Business Support Officer, Aldershot

About the job

Job summary

Can you provide high-quality business support across budgeting, procurement and governance activity?

Have you worked confidently with a range of stakeholders to keep processes moving and deliver a quality service?

Are you organised, proactive and ready to support the important work of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch?

If so, we'd love to hear from you!

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is the independent railway accident investigation organisation for the UK. Its aim is to improve railway safety and inform industry and the public, without apportioning blame or liability. This role sits within the Branch Support Services team, which supports investigations and helps ensure the effective running of the Branch. As Business Support Officer, you will play an important part in keeping core business support, finance and governance activity running smoothly.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King's birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at DfTc: Department for Transport Central - Department for Transport Careers

Job description

This role provides business support across budget management, procurement, purchase orders, invoice processing, governance and general administration. You will work closely with colleagues across the Branch and wider department, helping to maintain effective systems, support decision-making and deliver a high-quality service.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren't limited to:

• Supporting budget profiling and producing monthly expenditure forecasts
• Production of monthly Corporate Governance Meeting information pack, including reporting on in-year and year-end spend against budget and compliance against Key Performance Indicators
• Assisting with procurement activity, including tender documentation and award processes
• Managing the purchase order process from requisition through to supplier set up
• Managing invoices and receipts, ensuring prompt payment and accurate record keeping
• Providing administrative support to the Corporate Governance Manager and wider team
• Assist the Corporate Governance Manager and the Branch to respond to Freedom of Information, enquiries and subject access requests
• Data Protection - support the Branch in ensuring data protection/information security is considered in all aspects of it's work . Liaise with the Information Asset Owner, DfT and industry colleagues to improve awareness of data issues and implement best practice where appropriate
• Building effective working relationships with stakeholders across the Branch and wider department
• Using Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft 365 tools to manage information and support reporting

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

1. 1. Experience of managing a budget and forecasting
   2. Confident in collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders as well as senior stakeholders
   3. Experience of running projects through to completion whilst being proactive
   4. Experience in working with Microsoft packages, particularly Microsoft Excel at an intermediate level

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least30hours per week.

This roleis suitablefor hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of60%of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

DfTc does not offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of£30,485, Department for Transport contributes£8,831 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

How to apply:

Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement

Stage 3: Interview

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

Stage 1: Sift

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

Experience - you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (1000-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:

• Experience of managing a budget and forecasting
• Confident in collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders as well as senior stakeholders
• Experience of running projects through to completion whilst being proactive
• Experience in working with Microsoft packages, particularly Microsoft Excel at an intermediate level

The sift will take place from 30/06/2026.

Stage 2: Interview

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• Behaviours - Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service
• Experience
• Strengths

The interview will include an assessment which will be conducted on the day. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.

The interviews will take place from 13th July 2026.

This interview will be conducted in person at our Aldershot and Derby offices. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview …