Business Advisor

This competition presents an opportunity to gain employment with Tipperary County Council in the permanent role of Business Advisor, Local Enterprise Office.

Tipperary County Council is committed to a policy of open and fair recruitment, in line with good practice, recruitment & selection standards, employment legislation and relevant circulars from the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.

This Candidate Information Booklet is intended to provide information on the post of Business Advisor, Local Enterprise Office and the selection process, and candidates are advised to familiarise themselves with the detailed information in advance of submitting their application.

Candidates should satisfy themselves that they are eligible under the Qualifications to apply for the post of Business Advisor, Local Enterprise Office.

Where a candidate provides false or misleading information or has deliberately omitted relevant information on their application form, this may result in their disqualification from the competition.

Background

The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the local first-stop shop for new entrepreneurs and existing micro-enterprise and small business owners. The LEOs are the front door through which all information on State supports for small and micro-businesses can be accessed and through which financial and other supports can be provided to the business community. 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 Local Enterprise Office Tipperary forms part of the Community & Economic Development Directorate of Tipperary Council. Local Enterprise Office Tipperary has 2 offices located in Nenagh and Clonmel and, due to the nature of the work, all roles involve the performance of duties at a variety of locations throughout the County from time to time. The main functions of the LEO office are the provision of:

• Business Information and Advisory Services;

• Enterprise Support Services;

• Entrepreneurship Support Service;

• Local Enterprise Development Services / Economic Development.

Roles and Duties of the Post

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 country to grow and create employment.

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 Tipperary County Council for the advancement of the Local Enterprise Office. The Business Advisor will report to the Head of Enterprise, or any other officer as designated by the Chief Executive.

Such duties include inter alia:

• Develop and lead initiatives designed to support microenterprises increase performance and competitiveness, including programmes such as Digital Transformation and Green, which will help to build resilience.

• 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.

• Such other duties as the Head of Enterprise may assign to the role so as to promote the objectives of the LEO.

Reporting

• Ensure compliance with all required local authority financial, management and governance reporting requirements.

• Collect, maintain and update relevant data.

In addition, appointees will be required to:

• Assist in the provision of prudent financial management, budgeting, and resource allocation;

• Comply with Health and Safety legislation at all times;

• Ensure an efficient and effective response to all stakeholders;

• Attend training as required;

• Participate in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to their grade;

• Undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required, or assigned, from time to time;

• Deputise for other employees of a higher grade as required.

These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and are carried out under general guidance.

The initial assignment will be to the LEO, Ballingarrane House, Clonmel. However, persons employed will be required to work in any location within the Tipperary County Council administrative area.

Qualifications

Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

Health

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

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.

g) Non-EEA citizens with a valid work permit.

Education and Experience

At the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

In addition, it is desirable that each candidate has:

• 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 is essential.

• Have the ability to influence, collaborate and connect across internal and external stakeholders to the benefit of clients is essential.

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

• Excellent communications and business report writing skills with demonstrated evidence of robust IT literacy (i.e. MS Office skills including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) is essential.

• Excellent research capability, analytical skills, writing and presentation skills.

• 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.

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

• Candidates must hold a clean, current Class B Driving Licence and will be required to have access to his/her own car.

Salary

Current Salary Scale: €58,474 - €71,437 (2nd LSI).

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time.

The employee shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to or received by him/her by virtue of his/her employment or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform.