our partners to direct funding where it's needed most. What you do, really matters. Your expertise will help make a big difference, improving people's lives, every day.

Our Values and Behaviours.

Fostering an environment where people feel valued, included, supported, and proud to contribute to our region is important to us at the WMCA. Our behaviours are more than statements; they guide how we work, make decisions, and treat one another - they set the standards we hold ourselves to and the experience we want others to have.

• Collaborative - We work as one organisation. Together we build trust, connection and shared purpose across teams, partners and residents to create the biggest impact for our region.
  
  
• Driven - We are focused on outcomes. We perform at our best to unlock productivity and delivery, achieving the greatest regional impact.
  
  
• Inclusive - We value difference. Creating an environment where people belong, and feel psychologically safe, so we can all thrive and shape a West Midlands built for everyone.
  
  
• Innovative - We are courageous. We embrace new ideas and challenge the status quo to continuously improve and shape the future of the West Midlands.

Creating an inclusive workplace.

WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.

We are also proud to be a Ban the Box employer, which means we do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage, and will only ask after an offer is made as part of our onboarding checks, which helps us remove barriers for people with past convictions and supporting fair opportunities for all.

We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.

We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying

Right to Work in the UK

Proof of Right to Work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant Visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).