Business Advisor

The Position:

Westmeath County Council employs over 600 staff across eight service divisions: Housing & Building; Road, Transport & Safety; Rural Water; Development Management; Environmental Protection; Recreation & Amenity; Climate Action, Agriculture & Education; and Miscellaneous Services. It consists of 20 democratically elected members. The Council is mandated to deliver a diverse range of functions and services which can be broadly described under the headings of economic development, community development, provision of physical and social infrastructure, recreation and amenity services, and the enforcement of the planning and environmental regulatory framework. The Council now invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent and fixed term contract posts for the position of Business Advisor may be drawn.

Role:

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 role supports the delivery of an integrated programme designed to increase the number of first-time exporters and help small businesses innovate, adopt digital solutions, and transition to more environmentally sustainable 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 country to grow and create employment.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

The LEO 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 Westmeath 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.

Such duties include inter alia:

• Provide one-to-one business advice and guidance to start-ups and existing microenterprises in County Westmeath.

• Act as a point of contact for clients, assessing and identifying development needs and advising on relevant supports, qualifying criteria and the application process.

• Engage with portfolio companies that are growing to support them in reaching their potential and increasing market share through full utilisation of LEO supports.

• Develop and lead initiatives designed to support micro-enterprises to increase performance and competitiveness, including programmes such as green initiatives, lean and resilience-building supports.

• Develop and identify initiatives that assist LEO clients with exporting and ensure they can access the most appropriate export supports for their stage of development.

• Encourage and support LEO clients to invest in R&D and incorporate RD&I into their commercial activities.

• Preparing and presenting client business proposals to the LEO Evaluations Committee for funding.

• Providing administrative assistance to the Evaluations and Approvals Committee or other groups or networks supported by the LEO.

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

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

• Staff management and supervision.

• Payment administration and budget monitoring and reporting.

• Reporting to senior management and providing regular reports and updates on metrics and key indicators while ensuring that work conforms to procedures and standards.

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

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

Qualifications for the Post

Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

Health

Each candidate must 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.

Education, Experience and Competencies

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

• 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.

Desirable, though not essential:

• Experience of working with the microenterprise sector with an in-depth understanding of the issues and challenges facing the sector.

• A relevant third level business qualification.

Type of Post

A panel will be formed from which wholetime, permanent and fixed term contract posts may be filled.

Salary

The salary will be fully inclusive and will be 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 any services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

The Business Advisor salary scale (analogous to Grade VI) is from €57,322 – €70,030 including LSIs as per Circular Letter EL 07/2025. Please note starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government pay policy.

Increments are payable, subject to satisfactory performance and in accordance with current Government Pay Policy and the provisions of the Public Service Agreements.

Working Base

Westmeath County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department or premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

Working Hours

Normal working hours are 35 hours per week from Monday to Friday. Duties may require the successful applicant to work outside of normal hours, i.e. attendance at evening/weekend training. All hours worked will be subject to the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, as amended.

You may be required to complete a time sheet in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001.

Annual Leave

The current annual leave entitlement is 30 days per annum. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1977 (as amended).

Sick Leave

The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

Superannuation

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012:

New members joining the Public Sector on or after 1 January 2013 will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. The Single Scheme applies to all pensionable first-time entrants to the Public Service as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks. A rate of PRSI contribution will be required of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 3% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children). This includes a contribution to a Spouse’s and Children’s Scheme.

Pension and retirement lump sum based on career-average pay pensions will be coordinated with the State Pension Contributory (SPC).

For persons who commenced public sector employment prior to 1 January 2013:

Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children).

Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

All persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

Employee Benefits

Examples of some of the current employee benefits include:

• Allocation of 30 days annual leave per annum (pro-rata)

• Access to flexi time scheme

• A range of family friendly policies

• Availability of an optical benefit scheme

• Availability of a cycle to work scheme

• A range of learning and developmental opportunities

• Paid maternity and paternity leave

• Option to become a member of Westmeath County Council’s Social Club

• State-of-the-art office accommodation in our Civic Headquarters

• Automatically entered into a pension scheme

• Access to the services provided under Westmeath County Council’s Employee Assistance Programme

Retirement

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012:

The compulsory retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years. Minimum pension age of 66 years, rising to 67 years and 68 years in line with State Pension age changes, is applicable.

Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004:

There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants from 1 April 2004 to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. 65 years is the minimum age at which a person may be paid. As a new entrant to the public service, under the terms of this legislation, new entrants will not be required to retire on grounds of age.

Anyone who is not a “New Entrant” to the public service, defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, is subject to a compulsory retirement age of 70 years.

Travel

Holders of the post shall hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles and, when required to do so, shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. If you are required to travel as part of your official duties, Westmeath County Council as your employer must be indemnified on your insurance policy. Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and Westmeath County Council’s Travel and Subsistence Policy. If during your employment your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.

Health, Safety and Regulations

Westmeath County Council, as an employer, is obliged to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of all its employees. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the County Council has a legal duty to exercise all due care and take all protective and preventative measures to protect the safety, health and welfare of its employees.