ACL Data & Funding Officer

ACL Data & Funding Officer

Permanent, Full Time

£25,959 up to £28,621 per annum

Location: Countywide

Working Style: Fixed-base worker

Closing Date: 30th June 2026

This position has been classed as an anywhere worker role but has an expectation that the successful candidate will attend the office, 2-3 days per week, with the remaining time for remote working if desired, in line with the organisation’s needs

The Role

The Data & Funding Officer will work as a member of the MIS Team providing funding advice, learner performance data and management reports to contribute to local planning and decision making.

The role will be responsible for supporting all users of the MI systems (currently TERMS, PICS & Power Bi) in day to day use and training users.  Providing input to the ongoing development of the system by suggesting areas for improvement to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

This role will work with colleagues to deliver accurate and timely management information to meet the business needs of ACL. Responsible for reviewing and analysing a variety of complex data to ensure the delivery of all statutory data collections.

It is essential you have an excellent eye for detail and a methodical approach to extracting data and providing reports from a management information system.  Experience of working in an education environment is preferred.  Advanced Excel Skills are essential.  An excellent working knowledge of at least one of the following systems is preferred: TERMS, PICS, Power Bi.

Above all, you will have good communication skills, both verbal and written with the desire to develop your skills throughout the role.

To read more about our business area, please visit:

Policy, Economy, Investment and Property

The Opportunity

Adult Community Learning (ACL) is ECC’s provider of lifelong learning experiences for Essex residents.  ACL offers qualifications to help people move nearer to, enter or progress within the workplace or gain skills to enhance life chances.  The service focuses many of its programmes and activities on the hardest to reach communities within Essex.  ACL learners have access to a diverse range of accredited and non-accredited courses which encourage creativity, healthy lifestyles, social inclusion and engagement.  

The Data Officer provides MIS learner performance data and management reports to contribute to local planning and decision making.  The role will be required to contribute to the continuing development of the system and training of staff. 

Evidence of accurate recording of data is essential in this role, as is the ability to translate this into management reports.  Knowledge and understanding of data requirements in Education and Ofsted inspections is also key.

Accountabilities

• Responsible for providing MIS performance data, contributing to reports for the business, on a regular basis, to inform local planning decision making.

• Work collaboratively with other ACL teams to support analysis of key learner data, projects and initiatives. 
• Contribute to the continuing development and maintenance of an MI system to support business direction and is aligned to funding requirements.
• Support the presentation of data analysis that enables the academic services team to plan cost effective programmes, provide trend data, relating to retention, achievement, success, progression and destination and inform areas requiring improvement to ensure customers achieve their aspirations.
• Contribute to the delivery of training and development for TERMS/MIS to ACL staff as necessary.
• Facilitate the use of TERMS/PICS and other software applications by learner service staff to ensure that records are up to date and accurate.
• Responsible for meeting the requirements of funders, prime contractors and regulatory bodies, including DfE, Ofsted, particularly with respect to learner audit data and evidence.
• Deliver against the annual schedule for service data returns, ensuring compliance with the DfE and other funding data returns timetable and the publication and use of performance data.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to level 2 (GCSE) or equivalent by experience. 
• Ability to develop skills through role.
• Experience of service delivery within information management and systems with evidence of accurately inputting data and providing management information.
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Knowledge and understanding of the TERMS/PICS systems.
• Knowledge and understanding of data requirements for education environments e.g.  Ofsted.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In March 2026, the Government announced that councils in Greater Essex will be reorganised into five new unitary authorities from April 2028. In addition to this, Greater Essex has been accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service.  The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate.  This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.  For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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