Job Description

Job info	Job info details
Job title	R&B Systems-Technical & Reporting
Strategic team/Directorate	Finance
Service	Financial Services
Business unit	Financial Services – Revenues & Benefits
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Financial Systems Manager - R&B
Accountable to (line manager)	Financial Systems Manager - R&B
Salary grade	J
JE ref	FIN094

1. Key purpose of job

To support the professional accounting duties undertaken by Financial Services and in particular the Revenues & Benefits Systems Team and to provide support for the day-to-day operations of the corporate Revenues & Benefits finance systems and several specialist feeder systems; to ensure the correct function of overnight processes. To provide the role of System Module Lead for Open Portal, Upgrades, System Fixes, Reporting and Development.
To support the role of lead officer in regard to the Council’s use of Business Analytics (BA) applications, transforming the way BA is used within the authority on behalf of Financial Services.
To perform a significant role in the corporate implementation of Microsoft Power BI and other reporting software (Crystal), supporting the production of accurate data visualisations; and to lead on the design and implementation of BI solutions to provide strategic, financial, and business information at all levels within the organisation to support informed decision making.
To be responsible for the administration and integration of Revenues & Benefits corporate systems into the corporate data warehouse, data modelling and analysis, and the Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) process on behalf of Finance and other support services.
To provide specialist advice and support to the IT Software Development Unit, Torbay Council finance power BI users in Microsoft power BI design and best practices.
To provide effective business change by building relationships with senior strategists, planners, report designers and operational business partners on behalf of Financial Services and other corporate support services.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

The effective administration, maintenance and development of the Revenues and Benefits Information and Management Systems and the integration to W360 document management system, including the application of upgrades and system development.
An up to date & user-friendly Revenues & Benefits finance system, maximising automation of process.
Timely and effective communication of Revenues & Benefits financial data to business units and senior management, to allow them to manage their budgets. To establish and update, personalised financial dashboards for all council staff with budget and/or financial responsibilities.
Provision of creative, effective and efficient automated solutions with regards to high level Council Wide project work (i.e. Transformation Programme) and other areas of work asked to participate in on an ongoing basis.
Ensures data security, data access, system efficiency and resilience.
Positive contribution to the overall management, development, and improvement of Financial Services.
Proactively identify opportunities for improvements in how the system is used to maximise existing system functionality to improve Revenues & Benefits service delivery.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services.
To lead and manage the effective administration, maintenance and development of the Revenues & Benefits Financial Information and Management Systems (currently Civica Open Revenues) and the Open Portal system (OP).
To analyse qualitative and quantitative complex data and present the analysis (both ad hoc and planned) to managers at all levels of the organisation through (for example) user friendly dashboard analysis and drill though to transactional data.
To lead in the development of BI systems and reports to aid in the collation of statutory returns on behalf of the Finance departments and provision of information for audit.
To support the R&B Financial Systems Manager in the provision of the financial systems administration function administered by the Head of Finance and the Financial Systems Team.
To promote and support the maintenance and development of existing and new corporate Financial Information and Management Systems.
As a member of the FIMS Project Board attend meetings, manage the project areas that you have responsibility for on a day-to-day basis ensuring the project delivers the required products to the agreed standards of quality within the time constraints, and to be conscious of cost constraints.
Ensuring effective co-ordination of project/programme workstreams and the management of their independencies including oversight of any risks and issues arising.
Ensuring effective project/programme governance including rigorous reporting and briefing systems between all relevant groups and individuals.
Initiating activities and management interventions wherever gaps in projects/programmes identified or issues raised.
Work closely with external software suppliers as part of the ongoing development of Revenues & Benefits systems and reporting.
Build strong working relationships with a variety of stakeholders forging strong strategic alliances with key partners and stakeholders. Communicate effectively delivering concise, pertinent project documentation and reports as required.
To ensure the Revenues & Benefits finance system remain efficient and effective with well tested and implemented patches & fixes. Investigate the use of other applications to automate previously manual processes.
To keep abreast of current legislative changes and the effects they may have on financial systems and the production of the Council’s annual Statement of Accounts.
Data Management & Data Security: Takes responsibility for the integration, accessibility, and protection of data within the corporate data warehouse. Ensures the availability, integrity, and accessibility of data for reporting purposes through the application of formal data structures and protection measures. Investigates major breaches of security and recommends appropriate control measure improvements.
Maintains an in-depth knowledge of specific technical specialism – for example, Microsoft Power BI and Crystal reporting and provides expert advice regarding their application and best practice.
Data Warehouse Management: Work with IT to ensure cohesive strategy and develop plans, policies and processes for the design, monitoring, measurement, reporting and continuous improvement of service and component availability, including the development and implementation of new availability techniques and methods.

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

None.

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

Direct line management for R&B Technical Apprentice.

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

Normal working conditions.
Hybrid working.

7. Physical demands of the post

Normal physical effort.

8. Specific resources used by the post

Usual IT equipment and accessibility for office working and home working.

9. Key contacts and relationships

External

All relevant Government departments such as Department of Work and Pensions, Department for Communities and Local Government.
Civica software products at all levels in connection with system support, implementation, and development.
Colleagues within the Open Revenues User Group and Product Enhancement Groups.
Other Local Authorities.
Valuation Office for Council Tax Banding and Local Housing Allowance for Housing Benefit.
External auditors for the annual audit of Housing Benefit subsidy and National Non-Domestic Rates.

Internal

All levels of Torbay staff from across all departments, in relation to the provision of the reporting infrastructure for their Revenues & Benefits related Business Intelligence requirements (Chief Executive, Directors and Divisional Directors, Chief Finance Officer, Council Officers, Senior Business Partners).
Performance and Risk Management Team, Information Governance Team.
Financial Services Management Team.
Revenues & Benefits team, Corporate Debt team and Customer Services, to provide practical support, advice, and assistance to staff at all levels that have access to Open Revenues and W2.
IT Services to maximise system availability, technical advice, load new software, resolve problems affecting hardware, restoring network connections for remote working.
Finance to provide financial data on income and expenditure for National Non-Domestic Rates, Council Tax, Housing Benefit subsidy, Council Tax Support and Welfare Support scheme grants, as well as other discretionary funds.
Devon Audit Partnership to provide assistance and advice when auditing Civica Open Revenues and cashiering system covering, National Non-Domestic Rates, Council Tax, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support and Welfare Support.

10. Other duties

To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Other Information

All staff must commit to the Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Policy.
Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Childrens Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council.
This post is historically based at Tor Hill House although changes to working from home practices allow for hybrid home working.
You will be asked to complete a Criminal Records Self Declaration Form. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post. You will only be asked to disclose ‘unspent’ convictions.
The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement.
The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
If this post is customer facing, it will require the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	R&B Systems-Technical & Reporting
Strategic team/Directorate	Finance
Service	Financial Services
Business unit	Financial Services – Revenues & Benefits

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

Ability to think and behave innovatively and creatively as well as being able to effectively to keep up to date with developments in BI technology for a number of reporting software applications.
Ability to be adaptable and effectively take on new skills quickly to include the ability to promote the use of new technologies to a wider audience.
Effective and proven analytical skills to enable them to work on complex problems on their own or when leading a team.
Effective personal time management. To include the ability to prioritise and deliver to agreed deadlines through the use of effective organisational skills.
Ability to be self-motivated and work well within a team.
Ability to demonstrate effective leadership skills as this role will need to be able to actively engage colleagues and external contacts, both technical and non-technical alike.
Effective communication skills, to determine exact requirements from all levels of internal and external customers, as well as engage in effective negotiations with suppliers.
Ability to effectively convey complex information accurately and clearly, explaining in plain English rather than IT Jargon.
Ability to demonstrate effective business acumen in order to identify the most appropriate application of technology against the business needs.
Effective project management and leadership skills and be responsible for or contribute to corporate projects.
Effective presentation skills with the ability to deliver presentations to groups of colleagues at all levels within the organisation, either in-person or remotely via video conferencing.
Ability to provide clear, concise documentation for consumption by Torbay Council colleagues.
Ability to quickly upskill to new technologies & software with self-directed learning as required.
Ability to manage a team to provide the outcomes required.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

Ability to effectively convert top-level requirements or goals into a practical set of deliverables through to successful completion.

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

Working towards extensive practical knowledge of designing and developing Business Intelligence dashboards and reports.
Detailed knowledge of data warehousing techniques using data tools.
Detailed knowledge of the Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) process, data cleansing, data modelling and system integrations.
Proven knowledge in a project management approach of the delivery of improvement and change.
Effective knowledge of Revenues & Benefits Financial System administration and development.
Effective knowledge and understanding of the underlying legislation surrounding data security and be aware of associated risks and controls that need to be in place to adequately secure data.
Working Knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Working knowledge of Public Sector accounting and relevant guidance and legislation relating to Revenues & Benefits (including application of Financial Regulations & Standing Orders).
Detailed knowledge of Revenues & Benefits Financial Systems and their architecture.

Desirable knowledge

Detailed knowledge of working with data from a number of different database architectures.
Working knowledge of the different council departments and functions, and their specific software.

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

Demonstrable experience in the successful delivery and support of Business Intelligence through corporate level reporting systems with different reporting software applications.
Experience of problem solving, being innovative and creative in terms of designing and implementing solutions.
Positive track record of motivating and influencing colleagues and others.
Experience of working across multiple departments and dealing tactfully and persuasively with matters arising.
Experience of dealing with staff at all levels in professional situations.
Experience in the support and maintenance of corporate BI systems.
Experience of BI based projects working on own initiative and involving the full project life cycle.
Experience of contributing to Finance best practices in terms of change management, release management and general development practices.
Experience of maintaining accurate records and information, and evidence of critically evaluating and explaining financial information.
Relevant experience of leading on a Business Intelligence transformation programme where creative solutions have been introduced to meet the business needs of the organisation.
Experience in taking a lead role on a financial system module, for example OpenPortal & System Development.
Experience of integrating BI solutions across a mix of data sources and platforms.
Experience of administration and development of a finance system.

Desirable experience and achievements

Experience of managing scale corporate BI solutions.

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

Educated to Degree level (including HND, professional/enhanced skill qualification) or equivalent or demonstratable work related experience in appropriate areas.
IT based qualification, for example: The Association of Certified IT Professionals (ACITP), Diploma in Computer Programming or equivalent or demonstratable work related experience in appropriate areas.
Evidence of continued professional development.
PRINCE 2 project management qualification, or working towards this.

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

Formal training in Microsoft Power BI or other reporting software.
Business Intelligence or Data Analyst certification.
Institute of Leadership and Management Level 3 or equivalent.

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK in order to carry out duties.
Ability to accommodate occasional home-working.