Local Welfare Business Support Officer

The Local Welfare Business Support Officer will work as part of the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) project team, to deliver financial assistance to people in Portsmouth in financial hardship by:

• Liaising and communicating with residents and both internal and external contacts when managing demands and responding to queries.
• Helping to maintain accurate records of CRF assessments, decisions and awards.
• Processing awards for successful applicants in a timely manner and creating and distributing vouchers using the online portal.
• Reviewing applications for support, to understand a customer's circumstances.
• Seeking further supporting evidence when required, including sensitive financial information, and information from other professionals working with the customer.
• Undertaking appropriate signposting and referrals for further support and advice.
• Providing money guidance support using tools such as benefits calculators.
• Advising the Project Lead of any time‑critical or sensitive issues that need to be addressed by a more senior colleague.
• Escalating complex cases to the Project Lead.
• Helping to capture and analyse relevant data and information to understand the performance of the scheme in meeting the needs of customers.
• Raising grant payments for individuals and partner organisations, using the Fusion payment system.
• Supporting the team to develop internal systems and processes used for the administration of CRF.
• Managing email inboxes and responding in a timely manner.
• Assisting the Project Lead and the Strategic Coordinator with administration tasks such as preparing reports and Power Points with information provided.

This role will be mainly based at the Civic Offices or working from home but may occasionally require the postholder to work from other locations across the city.

• Have an understanding of the impact of poverty on people’s lives, what poverty looks like for people who experience it, and how it affects people's life chances.
• Have a real passion for making a difference to people in financial hardship in the city.
• Have experience of developing relationships with staff of all levels and external stakeholders.
• Are organised and methodical when managing demands.
• Have an understanding of Data Protection regulations and keeping data secure.
• Can work well in a small team and manage your time and prioritise effectively in a busy environment.
• Have the ability to work autonomously and as part of a team to resolve problems and find appropriate and effective solutions.
• Are able to liaise and communicate with both internal and external contacts when managing demands and responding to queries.
• Have effective communication and customer service skills.
• Have enthusiasm for innovating and trying new things, and the ability to problem solve.
• Are proficient in all Microsoft applications including Outlook and Excel.
• Have experience of working to tight deadlines and using own initiative to problem solve.
• Have the ability to think ahead and plan your workload.