Business Support Officer

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

The role of the Business Support Officer is a pivotal and valuable one. From providing a warm welcome to people visiting EoLP at Spring Farm, and all telephone enquiries, to booking delegates/students onto courses, sessions and study days, supporting projects, data entry and general administrative support through to ordering resources and operating relevant financial procedures. A number of ICT platforms are used on a daily basis to enter or evaluate data, run reports and manage systems. The Business Support Officer will also be required to provide mentorship and support to Business Support Assistants and/or volunteers as appropriate.

The post holder is required to be qualified at NVQ level 2 or above, have relevant experience in working in a busy office environment and managing a caseload. There will be regular contact with a range of health and social care professionals, education/academic professionals, students and members of the public; therefore the post holder will need the ability to adapt accordingly.

A key requirement of the role will be to be a team player and to prioritise workloads with other team members, delegating as necessary.

Key Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide comprehensive administrative support to EoLP’s four distinct work programme teams and the Head of Business Support Services
• Take responsibility for the development, implementation, booking, co-ordinating and setting up of events for the four work programmes, as required
• Respond sensitively, confidentially and courteously to all enquiries, ensuring responses are prompt and appropriate
• Attend meetings and produce action notes/minutes as required
• Undertake accurate data entry and presentation of information using appropriate technology for evaluation purposes
• Maintain EoLP’s stock of office consumables, including stationery/perishables and processing of invoices to finance department
• Undertake general housekeeping tasks to ensure organisational activities run smoothly e.g. set up and clear up of rooms, stock replenishment etc

Other Duties:

Communicating Effectively- The post holder is required to communicate complex information clearly, courteously and accurately, orally and in writing to a wide range of internal and external partners. The post holder is required to actively listen to colleagues and customers and respond respectfully. The post holder will minute meetings where necessary, and/or provide written reports/evaluations/action plans in line with EoLP’s requirements.

Planning and Organisation- The post holder is required to take responsibility for planning and prioritising their own work, within the requirements of the role as determined by their Line Manager; ensuring deadlines are met in a timely fashion, and information is relayed accurately. The post holder will also be expected to co-ordinate the contributions of those involved in delivering education and training within EoLP. Additionally the post holder is required to support and guide, where relevant, the workload of any Business Support Assistants and/or Volunteers as required – ensuring high standards are being applied and agreed processes are being followed.

Collaborative Working- The post holder is required to participate in the work of the Business Support Services Team as a whole, as well as having individual responsibilities for each work programme. It is also important for the post holder to maintain good, positive relationships both with delegates/students and with external partners. The post holder will be required to represent EoLP in a professional manner at all times, and will therefore be responsible for maintaining and enhancing the image and reputation of the organisation.

Effective Decision Making- The post holder reports to the Head of Business Support Services as necessary, but has the freedom to act independently in order to accomplish objectives, within an overall framework set by their line manager. The post holder is expected to demonstrate individual initiative and to exercise professional judgment and discretion in the guidance/information provided to staff, delegates/students and partners. The post holder will need to take some operational decisions using their own initiative in light of competing pressures.

When responding to queries, the post holder will be required to take independent decisions on how to respond and who to refer queries onto. The post holder will also be required to make collaborative decisions with colleagues within the Business Support Services team on changes to operational policies and procedures.

Delivering a High Quality Standard of Service- The post holder is required to provide a high standard of customer service at all times; dealing promptly and constructively with all enquiries and requests received. Much of this contact will relate to enquiries regarding study days and courses, but occasionally sensitive and complex situations may arise, such as discussions around student finances and/or end of life care issues. Decisions on these more complex matters will normally be referred elsewhere but clarity and diplomacy will be required in dealing with them. The post holder is required to maintain data protection and confidentiality standards at all times. The post holder is required to work within the limits of their own competence and levels of responsibility and accountability within the team and organisation. The post holder has a duty to ensure resources are used/maintained efficiently and effectively and encourage others to do so.

Personal Development- The post holder will be expected to identify and discuss with their Line Manager any problems with carrying out tasks within their workload. With the support of the Line Manager, the post holder should identify what training/knowledge may be needed to allow them to do their job better and also identify when they need additional help/support. The post holder will also be required to the support the development of skills and knowledge for the Business Support Assistant(s) and/or Volunteer(s), supporting them to carry out their roles effectively. Four to eight weekly one to one meetings with the Head of Business Support Services and an annual appraisal will be carried out in line with EoLP’s policies and processes.

Pastoral Care and Welfare- The post holder may be required to show sensitivity to those who may need help or, in extreme cases, are showing signs of obvious distress; initiate appropriate action by involving relevant people.

Health, Safety and Security- The post holder is required, at all times, to act in ways that are consistent with legislation, policies and procedures for maintaining their own/others health, safety and security. The post holder is expected to assist in maintaining a healthy, safe and secure working environment for everyone who is in contact with the organisation (across multiple sites, where appropriate). The post holder will be required to report both actual and potential health and safety issues/risks in a timely manner; completing both accident books and incident forms as per EoLP’s Health and Safety policy.

Equality, Diversity and Rights- The post holder is expected to act in a way that is in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures, as well as good practice. The post holder is required to treat everyone with whom they come into contact with dignity and respect; acknowledging different opinions/perspectives and not discriminating in any way.

Specific Job Requirements

Essential

• Ability to use range of IT systems

Qualifications

Essential

• Principles of administration and business equivalent to NVQ/NQF level 2 or above or willingness to complete
• Clait level 2/ECDL NVQ/OCR in IT Use level 2 or above or willingness to complete

Desirable

• Recognised customer care/communication skills course

Experience

Essential

• At least two years recent experience working within a busy office environment providing administrative support to multiple users
• Use of IT skills and application to wide range of administrative and business functions
• Excellent customer service
• Experience of mentoring/supporting team members and/or Volunteers

Knowledge

Essential

• Principles of administration and business management
• Competent in use of Microsoft office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access and Powerpoint) excellent keyboard skills
• Ability to demonstrate practical experience of databases/booking systems
• Principles of excellent customer care
• Ability to take minutes/action notes at meeting
• Working knowledge of social media e.g. Twitter/Facebook

Desirable

• Awareness of the national and local priorities and changing trends in end of life care

Skills and Personal Attributes

Essential

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent time management and organisational skills, ability to prioritise workload, manage multiple tasks concurrently, work autonomously and meet deadlines
• Flexible working practice; flexibility and adaptability of approach in response to the changing needs of the organisation encouraging new ways of working and managing change
• Ability to use range of IT systems
• Ability to work systematically with attention to detail
• Ability to work with others to coordinate, develop, lead and deliver excellent administrative support to the organisation
• Willingness and keenness to develop and progress own skills and performance
• Willingness to use initiative and be flexible and adaptable in approach and attitude to work
• Ability to use own initiative and to exercise professional judgment and considerable discretion in guidance/information provided
• Ability to monitor and follow through decisions and disseminate information effectively
• Have the self-motivation and confidence to achieve personal and organisational goals
• Ability to communicate complex information at all levels to customers and colleagues using a variety of communication methods oral and written
• Ability to produce and present information verbally and in writing
• Ability to mentor and support Business Support Assistants and Volunteers as required to ensure consistency and quality standards are maintained across the team
• Ability to contribute within a team, across teams and with other partner organisations

Desirable

• Comfortable working within a developing team where work priorities and opportunities are continually emerging

Other

Essential

• Car driver/ means of independent travel to various work settings across a wide geographical area.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).