Business Improvement Officer

Business Improvement Officer

Pay Band J / SCP 33-34

£27,924 - £29,558

Job reference: CVP458

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.Pension contribution rates

7. Information on exempted posts

8.Equality and diversity sub groups

Dear Applicant

Post of Business Improvement Officer

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

Please find enclosed further details about the post and an application form for you to complete and return by Monday, 6 April 2015. You can find out more about Knowsley Councilfrom our website at

Interviews are likely to take place within four weeks of the closing date. If you have not heard by then you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful. If you would like receipt of 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 successful at interview, the council willbe 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 you require any assistance during the selection process due to a disability, please contact us as soon as possible on telephone number 0151 443 3434. For example you may need a sign language interpreter, require an accessible interview room, or need help completing a written application (taped applications may be submitted by prior agreement).

Please note that the Council will disqualify any applicant who directly or indirectly seeks or canvasses the support of any Councillor for any appointment with the Council.

You should email your application to:

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

Yours sincerely

Jaci Dick

Human Resources Manager

Our shared vision - to make Knowsley: The Borough of Choice

“We want Knowsley to have a sustainable and diverse population with successful townships that provide a sense of place and community.”

Our Council Values

CORE VALUES:
Act with integrity / Being accountable / Openness and transparency / Respect for people
Demonstrates honesty, reliability and trustworthiness
Does the ‘right’ thing
Demonstrates consistency
Acts according to a consistent set of morals, values and principles at all times / Acknowledges and assumes responsibility for actions and decisions
Takes ownership and responsibility for resulting consequences and does not seek to apportion blame on others / Makes decisions in an open and transparent manner
Shares information whenever possible
Explains when information can’t be shared
Is open to new ideas and new ways of working / Champions equality and diversity with all people at all levels
Treats people in the way they would like to be treated
Values people and their contributions
Shows consideration for others through thought and action
Job description
Job title / Business Improvement Officer
Grade / Grade J
Directorate / Change and Transformation
Section/team / Business Improvement Team
Accountable to / Principal Business Improvement Officers
Responsible for / N/A
Date reviewed / January 2013

Purpose of the job

To provide support to the priorities of the Council including Change & Transformation Programme and the Commissioning Review Programme which will include:

Supporting directors, as part of their commissioning reviews to develop service specifications and re-design internal services for comparison with alternative service providers.

Supporting directors in implementing the redesign of internal services emerging from a Commissioning Review where this is the preferred option.

Supporting internal providers to ensure they are commissioning ready, including identifying and implementing all forms of business improvement which ensure services are as efficient and effective as they can be.

Undertake end to end task and finish business improvement work, adopting robust project management methodology, in priority service areas.

Supporting the organisation to achieve any agreed quality accreditation schemes.

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.

Work with the rest of the Business Improvement team, Directors, Change and Transformation, Integrated Commissioning Function, PII and Finance to develop a prioritised Business Improvement work programme which identifies those services where there is most potential for improvement and/ or efficiency in terms of business improvement.

To undertake specific work within the Business Improvement work programme. This will involve providing guidance and expert resource to ensure that options for internal service delivery are efficient and effective. This will include working with other corporate services to identify the art of the possible e.g. internal audit, IT etc and managing or supporting the successful implementation of those improvements. This work will include:

Adopting robust project management methodology to ensure the smooth and successful implementation of each project and ultimately the realisation of expected benefits
Working with stakeholders to review, re-engineer, and pursue the development and implementation of all systems, procedures and policies to ensure that the council’s services are carried out in the most effective and efficient manner, at a reduced cost, leading to the achievement of improved performance (where appropriate) and to ensure that they are can have most impact.
Developing service and system specifications in accordance with requirements and liaising where relevant with potential suppliers
Managing the risks and issues associated with each project
Where appropriate assisting with the procurement of third party improvements e.g. system changes
Challenging, comparing, documenting and maintaining a model of current processes and procedures, identifying any issues and good practices for each service review undertaken.
Working with PII and Financial Services to undertake benchmarking and other research where relevant
Making recommendations for improvements to existing processes / procedures and assist in producing and monitoring reports and action plans for each service review undertaken.
Undertaking user testing as appropriate
Working with Directors, services, project management and others to enable the successful implementation of improvements, including relevant training.

Contribute to the regular monitoring, including accuracy and quality checks, of implemented improvements to ensure the expected benefits are realised and sustained.

Undertake evaluations of each review involved with as appropriate and ensure lessons learnt are built into the Business Improvement Team’s future reviews.

Play a significant role in the development, rollout and maintenance of an improvement and redesign toolkit and knowledge bank, building up a tried and tested set of techniques for every improvement/ redesign scenario. Tools will include business process re-engineering/ lean, customer journey mapping, and corporate process integration.

Manage, as part of the Business Improvement Team, the Council’s quality accreditation processes and provide appropriate support to relevant services to ensure they can successfully be awarded and retain relevant accreditation where this is desired.

Promote and implement good practice and business excellence throughout the Council.

Ensure the control, maintenance and evaluation of records necessary to support an effective business improvement service.

Participate in forums, meetings, presentations etc, when required, ensuring accurate information and / or minutes are taken, monitor and follow-up actions to support the priorities in the Change and Transformation Programme.

Contribute to the production, implementation and monitoring of team plans and setting clear objectives, goals and targets to ensure that Business and Corporate Plans are met.

Actively participate in the Performance Review and Development process, which contributes to corporate, team and individual objectives.

Participate in all aspects of training and personal development to improve individual skills and knowledge.

Any other duties appropriate with the grade that assists the council in meeting its objectives and contributes to personal development.

Corporate Responsibilities

Generic

To promote and support the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy and Diversity Policy in all aspects of employment and service delivery
To support effective working partnerships with all stakeholders and customers
To effectively represent the corporate values of the Council
To ensure all procedures and regulations are upheld personally, within the Council as a representative agent
To comply with all the Council’s Financial and Contract procedure rules as appropriate
To fulfil any other duties as reasonably directed

Health and safety

To use equipment as instructed and trained

Regularly risk assess own work area and equipment and report on any problems or issues

To inform management of any health and safety issues which could place individuals in danger.

Special Conditions

Normal hours of work will be 36 per week (or pro rata), but the post holder may be required to attend meetings outside normal office hours in line with the requirements of the service and in line with Council Policy.

Qualifications and Training

Relevant professional qualification or working towards it, and evidence of continuous personal development.

Person specification
Post title / Business Improvement Officer / Grade / J
Directorate / Change and Transformation / Section/team / Business Improvement
Criteria /

Essential requirements

/ * M.O.A
Skills, knowledge, experience etc (* See grid overleaf)
1 / Ability to embrace the values of KMBC. / A/I
2 / Experience in business improvement techniques and statistical analysis with an ability to confidently challenge current working practices and put forward reasons suggestions for improvements / A/I
3 / Skills in researching and investigating information in order to maintain an up to date overview of current issues / A/I
4 / Experience of prioritising competing demands and working under pressure and with a systematic and flexible approach to ensure deadlines and business needs are met / A/I
5 / Effective report writing skills / A/I
6 / Experience in Microsoft Office packages to produce detailed and complex analysis and reports / A/I
7 / Experience of working with minimal or no supervision, and to tight deadlines / A/I
8 / Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills / A/I
9 / Experience in making positive contributions towards effective communication within the team and with other internal / external stakeholders / A/I
10 / The ability to think ahead and anticipate the changing requirements within the team and plan to meet these requirements / A/I
11 / Ability to work accurately and pay attention to detail / A/I
12 / Communicate with other support areas of the Council including Performance, Impact and Intelligence (PII), Projects and Programmes and Business Support to ensure effective and efficient delivery of the business / A/I

Qualifications

13 / Minimum of 5 GCSE’s at grade C or above (must include English and Mathematics) or any equivalent qualification and hold or be working towards a relevant qualification. / C
Health and safety
14 / Ability to use equipment as instructed and trained / A
15 / Commitment to inform management of any health and safety issues / A
Personal attributes and circumstances
16 / Reliable and hardworking / A/I
17 / Ability to follow procedures and to respond to instructions from Senior and Principal Business Improvement Officers / A/I
18 / Possess a positive attitude to change and continuous improvement / A/I
19 / Demonstrate a commitment to guide and support and feedback to other team members and value the contributions of others / A/I
20 / A commitment to work flexibly and occasionally beyond normal 9-5 working hours if necessary to achieve deadlines and targets / A/I
21 / Ability to travel around borough to attend meetings/facilitate workshops/focus groups and/or undertake work at other offices / A/I

*Method of assessment (*M.O.A)

A = Application formC = CertificateE = ExerciseI = Interview

P = PresentationT = TestAC = Assessment centre

Date / Approved by authorised manager / Designation
15.04.13 / Nikki Rushton / Principal Business Improvement Officer
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

We have a positive attitude to the employment of disabled people and guarantee an interview to those who meet all the necessary criteria of the person specification.

Conditions of service

Post / Business Improvement Officer
Employment status / Permanent
Grade / Pay Band J / SCP 32-34
General / The conditions in the National Joint Council for Local Authority Services (Green Book) will apply.
Hours of work / 36 hours per week
Salary / £27,924 to £29,558
Basic annual leave / 180 hours per annum
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 will automatically be entered into the Local Government Pension Scheme and will pay the relevant contributions with immediate effect. If, however, you wish to opt out of the scheme, you may do so by downloading an ‘opt out’ form from or by contacting Merseyside Pension Fund on telephone number 0151 242 1397. If you opt out of the scheme, you will be automatically enrolled back into the scheme after 12 months if you meet the automatic enrolment criteria.
Childcare vouchers / The Council is in partnership with a childcare voucher provider which offers employees a salary sacrifice scheme. Further details are available from Human Resources Division.
Car status / Casual

Disclosure

/ The post is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service check. You must ensure that you complete Section 8 of the application form. If you fail to do so your application will not be considered. Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from being appointed to the post.

Pension contribution rates

The table below sets out the contribution bands which will be effective from 1 April 2014. These are based on the pay bands for 2014/15, with the result rounded down to the nearest £100.

Pay Bands from 1 April 2014
Earnings Band Range / Contribution rate
1 / £0 / to / £13,500 / 5.5%
2 / £13,501 / to / £21,000 / 5.8%
3 / £21,001 / to / £34,000 / 6.5%
4 / £34,001 / to / £43,000 / 6.8%
5 / £43,001 / to / £60,000 / 8.5%
6 / £60,001 / to / £85,000 / 9.9%
7 / £85,001 / to / £100,000 / 10.5%
8 / £100,001 / to / £150,000 / 11.4%
9 / More than £150,000 / 12.5%

The pay ranges in the Contribution rate column of the tableis increased on the 1st of April each year by applying the rate of pension increase applied to public sector pensions on the 1st of April that year and rounded down to the nearest £100.

If an active member has a permanent material change to his or her terms and conditions of employment which affects his or her pensionable pay, the employer may determine a different contribution rate to reflect that new annual pensionable pay. This can be either an increase or a decrease.

Exempted posts – Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) 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 Disclosure & Barring Service check due to the nature of the work being undertaken. All candidates who are successful at interview for one of these posts will be asked to complete an application form for a ‘disclosure’ check by the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed.

Whilst the council supports the rehabilitation of ex-offenders, it is obliged in the recruitment of all employees to use 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. If you apply for a post that is subject to a disclosure, you will be advised in the recruitment job pack.

Having a conviction or a record of some type of unacceptable behaviour would not necessarily bar you from being appointed to the post 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 Division 0151 443 3434.

Further information about the Disclosure & Barring Service, including how information is assessed in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 can be found on their website:

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 six established sub groups to support the equality and diversity agenda, details below.

The groups are supported by the Community Cohesion Manager, Paul Peng who can be contacted on 443 3073.

Knowsley 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.