DIRECTORATE OF REGENERATION, ECONOMY & SKILLS

SECTOR SUPPORT OFFICER

SCALE 4/5

£16,991 - £21,306

REF: REC 01530

Contents

1. Letter from the Human Resources Manager

2. The Council’s Vision and Objectives

3. Job Description

4. Person Specification

5. Conditions of Service

6. Information on Exempted Posts

7. Equal Opportunities and Diversity Strategy Leaflet is available to view on http://www.knowsley.gov.uk/resources/170982/equal_opp_diversity_strat.pdf

8. Equality and Diversity Sub Groups

9. Application Form and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

1

Dear Applicant

POST OF SECTOR SUPPORT OFFICER

Thank you for your enquiry about the post within Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council.

Please find enclosed further details about the post and an application form for you to complete and return by the 24 July 2009. Any potential applicant who wishes to find out more about Knowsley MBC can access our website at www.knowsley.gov.uk.

Interviews are likely to take place within three weeks of the closing date. If you have not heard by then you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful. If you wish your application to be acknowledged, please enclose a stamped addressed envelope with your completed form.

The Council places great importance on maintaining high levels of attendance at work and all Directorates operate under well-established guidelines to monitor and control absence. If you are selected for interview the Council will, of course, be seeking references and your present or last employer will also be asked to give details of your sickness and attendance record over the last three years.

If due to a disability you require any assistance during the selection process please contact us in confidence, e.g. you may need a sign language interpreter, require an accessible interview room, or need help completing a written application [for example taped applications may be submitted by prior agreement] please contact the Recruitment and Employee Services Section on 0151 443 3509.

‘The Council is working jointly with the trade unions to implement a fair and equitable pay and grading structure in line with the 1997 Single Status Agreement. This will be achieved by reviewing every post within the Council through the job evaluation exercise which is currently being conducted. All posts are subject to the review and therefore advertised grades are provisional and will not be confirmed until the outcome of this exercise.

You should note that you are applying for posts within the authority on this basis.’

2

You should return your application to: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Human Resources and Development, PO Box 84, Ground Floor, Poplar House, Huyton, Knowsley, L36 9WU, or via email to: recruitment@knowsley.gov.uk

I look forward to receiving your application and thank you for your interest in this post.

Yours sincerely

Jaci DickHuman Resources Manager

*This pack is available in large print - please ask.

3

4

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE Sector Support Officer

GRADE Scale 4/5

DIRECTORATE Regeneration Economy and Skills

SECTION/TEAM Business and Enterprise

ACCOUNTABLE TO Creative Industries Manager

DATE REVIEWED March 2009

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

To assist the Business & Sector Development Manager in supporting and growing key sectors in the Borough by supporting the delivery of services to the Creative Industries and Social Enterprise Sectors and to provide support across the business & enterprise team including the business start-up team.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is not a comprehensive list of all the tasks, which may be required of the post holder. It is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the work to be undertaken.

1. To provide support for the development of the priority sectors in Knowsley including the social enterprise and creative industries sector by providing support to the Creative Industries Manager and Social enterprise Officer.

2. To provide support to the Business & Sector Development Manager in developing new sector opportunities in the Borough.

3. To assist in the letting of work space in the Creative Space unit including the preparation of all necessary paperwork for signing by the customer.

4. To support the Creative Industries Manager with promotion and marketing of the services offered by the centre, including website content and maintaining an up to date mailing list of all creative practitioners. Attendance at events and conferences may occasionally be required.

5. Assist the Fresh Start team during busy periods by providing support on initial applications for the Council’s Business Start up Grants Scheme including initial advice and guidance to clients and undertaking initial checks of applications to ensure eligibility of applicants, correct completion of forms and the inclusion of all supporting documentation.

5

6. To prepare reports for working groups and other individuals and bodies as appropriate.

7. To represent the Service at meetings and other events as required by the Business & Enterprise Manager.

8. To monitor relevant budgets and assist in ensuring that budgetary targets are met.

9. To use the Services’ Management Information Systems and contribute to the development of those and new systems as required, supporting and maintaining appropriate and accurate management information.

10.To perform any other duties as required by Head of Service/ Business & Enterprise Manager that is commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

To undertake appropriate and up to date training in the use of any equipment required in order to discharge the duties and responsibilities of the post.

To inform the Head of Service of any breach of health and safety issues or indeed of any situations or events which it is considered could place individuals in danger.

To ensure that as an individual the post holder is aware of the issues of lone working and acts in accordance with any training briefing or advice given.

To ensure that staff for whom the post holder is responsible and / or occupiers of the building(s) are fully aware of their own responsibilities in relation to health and safety matters.

6

PERSON SPECIFICATION

POST TITLE Sector Support officer GRADE Scale 4/5DIRECTORATE Regeneration, Economy and Skills SECTION/TEAM Business Liaison and Investment

CRITERIA ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS * M.O.ASkills, knowledge, experience etc 1 Ability to embrace the values of KMBC I2 Ability to engage with internal & external clients and service users A/I3 Proven ability in developing relationships with key partners A/I4 Ability to assist in the preparation of reports A/I5 Willingness to undertake structured learning and training relevant to the role A/I6 Willingness to support senior colleagues in undertaking their duties A/I7 Competent verbal, written, presentation and communication skills A/I8 Experience of managing budgets or dealing with financial control systems A/I9 Ability to plan and organise work loads and meet deadlines A/I10 Proficient in the use of Microsoft office, particularly word, excel and outlook A/IHealth and safety1112

Ability to use equipment as instructed and trained Ability to inform management of any health and safety issues which could place individuals in danger

II

Personal attributes and circumstances13 Time management and organisational skills I14 A commitment to equal opportunities I15 Ability to attend meetings throughout the Borough I16 Flexible approach to working hours I17 Good communication skills I

7

*METHOD OF ASSESSMENT (*M.O.A)A = APPLICATION FORM C = CERTIFICATE E = EXERCISE I = INTERVIEWP = PRESENTATION T = TEST AC = ASSESSMENT CENTRE

DATE APPROVED BY AUTHORISED MANAGER DESIGNATIONMarch 2009

Barry Fawcett Head of Business Liaison and Investment

Where the post involves working with children, in addition to a candidate’s ability to perform the duties of the post, the interview will also explore issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including:

Motivation to work with children and young people Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people Emotional resilience in working with challenging behaviours Attitudes to use of authority and maintaining discipline

8

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

DIRECTORATE OF REGENERATION, ECONOMY & SKILLS

Post Sector Support Officer

Grade Scale 4/5

General The conditions in the National Joint Council for Local Authority Services (Green Book) will apply.

Hours of Work 36 hours per week.

Salary £16,991 to £21,306

Annual Leave Basic Leave is 22 days, rising to a maximum of 29 days with 10 years continuous Knowsley service.

Car User Status Not Applicable

Medical The successful applicant will be required to complete a medical questionnaire and may also be required to undergo a medical examination.

Training The Council is a recognised ‘Investor in People’ and encourages training and development for all employees.

Pension You are automatically entered into the Local Government Pension Scheme, unless you elect not to join. Employees with contracts of employment of less than three months are not eligible to join the scheme. Contributions rates are dependant on salary as per the contribution rates shown below.

Childcare Vouchers

The Council is in partnership with a Childcare Voucher Provider which offers employees a salary sacrifice scheme. Further details are available from Humans Resources.

Disclosure The post is not subject to receipt of satisfactory disclosure. Declaration of a criminal record on offer of appointment will not necessarily be a bar to employment.

9

Contribution Rates

With effect from 1 April 2008, contribution rates will be on a sliding scale based upon a scheme member’s full time annual pensionable pay. Part time employees’ percentage contribution rates will be based upon the pro rata full time pensionable pay.

From 1 April 2009, the new contribution rates will be as follows:

TABLE 1Band Pensionable Pay

range Contribution Rate

1 £0 - £12,600 5.5%2 £12,600.01 - £14,700 5.8%3 £14,700.01 - £18,900 5.9%4 £18,900.01 - £31,500 6.5%5 £31,500.01 - £42,000 6.8%6 £42,000.01 - £78,700 7.2%7 More than £78,700 7.5%

From 1 April 2008 for those employees who were paying 5%, the changes to contribution rates are as follows;

TABLE 2Year Commencing Contribution rate1 April 2008 5.25%1 April 2009 5.5%1 April 2010 6.5%

10

EXEMPTED POSTS - CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU DISCLOSURE

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council aims to promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome applications from diverse candidates.

Certain posts are subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check due to the nature of the work being undertaken, therefore all candidates who are successful at interview to one of these posts will be asked to complete an application form for a Disclosure check before the appointment is confirmed.

Whilst the Council supports the rehabilitation of ex-offenders it is obliged in the recruitment of all employees to utilise an Exemption Order of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 in order to ensure safe recruitment to posts where working with children, vulnerable adults or other positions of trust are involved. These are referred to as Regulated Posts.

If you apply for a post that is Regulated and subject to a disclosure you will be advised in the recruitment Job pack.

If applicable you are required to disclose convictions on the recruitment Application Form under Section 8. Unless the nature of the work demands it, you will not be asked to disclose convictions that are `spent` under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

If you are successful at interview you will be asked to complete an application form for a Disclosure check before the appointment is confirmed. Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council is registered with the Criminal Records Bureau to request Standard and Enhanced Disclosures on cautions, reprimands and final warnings, as well as convictions. We will process the application and pay the charge to the Criminal Records Bureau.

Applicants should be aware that having a conviction or a record of some type of unacceptable behaviour would not necessarily bar you from employment in Regulated Posts, as any decision to employ will be considered on the individual circumstances of each case.

If you are in doubt about what you should declare you can ask advice from a member of the Human Resources and Development Department on 0151 443 3509. Further information about the Criminal Records Bureau, including how information is assessed in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 can be found on their website:

http://www.disclosure.gov.uk/index.asp?fuseaction=applying

11

SAFEGUARDING

Where the post involves working with children, in addition to a candidate’s ability to perform the duties of the post, the interview will also explore issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including:

Motivation to work with children and young people Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal

boundaries with children and young people Emotional resilience in working with challenging behaviours Attitudes to use of authority and maintaining discipline

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY SUB-GROUPS

Knowsley Council has four established sub groups to support the equality and diversity agenda. The groups are the Black and Minority Workers’ Group, the Knowsley Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Forum, the Disability Workers’ Group and the recently formed Women’s Operational Workers’ Group.

The groups are supported by the Corporate Equality and Diversity Manager, Paul Peng who can be contacted on 443 3073.

Knowsley’s Black and Minority Workers Group (KBMWG)

The group’s vision is to ‘promote respect and value diverse cultures within Knowsley’, and they are committed to challenging all forms of discrimination, racial harassment and bullying to promote race equality in employment and in the delivery of services. Through development days, members of the KBMWG have established and discussed terms of reference and decided on ways to be involved with the council corporately.

Contact: Keith Gabbidon-Thompson 443 4466Knowsley’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Forum

This group aims to promote the council positively as an employer which is supportive of the group and its members.

The group will act as a consultation forum when new policies and strategies are formed and they hope to influence change. Through this group it is planned that a two-way process for exchanging ideas, problem solving and information sharing will be formed with their main aim to raise awareness and reduce discrimination within the workplace.

Contact: Vee Wright 443 5377 or Sean Donnelly 443 5331,

12

Disability Workers’ Group

The Disability Workers’ Group meet to discuss issues surrounding disability within Knowsley. The council recognises that people are disabled by society and not their impairment.

The group advises on all policy and procedure, whether related to employment or service delivery for the council and the Primary Care Trust. They also provide a networking opportunity across the groups to discuss common issues and link with similar employee forums in other local authorities.

Contact: Margie Hill 443 3098 or Peter Mowat Women’s Operational Workers Group

The Women’s Operational Workers Group first meeting was in January 2006 when the Terms of Reference for the group was agreed and an Action Plan put in place. Within the action plan are objectives to deliver Focus Groups to gain women’s views on topics/issues they have identified at the annual Celebration of International Women’s Day. The group’s primary focus will be the consideration of gender equality issues relative to every aspect of employment and service delivery.

As with the other three groups there will be representation at the Corporate Equality and Diversity Strategy Group meetings. The advice and guidance which this forum is anticipated to contribute will be a valuable asset to the Equality and Diversity agenda of Knowsley council, particularly as women make up 63.9% of the total work force.

Contact: Maire Gollock 443 5847 or Chris Kneale 443 3175

13