Business Advisor

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) are the first stop shop for any small business looking to start or grow across the country. The vision for the Local Enterprise Office is to develop and sustain a positive enterprise ecosystem at local level throughout the country that will drive new added-value start-ups, facilitate further growth of micro and small businesses and enhance local economies.

The Business Advisor will, along with assisting in the delivery of a range of programmes to provide entrepreneurship, enterprise and economic development within the county, support the delivery of an integrated range of actions and programmes to increase the number of first-time exporters, assist small businesses to innovate, embrace digital transformation and adopt more environmentally friendly practices.

This is a key role that will require the successful candidate to work directly with core LEO clients to improve the management of business processes, introduce innovation that will impact results, enhance performance and assist start-ups and small businesses across the county to grow and create employment.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

1. CHARACTER

Each candidate shall be of good character.

2. HEALTH

Each candidate shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3. CITIZENSHIP

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

(a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

(b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

(c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or

(e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa; or

(f) A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

4. EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, ETC.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms, possess:

a) Strong organisational and project management skills and experience and proven ability to manage a range of multiple projects and competing priorities at one time to meet demanding and tight deadlines;

b) The ability to influence, collaborate and connect across internal and external stakeholders to the benefit of clients;

c) Financial literacy skills to undertake evaluation and assessment of project proposals for financial assistance and other supports, including carrying out due diligence to qualify funding requests;

d) Excellent communication and business report writing skills with demonstrated evidence of robust I.T. literacy (i.e. MS Office skills including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint);

e) Excellent research capability, analytical skills and writing and presentation skills;

f) Knowledge, understanding and comprehension of the key business growth sectors and client categories in which the LEOs operate and an ability to translate this knowledge and understanding into developing supports and initiatives to achieve effective business impacts and results;

g) Understanding of compliance and governance requirements as they relate to funding through the LEO.

5. CAR & DRIVING LICENCE

It may be necessary for the person employed to travel in the course of their official duties. On the latest date for receipt of application forms, applicants shall hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles and shall drive a car in the course of their duties and for this purpose, shall maintain a car to the satisfaction of the Council.

6. DESIRABLE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate will:

• Have experience of working with the microenterprise sector with an in-depth understanding of the issues and challenges facing the sector;

• Hold a relevant third level business qualification.

PARTICULARS OF OFFICE

1. THE POST

The post of Business Advisor is a permanent pensionable whole-time position on the basis of a thirty-five (35) hour five (5) day week.

2. DUTIES

The duties of the employment are to give to:

(a) Sligo County Council under the control of the Chief Executive or his nominee and

(b) To any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority,

Under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an administrative, executive, supervisory, advisory and ancillary nature as may be required by any local authority or body hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties, and to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to him or her by the Chief Executive from time to time, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body.

The Business Advisor will perform such duties as may be assigned from time to time which will involve the facilitation, implementation and promotion of the policies and objectives of Sligo County Council for the advancement of the Local Enterprise Office. The Business Advisor will report to the Head of the Local Enterprise Office, or any other officer as designated by the Chief Executive.

Key duties and responsibilities of the post will include:

• Develop and lead initiatives designed to support microenterprises increase performance and competitiveness.

• Engage with portfolio companies who are growing, to support them to reach their potential and increase market share by maximising uptake of the full range of LEO supports.

• Develop and identify initiatives that will help LEO clients with their exporting activities and work in collaboration to ensure clients are directed and can have access to the most appropriate support as it pertains to their stage of export.

• Encourage and support LEO clients to invest in R&D and begin a process of incorporating RD&I into their commercial activities.

• Develop and manage the procurement and delivery of new and existing training and management development programmes in response to the needs of small businesses including preparation of programme specifications, procurement documents, recruitment and engagement, recording and managing of all outputs / deliverables and allocated budgets.

• Provide one to one business advice and guidance to anyone thinking of starting a business in County Sligo.

• Contribute to the delivery of national initiatives within the Local Enterprise Network as required.

• Lead and manage the delivery of enterprise education initiatives in County Sligo.

• Such other duties as may be assigned in order to promote the objectives of the Local Enterprise Office.

3. SALARY

The salary shall be fully inclusive and will be as determined from time to time. Holders of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

Current Salary Scale

€57,322 - €58,689 - €60,356 - €63,491 - €65,363 – LSI 1 €67,690 - LSI 2 €70,030

Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the pay scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. New entrants to the local authority sector will be appointed to the minimum of the scale.