At a Glance
- Tasks: Support early years funding and improve access to childcare for families.
- Company: Join a dedicated team within the council focused on children's education.
- Benefits: Generous leave, wellbeing support, and discounts on various services.
- Other info: Hybrid working with opportunities for professional growth and training.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Relevant qualification in finance or business studies and experience in a similar role.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
The Early Years Team is part of the Education, Learning and Skills division within the Department for People. The team is responsible for the council's legal duties relating to education, including the sufficiency of early year’s places. By joining the Early Years Team, you will play an important role in ensuring that children and families can access the provision and support they need. Your work will help improve access to early entitlement funding and ensure sufficient early years and childcare places are available, contributing to positive outcomes for children and young people across South Gloucestershire.
What you will be doing
- Develop and implement all financial processes to support the Early Years team, including purchases, budget tracking, ordering and setting up new suppliers and undertaking their checks.
- Assist the Early Years Operations Manager by collating, processing, manipulating, analysing and presenting data and financial information to support service delivery and planning.
- Be responsible for all payments to early years providers and the tracking of spend, including Early Years Pupil Premium, Disability Access Fund and Early Years Inclusion Support Fund.
- Review and improve financial processes by liaising with other departments and teams within the council and beyond to access, process and present data in support of early years initiatives.
- Develop systems to automate payment processes, for example through gov.pay.
- Provide support, advice, guidance and training to parents and providers, responding to queries from providers via the funding portal.
- Ensure that providers accessing funding for places are correctly registered and that claims are accurately monitored.
What we need from you
- You must hold, or be working towards, a relevant professional or technical qualification, such as AAT, NVQ4, or an equivalent relevant qualification in business studies or finance.
- It is essential that you have worked in a similar service area, such as within a council or financial services, and have a good understanding of the early years sector, financial requirements, local government, and working within statutory frameworks.
- You should have well-developed interpersonal and communication skills, enabling you to build relationships and engage successfully with early years providers, parents and other agencies.
- Experience of working flexibly within a team and across different areas of activity and projects, meeting service standards, targets and deadlines while undertaking information analysis, report production and financial processing.
- Good literacy and numeracy skills, enabling you to undertake research, present findings in a clear, concise format, and produce accurate reports, data charts and cash flow statements.
- Excellent knowledge of Excel and the ability to learn and use appropriate specialist in-house software packages.
What you need to know
- This role is hybrid, with a mixture of working at our office in Yate and from home.
- Due to the nature of this role, it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained.
- You will be expected to travel throughout the authority and surrounding area, so you must have a full, valid driving licence with regular access to a vehicle or have an alternative means of travel.
Benefits
- Generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and staff discounts including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.
- We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work.
- We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.
- We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives, and we offer genuine flexibility to help them achieve that work/life balance.
- We invest in the careers of our people, and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps our people make the greatest long-term difference in their work.
Funding and Sustainability Officer - Early Years Team employer: South Gloucestershire Council
South Gloucestershire Council is an excellent employer for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will benefit from flexible working opportunities, generous annual leave, and a supportive work culture that values collaboration and positive change. Join us in a role where your contributions directly impact the community and foster meaningful growth.
Contact Details:
South Gloucestershire Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Funding and Sustainability Officer - Early Years Team
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We think you need these skills to ace Funding and Sustainability Officer - Early Years Team
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for South Gloucestershire Council and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at South Gloucestershire Council
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with South Gloucestershire Council, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
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Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for South Gloucestershire Council.
