Business Support Officer

Job Description

The Organization

Our client is a prominent and long-standing local government entity responsible for the distribution of a broad spectrum of vital public services throughout the borough.

The Role

The organization is looking for a Business Support Officer to deliver a thorough suite of professional, administrative, and technical support functions within its Planning department. Operating as a member of a versatile Business Support collective, the successful candidate will play a part in the provision of high-quality, innovative, and user-centric Planning services, aiding both daily operations and broader business resilience goals.

This position is part-time, requiring 22.5 hours per week (scheduled Wednesday through Friday).

Core Responsibilities:

• Providing a professional and secure business support function across all divisions of Planning.

• Serving as the primary contact for enquiries from stakeholders, businesses, and the general public via email, telephone, or in-person interactions.

• Delivering technical and procedural guidance or redirecting enquiries to the relevant agencies or officers.

• Managing standard correspondence and maintaining accuracy within planning registers, portals, and digital systems.

• Utilizing both computerized and manual information frameworks to extract, input, and analyze data.

• Assisting with the administration of property certificate requests, planning appeals, and investigative files.

• Coordinating and participating in multi-agency and internal briefings, including the recording of minutes and tracking follow-up tasks.

• Helping with the creation of marketing content, registers, returns, and formal reports.

• Overseeing efficient filing protocols for both physical and digital documentation.

• Administering petty cash, processing financial payments, maintaining ledgers, and generating purchase orders.

• Supporting procurement tasks, stock audits, and inventory management.

• Providing general office and reception coverage as needed to maintain business continuity.

• Aiding in the continuous development of business support procedures, policies, and systems.

• Building and sustaining a comprehensive understanding of current Planning practices and services.

The Person

Mandatory Requirements:

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs (at Grades A-C), including Mathematics and English, or an equivalent qualification.

• OR the capacity to verify at least 3 years of pertinent experience in a professional or high-volume office setting.

• A minimum of 1 year of relevant administrative or Business Support experience, specifically including:

  • Hands-on use of digital information management frameworks.

  • Provision of frontline customer assistance to external groups or the public.

  • Managing competing deadlines and a high volume of tasks.

• Expertise in Microsoft Office software, particularly Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.

• Exceptional workload management and organizational capabilities.

• The capacity to operate with high precision, discretion, and limited supervision.

• A service-oriented mindset backed by excellent interpersonal skills.

Remuneration & Perks

• Part-time schedule: 22.5 hours weekly (Wednesday to Friday).

• Opportunity to build professional experience within a statutory Planning department.

• Access to performance reviews, professional development, and training pathways.

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Job Data Table

Category	Details
Company Name	Honeycomb Jobs Limited (Public Sector Client)
Location	Belfast / Ballymena Area, United Kingdom
Locality	Northern Ireland
Country	United Kingdom
City	Belfast
Region	County Antrim
Job Type	Part-time (22.5 Hours/Week)
Salaries	Up to £13.20 per hour
Experience Level	1-3 Years Administrative Experience
Travel	Not Specified
Language	English
Benefits	Planning Service Experience, Training & Development

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Skills & Competency Table

Key Skills	Competency Level
Microsoft Office Suite	Expert
Minute Taking & Meeting Support	Advanced
Data Management Systems	High
Front-line Customer Service	Advanced
Financial Administration (PO/Petty Cash)	Proficient
Workload Prioritization	High

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Salaries Pay Calculator Table

Annual Salary	Bonus	Total Compensation	Notes
£15,444 (Pro-rata)	N/A	£15,444	Based on 22.5 hours/week
£13.20 / hour	N/A	£13.20 / hour	Hourly rate for part-time schedule

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Job Summary

This part-time Business Support Officer role at Honeycomb Jobs supports a major local government Planning department. Working 22.5 hours (Wednesday–Friday), you will manage stakeholder enquiries, maintain planning registers, and assist with financial administration. The role requires at least one year of administrative experience and proficiency in Microsoft Office.

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5 FAQs

What are the specific working days for this part-time role?

The position is fixed for 22.5 hours per week, specifically working from Wednesday to Friday.

Do I need a degree to apply?

No, a degree is not required. You need either 5 GCSEs (A-C) including English and Math or 3 years of relevant experience.

What department will I be supporting?

You will be integrated into the Planning function, supporting both technical planning processes and general business continuity.

Does this role involve financial tasks?

Yes, responsibilities include processing payments, maintaining ledgers, raising purchase orders, and managing petty cash.

Will I have to attend meetings?

Yes, the role involves organizing and attending both internal and multi-agency meetings, including taking minutes and following up on actions.

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Expert Analysis

This role is an excellent entry point into the Public Sector for administrative professionals. The specific focus on the Planning department offers “technical” administrative experience, which is more specialized than general clerical work. Given the current high volume of applications at Honeycomb, highlighting your “frontline customer service” experience will be critical for shortlisting.

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Location & Logistics Guide

While the role is listed under the Belfast region via Honeycomb, many local government planning roles in this borough operate near Ballymena or Newtownabbey. The Wednesday-Friday schedule is ideal for balancing other commitments or semi-retirement while working in a stable, structured government environment.

Wikipedia URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belfast

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Career Path

A Business Support Officer in a local government setting typically progresses toward Senior Administrative Officer or Office Manager roles. Specifically within the Planning track, one could move into specialized Planning Technician roles or Enforcement Support, leveraging the statutory knowledge gained during this assignment.