Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the Early Years Funding Team, auditing compliance and supporting funding processes.
- Company: Sheffield City Council is dedicated to enhancing early years education in Sheffield.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, generous holiday entitlement, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's education while working in a diverse and inclusive team.
- Qualifications: GCSE education required; strong communication, organisational, and ICT skills are essential.
- Other info: Guaranteed interview for disabled applicants meeting criteria; hybrid working available.
The predicted salary is between 32115 - 36124 £ per year.
This is an opportunity to join the Council's Early Years Funding Team, which is part of the Resourcing & Business Planning Service within the Education & Skills Portfolio.
This post will predominantly involve travelling to Sheffield based early years provider sites combined with working from home. The ability to be office based would be available if required, at Howden House.
The Early Years Funding Team supports the policy and strategy related to early years funding and is responsible for making payments to all Sheffield Early Years Providers, including Schools, Private, Voluntary & Independent Nurseries and Childminders, who deliver Funded Early Learning (FEL) places.
Sheffield's Early Years Providers deliver FEL to children from 9 months upwards to 5 years of age and claim funding from the Local Authority in the form of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Early Years Funding Block. The Early Years Block of funding is circa £80m, and the Early Years Funding Team control and monitor this budget and are responsible for ensuring providers are compliant in the delivery of FEL in line with the Sheffield Code of Practice.
Due to the introduction of the government's agenda surrounding Childcare Reforms, we are seeking to expand the team. We are dedicated and committed to delivering exceptional services to Sheffield Early Years providers, its parents and children accessing childcare places.
This role will predominantly focus on carrying out the audit compliance role in line with government guidance, which involves visiting Sheffield early years providers. It includes support for the administration of the Early Years payment process, which is processed on a number of excel spreadsheets using advanced formulae.
You will also be required to support the development of policy and strategy for the Children's Services Portfolio relating to Early Years Funding. You should be a self-motivated problem solver with strong communication, organisational, and ICT skills.
We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.
Under the Disability Confident Scheme, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview. All successful candidates will be required to complete a Basic DBS check.
Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.
If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.
Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026.
Grants Administration Officer employer: Sheffield City Council
Contact Detail:
Sheffield City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Grants Administration Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Early Years Funding policies and the Sheffield Code of Practice. Understanding these frameworks will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Sheffield City Council, especially those in the Early Years Funding Team. They can provide valuable insights into the team culture and expectations, which can be beneficial during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your Excel skills, particularly advanced formulae, as this role involves managing spreadsheets for payment processes. Being able to showcase your proficiency in this area can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your problem-solving abilities and how you've used them in past roles. This position requires a self-motivated approach, so having specific examples ready can help illustrate your fit for the job.
We think you need these skills to ace Grants Administration Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Grants Administration Officer position. Highlight key skills such as communication, organisational, and ICT skills that are essential for the role.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. Emphasise any previous roles in administration or finance, particularly those involving compliance or funding processes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for early years funding and your understanding of the challenges faced by Sheffield's Early Years Providers. Use specific examples from your experience to demonstrate how you can contribute to the team.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sheffield City Council
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of a Grants Administration Officer. Familiarise yourself with the Early Years Funding Team's role within the Sheffield City Council and be prepared to discuss how your skills align with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As this role involves working with various early years providers, strong communication skills are essential. Be ready to provide examples of how you've effectively communicated in previous roles, especially in situations that required problem-solving or negotiation.
✨Demonstrate Your ICT Proficiency
Since the position requires advanced Excel skills for managing funding processes, be prepared to discuss your experience with spreadsheets and any relevant software. You might even want to mention specific formulae or functions you are comfortable using.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Diversity
Sheffield City Council values equality, diversity, and inclusion. Be ready to share your thoughts on these topics and how you can contribute to creating an inclusive environment within the team and the wider community.
