Business Support Officer (Funding) Belfast Wage: £20.66 per hour Working hours Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, Friday 9am to 4:30pm. Grade 7 | City and Neighbourhood Services Are you an experienced finance, funding or business support professional looking for an opportunity to make a real impact within local government? We are seeking a highly organised and analytical Business Support Officer (Funding) to join our City and Neighbourhood Services team. This is an exciting opportunity to support the successful management of externally funded projects, ensuring robust financial governance, compliance and performance monitoring across a diverse portfolio of programmes and initiatives. About the Role Reporting to the Business Coordinator, you will play a key role in supporting the administration, monitoring and verification of externally funded activities and projects across the department. You will help ensure compliance with funding agreements, financial regulations and audit requirements while supporting managers and operational teams with financial monitoring, business planning, procurement processes and performance management. This is a varied and rewarding role that combines finance, project support, grant management, compliance, systems development and staff supervision. Key Responsibilities Support the monitoring, evaluation and verification of externally funded projects and activities. Assist in the administration and financial management of grants, funding agreements and service level agreements. Coordinate the collection and reporting of monitoring and evaluation information. Ensure compliance with funding conditions, financial procedures and audit requirements. Support budget preparation, financial forecasting and monthly budget monitoring. Assist with accounts receivable and payable processes relating to funded projects. Verify grant claims and expenditure, including reviewing supporting documentation and conducting site visits where required. Support the development of funding applications and business cases. Maintain accurate financial and grant management records and databases. Assist in procurement activities, including quotations, tenders and contract administration. Support the development and review of business systems, procedures and operational processes. Contribute to departmental risk management, performance management and continuous improvement initiatives. Provide guidance and support to managers and staff on financial, administrative and funding matters. Supervise and coordinate the work of assigned business support staff. About You You will be a detail-oriented professional with strong financial administration and grant management experience, capable of working across multiple projects while maintaining high levels of accuracy and compliance. You will possess excellent analytical skills, strong organisational abilities and the confidence to work with a range of internal and external stakeholders. Essential Criteria Applicants must possess either: A third-level qualification in Finance, Business Studies, Accountancy or a related discipline, plus at least one year's relevant experience in the required areas; OR At least two years relevant experience in the required areas. Relevant experience must include: Assisting with revenue estimates, budget monitoring and accounts receivable/payable functions. Administration, monitoring and evaluation of grant-funded programmes, including compliance and verification processes. Managing business support staff, including allocating and prioritising workloads. What We're Looking For Successful candidates will demonstrate: Strong financial management and accounting knowledge. Excellent communication and report-writing skills. Experience working with grants, funding agreements and audit requirements. Leadership and team management capabilities. Analytical and problem-solving skills. Experience developing and improving systems and processes. Excellent organisational and planning skills. Strong customer service and stakeholder management abilities. A good understanding of governance, compliance and performance management principles. Proficiency in information technology and business systems. Why Join Us? This role offers an opportunity to contribute directly to projects and services that benefit local communities while developing your career within a progressive and dynamic local government environment. You will work alongside experienced professionals, support high-profile funding programmes and play an important role in ensuring public funds are managed effectively and responsibly. If you have a passion for financial governance, funding management and continuous improvement, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and help us deliver value, accountability and positive outcomes for our communities.