Senior Financial Support Officer - INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

Vacancy Information

Hourly rate of pay: £20.13 - £22.51

Days and Hours of Work:
Monday - Friday, 09:00-17:00
Starting and finishing times are flexible, and flexi time is applicable.
To start 1st October 2026.

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Senior Financial Support Officer to help lead our Financial Support Team and support East Lothian residents to access the financial assistance they are entitled to.

This is a rewarding opportunity to combine leadership, technical expertise and customer focus in a role that directly contributes to reducing poverty and inequality across our communities.

About the Role

You will support the Team Leader in managing a high-performing team responsible for the accurate and timely administration of:
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Reduction
• Discretionary Housing Payments
• Scottish Welfare Fund

You will provide guidance, coaching and support to colleagues, ensure compliance with legislation and regulations, and help deliver an efficient, customer-focused service that protects both residents and the Council's financial interests.

About You

You will have:
• HNC, SVQ Level 3 or equivalent relevant qualification or experience.
• Experience in a customer-focused environment.
• Experience supporting, coaching or developing staff.
• Knowledge of social security and welfare-related legislation.
• Excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A commitment to delivering excellent customer service and continuous improvement.

Ideally, you will also have experience in a Revenues, Benefits, Welfare Advice, Money Advice or Local Government environment and hold a relevant professional qualification such as IRRV or CMI.

Why Join Us?

At East Lothian Council, you'll be part of a team that is:
• Customer Focused
• Committed to Improvement
• Supportive and Collaborative
• Focused on Making a Difference

If you're passionate about helping people, leading others and delivering excellent public services, we'd like to hear from you.

Home / Hybrid Working Consideration
Applications for home or hybrid working will be considered for this post in accordance with East Lothian Council’s Home Working and Worksmart Policies which can be found here. Home or Hybrid working options can be discussed with candidates invited for interview.

Please Note:
All home/hybrid workers must live in the UK. Where an application for home-working is supported, it will be subject to a satisfactory trial period. Employees will be expected to attend Council offices for the duration of induction, and be on site in East Lothian workplaces, as required. Employees with a hybrid working arrangement in place will be office based and able to work from home, with permission, on an ad hoc basis.

INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY
This post is open only to current employees of East Lothian Council (this includes agency/casual/locum staff who are currently undertaking work for us).

Job Details

Responsible for the delivery of an effective, efficient and high-quality Financial Support service to East Lothian residents to maximise entitlement to financial support and reduce poverty and inequalities.

Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under 'Job Attachments') for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these in order to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every 'essential' criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.

The ‘East Lothian Way’– values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.

Job Requirements

Relevant Qualifications
HNC/SVQ Level 3 or equivalent level of knowledge e.g. IRRV, Accountancy and/or relevant working experience.

Driving Licence
A full current driving licence is desirable for this post.

Level 1 Disclosure Clearance
This role requires Level 1 Disclosure Clearance to allow access to the Public Sector Network. ELC will submit a Police Act Disclosure application on behalf of the preferred candidate and receipt of the subsequent certificate will be required prior to commencement.

Please note:
If you have spent more than 3 months working or living out with the UK in the last 5 years then you will also be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Additional Information

For additional East Lothian Council employment information please click on the following link:
www.eastlothian.gov.uk/nonteachinginfo

If you have any difficulties creating an account on MyJobScotland or applying for this post please contact the MyJobScotland support team via this link https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/contact-us.

If you require further information about this vacancy, please call 01620 827868, or email us on recruitment@eastlothian.gov.uk

Please note: We do not accept CV's (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form. If, for example, due to a disability, you are unable to complete the on-line application form you can contact us for a paper application via the telephone number or email address above.