About this role
Job summary
30 hours per week
We are looking for an organised and motivated individual to join our team as a Freedom of Information Officer and Executive Business Assistant on a part-time secondment or fixed term basis. We offer flexible and agile working arrangements. The role is primarily home based, with the option to work from a Trust site if preferred. Flexible working patterns can be accommodated.
Being part of the Executive Office Administration Team provides valuable experience supporting senior leaders and contributing to key organisational processes. Through involvement in the Trust's Freedom of Information process, the role provides a unique perspective on the breadth of services delivered across the organisation and the issues that matter to the public, media and stakeholders.
This is an exciting opportunity to work with colleagues across the Trust, build strong communication and analytical skills, and gain experience in a varied and rewarding role that combines executive support with responsibility for coordinating and managing Freedom of Information requests.
The role also offers insight into corporate governance, strategic priorities and executive decision-making, alongside hands-on experience in diary management, meeting coordination, stakeholder engagement and executive support.
Main duties of the job
As the Freedom of Information Officer, you will coordinate the Trust's Freedom of Information process from receipt of requests through to final response, ensuring statutory deadlines are met and responses are accurate, clear and compliant with legislation. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you will research information, analyse data, monitor progress against deadlines and draft high-quality responses to a wide range of enquiries. The role requires excellent attention to detail, strong organisational skills and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion. Full training on the Freedom of Information Act will be provided as part of the role.
In addition to FOI responsibilities, you will provide flexible Executive Business Assistant and administrative support within the Executive Office. This will include preparation of agendas and papers, minute-taking, supporting Executive Directors and senior colleagues where required with diary management, meeting and event coordination, drafting correspondence and producing reports and documentation.
This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced administrator who enjoys coordinating processes, researching information, building positive working relationships and delivering high-quality work.
About us
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are
- Caring for and about you is our top priority
- Committed to providing good quality, safe services
- Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
- Flexible working options to support work-life balance
- 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
- Generous NHS pension scheme
- Excellent learning and career development opportunities
- 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
- Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
- Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
- Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
- Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
- Free parking across Trust sites
Job description
Job responsibilities
The must haves for this role
Previous Senior Administrator experience.
Ability to manage complex processes competing deadlines.
High-quality minute taking and note taking skills.
Excellent communication and organisational skills.
Attention to detail.
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, its important that examples and responses given in your supporting statement genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.
In addition to explaining how you meet the person specification, you must complete your employment history for at least the last five years. Any experience, skills or responsibilities referenced in your supporting statement should be evidenced within your employment history. Applications that do not include sufficient employment history to support the experience claimed may not be shortlisted.
Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Stonewall Proud Employer, Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call: Cheryl Gardner on 0118 904 6508 or email: [email protected] wholl be delighted to help. Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Person Specification
Education, qualifications or training
Essential
- A high standard of education including GCSE or English Language and Mathematics or equivalent qualification
Desirable
- Educated to degree standard or equivalent business experience
Continuous Professional Development
Desirable
- Evidence of commitment to ongoing continuous professional development
Previous Experience
Essential
- Previous experience as senior administrator or executive assistant/personal assistant.
Desirable
- Experience of, or demonstrable ability to, undertake minute & note taking.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Essential
- Experience in MS office software including Outlook, Word, Teams and Excel and PowerPoint
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, and the ability to compose correspondence appropriate to a wide-ranging audience.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Address
Administration
Bracknell
RG12 2UT
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)