Payments Officer - Internal Applications Only

Internal Applications Only Organisation : London Borough of Waltham Forest Salary: SO2 £41,511 - £43,449 Contract Type: Full-time Permanent Working hours per week: 36 Application Deadline: 13/11/2026 Proposed Interview Date(s): TBC (in person interview) Reference: 2403 About Us: Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, the London Borough of Waltham Forest is a fantastic and exciting place to work. We are a highly ambitious borough. Driven by culture and the innate creativity of our residents, we have developed new and innovative ways to build our communities. Our Council is relentlessly resident-focused, insight-led, digitally driven and commercially minded; a Council focused on meeting the needs of our existing and future residents. London Borough of Waltham Forest is one of the Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard employers. This accreditation is a proof of our commitment to creating a healthy, fair and inclusive workplace. This includes fair pay and conditions, workplace well-being, skills and progression and diversity and recruitment. The Council’s preference is for online application. However, if you have a disability and are unable to complete an online application, please email [email protected] so we can arrange an alternative application method.

About the role

The post holder provides specialist finance, payments, support, and training services to early years providers, commissioned services, and individuals receiving funding through the Early Years Block (EYB) and High Needs Block (HNB) of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). The role ensures accurate and timely payments, supports compliance with statutory and financial requirements, delivers guidance and training to providers, and works collaboratively with internal and external partners to help them meet funding requirements.

The post also supports the Senior Payments Officer in the effective administration and management of funding processes. >> Click here to download the Role Profile << Key Responsibilities: Contributing to meeting the Councils statutory duty to develop and implement a transparent formula in relation to providers who deliver the Governments free early education and childcare scheme, and make payments to all providers in line with the DfE’s and Education and Skills Funding Agencies Early Years requirements.

Contributing to meeting the Councils statutory duty to develop and implement financial arrangements to Ofsted/DfE registered settings, commissioned providers and individuals from the High Needs Block (HNB) of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and make payments in line with the DfE’s and Education and Skills Funding Agencies requirements.

Developing and arranging the delivery of a range of information, support and training to Ofsted/DfE registered settings, commissioned providers and individuals in order for them to understand and comply with financial procedures in relation to the Early Years Block (EYB) and High Needs Block (HNB) of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).

Monitoring compliance with statutory and financial requirements and taking appropriate action where non-compliance issues are identified. Working collaboratively with colleagues and external partners to empower them to meet (EYB) and High Needs Block (HNB) financial requirements. Support the Senior Payments Officer Qualifications and Requirements: Numeracy and literacy qualification e.

g. GCSE English and Maths or equivalent. Relevant professional qualification

• Experience of making accurate and timely and accurate complex payments to a high number of providers in respect of a high number of children
• Good knowledge and understanding of EYB and HNB DSG financial requirements, payments processes, systems, policy, practices, procedures, and legislation.
• Experience of delivering a range of information, support and training to increase colleagues and stakeholders knowledge and understanding of financial requirements in relation to Early Years Block and High Needs Block DSG payments
• Experience of carrying out monitoring, reviews and audits in line with Council financial guidance and statutory requirements in relation to payments from Early Years and High Needs Block of the DSG
• Significant experience of working with and forming positive, trusting relationships with Ofsted/DfE registered settings, commissioned providers and individuals.
• A good understanding of the issues that can affect Ofsted/DfE registered settings, commissioned providers and individuals in relation to EYB and HNB DSG payments and how best to address them
• Experience of using initiative, knowledge and expertise which result in service improvements
• Experience of leading and sustaining partnerships both internally and externally.
• Excellent customer service skills, with experience of resolving escalated / complex customer queries.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, with proven ability to communicate effectively and persuasively to a wide range of audiences.
• An understanding of both the importance and limits of confidentiality in education/safeguarding work, and how to apply these principles.
• Self-motivated, and able to demonstrate initiative and commitment.
• IT skills, including Microsoft Office suite, and skilled in the use of a computerised general ledger system, including experience of developing systems to achieve desired business outcomes.
• Experience of Synergy/Access and Oracle or similar large financial ICT system. Terms and conditions: Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks; Satisfactory declaration of interest; This role is subject to safer recruitment practices as it involves work with children and/ or vulnerable adults; Satisfactory DBS check; As a public authority, we must ensure that members of staff in public-facing roles are able to speak fluent English. This means that they must have a command of spoken English, with confidence and accuracy, sufficient for the effective performance of their role. This requirement does not refer to any particular English language qualifications, regional or international accents, dialects, speech impediments or the tone of conversations. It does not require staff to speak only in English. How to Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications online by pressing the ‘Apply’ button below. This includes a supporting statement that outlines to us how your skills and experience make you a good candidate for this vacancy. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. Contact Information: If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact Vira Yurchenko, DSG Payments Manager at [email protected]. If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post, please contact our Recruitment Team via email at [email protected] Equal Opportunity Employer: Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both, service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population. We use our statutory duties on race, gender and disability equality and best practice in respect of age, faith and sexual orientation to ensure equality of opportunity in the workplace. The Council is committed to meeting its 4 equality objectives:
• Promoting equality of opportunity
• Opposing all forms of discrimination, intolerance and disadvantage
• Ensuring our workforce reflects the diverse communities of Waltham Forest at all levels.
• Providing fair, appropriate, accessible and excellent Services to all. Respecting Diversity is a core Council value. To support the above and reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council is operating an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting. The council also operates a scheme whereby, for jobs graded up to and including scale SO2, internal candidates are considered first. This includes those candidates who self-identify as having a disability for the purposes of the Disability Confident scheme. For more information, please refer to our recruitment and selection policy. We are keen to support employees to balance their working life with other commitments. Therefore, wherever possible, we will consider working arrangements that suit an individual's personal circumstances whilst still meeting the needs of the Council. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below or feel free to discuss this during your interview. For more information on the benefits of working for the Council, please visit https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/jobs-and-training/find-jobs-and-other-opportunities/working-us . Fraud Awareness Notice The London Borough of Waltham Forest only advertises vacancies via our official website and approved recruitment platforms (e.g. Jobsgopublic). We will never ask for payment or request sensitive personal or financial information as part of our recruitment process. If you are contacted by a third party claiming to represent the Council, please verify the vacancy via our official careers website before sharing any information. If you have concerns about a job advert or communication, please report it to: [email protected] Click here for further information on the Human Resources recruitment privacy notice .