Job info	Job info details
Job title	System Development Officer (Payroll)
Strategic team/Directorate	Corporate Services
Service	Human Resources
Business unit	Human Resources and Payroll
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Principle Payroll & Systems Officer
Accountable to (line manager)	HR Business Services Manager (HR & Payroll)
Salary grade	H
JE ref	JOT83

1. Key purpose of job

• Working with both current and new solutions, maintaining, and developing the features available whilst ensuring continuity and integrity of the service.
• Taking a lead as required on certain aspects of the solutions and associated project work, making recommendations for improvement or changes as necessary.
• To act as a point of contact, when required, to troubleshoot issues, and taking a lead in resolving these as necessary.
• To apply the corporate policies and procedures of the Council properly and effectively, achieving an appropriate balance within corporate guidelines whilst assisting line managers to achieve overall goals and objectives.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

• Taking a lead to enhance the solution to ensure the end user can perform their duties in the most efficient way using the tools we make available to them.
• Review issues that arise and take relevant steps to resolve these, ensuring that the solution is fit for purpose.
• To pro-actively work on system related projects and HR activities, taking responsibility for certain work streams and projects as necessary, including researching information and presenting summaries of findings to HR Management.
• To deliver HR related management information, including designing and producing routine reports, Freedom of Information requests, system development and maintenance.
• Supporting external customers with system requirements, ensuring personalised needs are included where possible.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

• To work with team members regarding the planning of system upgrades. Taking responsibility as directed for aspects of the upgrades.
• To work with team members in organising system upgrades with vendors and internal users/departments and testing statutory output and new functionality once upgrades are complete.
• To be responsible to produce demonstration documents and the creation of ‘real life’ scenarios on the test account for sales & marketing as well as training and development needs.
• To provide training and guidance to HR team members on system functionality and enhancements ensuring knowledge transfer as necessary. Acting as internal HR helpdesk support for team members with system related queries and troubleshooting as necessary.
• To take a lead and be pro-active role in HR systems discussion forums. Using systems knowledge to guide and steer the future development plans of the system and making recommendations.
• Be an active part of HR project teams to implement new HR related systems or new functionality of existing systems.
• To be responsible for producing and maintaining a suite of procedure manuals and guidance notes on the use of HR systems for both core users and end users.
• Represent the Council at system users’ special interest group meetings/software conference in order to obtain insights from other users and make recommendations for improved productivity and efficiency gains.
• To ensure the provision of accurate and timely information when requested in relation to statutory returns, audit requirements and any other requests from internal or external bodies.
• To work with team members on the maintenance and support of HR systems; making routine system changes in line with amendments to procedures and processes and demonstrating these changes to users including current and prospective customers.
• To be responsible for the resolution of routine faults including logging these with the software provider.
• As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services. 

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

• None. 

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

• The post holder is responsible for arranging contractors to conduct required maintenance on our HR systems.
• The post holder supervises the work being conducted, to give guidance to the contractor and is responsible for checking and validating the work carried out.

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

• Normal working conditions and environment.

7. Physical demands of the post

• Normal physical effort.

8. Specific resources used by the post

• None. 

9. Key contacts and relationships

External

• Special Interest Groups.
• Software suppliers.
• External Customers.
• Business Managers within Schools and Academies and other organisations.
• Professional Bodies such as HMRC and other statutory bodies.
• Other local authorities.

Internal

• Managers at all levels.
• Audit.
• Finance.
• Employees.

10. Other duties

• To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Other Information

• All staff must commit to Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Practice.
• The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Children's Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council.
• The Council operates a Smoke-Free policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement. 
• The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
• You will be asked to complete a Criminal Records Self Declaration Form. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post. You will only be asked to disclose ‘unspent’ convictions. 
• The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
• The post is eligible for both hybrid and permanent home working.
• The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
• If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.
• If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
• Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
• If this post is a customer facing role and meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2017 (part 7) the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	System Development Officer (Payroll)
Strategic team/Directorate	Corporate Services
Service	Human Resources
Business unit	Human Resources and Payroll

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

• Proven interpersonal, organisational and planning skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to work under own initiative.
• High levels of IT literacy, data analysis and interpretation.
• High levels of accuracy with the ability to deal with high volumes of detail and data driven workload.
• Ability to problem solve to reach resolution of issues.
• Ability to react to changing priorities and deadlines.
• Able to present information to groups coherently and in a manner that maintains interest and secures understanding.
• Confident and able to communicate appropriately with different people in different settings, adapting style to suit the audience and situation.
• Ability to work on projects within timescales and resource limits.
• Ability to communicate to a high standard with both internal and external customers, with a customer service focus.
• Ability to influence to reach desired outcomes.
• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritise work effectively.
• Ability to train and support colleagues and customers in using systems to ensure knowledge transfer.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills predominantly in Excel or equivalent which can be demonstrated through interview process.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

N/A

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• Knowledge and up to date experience of working with ICT, HR and Payroll systems.
• Knowledge of producing specifications for report writing.
• Knowledge of applying system updates and testing systems.
• Knowledge of Data Protection Act and the ability to demonstrate up to date knowledge.

Desirable knowledge

• Local Government terms and conditions of employment.
• NHS Terms and Conditions of employment.
• Teachers Terms and Conditions of employment
• Practical knowledge of legislation relating to payroll provision.
• Knowledge of a range of HR and payroll processes and procedures.

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Experience of working in an analysis and reporting role.
• Experience of working in an ICT helpdesk type role, providing technical support and guidance resolving queries as necessary.
• Experience of system administration and development of a system which contains sensitive and confidential information.
• Experience of working on projects and developing system processes.
• Experience of working with highly sensitive personal information and managing in accordance with Data Protection Act.
• Experience of producing written reports to set deadlines.
• Experience of managing information within a complex environment.
• Experience of reviewing and improving systems and processes.
• Experience of using report writing packages.
• Experience of delivering ICT training to work colleagues and customers.
• Experience of working in a Payroll, or ICT department.
• Experience of using information technology systems, ideally HR and Payroll systems.

Desirable experience and achievements

• Zellis ResourceLink system (or similar) experience.
• Employee and Manager Self Service implementation and development.
• Demonstrates an understanding of Payroll processes and procedures.

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• Educated to GCSE qualifications standard, to include Maths and English at Grade C or above, or equivalent experience.
• Level 5 CIPD / CIPP Qualification or equivalent experience.

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

• A ‘Level or equivalent in English and Maths.
• Advanced Practitioner Certificate in Payroll or working towards or equivalent experience.

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK in order to carry out duties.
• Ability to accommodate occasional/permanent home-working.