Business Support Practitioner

Job Introduction

We’re looking for an exceptional Business Support Practitioner to help us make a difference to our planet. 

As our Business Support Practitioner, the job may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in the office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and the location advertised will be your contractual place of work. 

Our opportunity is full time, 37 hours per week, but we would also consider applicants wishing to work a minimum of 30 hours per week and we will also try our best to consider those intending to work a job share.  Our people are at the heart of what we do and we'll do our best to agree a working pattern that works for everyone. 

Whilst this is a temporary position for 12 months, there is potential for this post to develop into a permanent position. 

World changing work 

From science to technology, from meteorology to management, and from planning to communication, our expertise helps us stand out as the authority on weather accuracy and climate prediction. We help individuals, industries and government to make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. This is the Met Office. This is who we are. 

• We’re a force for good - focusing on our environmental and social impact
• We’re experts by nature - always learning and developing to do things better
• We live and breathe it - putting our purpose at the heart of decision-making
• We’re better together - understanding partnerships and inclusivity make us greater
• We keep evolving - pushing boundaries to make tomorrow better for our customers

Your world of expertise 

The Office of Science and Technology (OST), led by the Chief Scientist, provides leadership and strategic direction in aligning the Science and Technology Directorates across the Met Office. The OST Team provide operational management of Science and Technology.

We are currently looking for a self-motivated, highly organised individual for a Business Support Practitioner role. To liaise and work with key stakeholders within OST and the Science and Technology Directorates. 

Your key duties:

• Finance coordination and administration for Science allocations, headcount and direct costs. Including consolidating data, reconciling, checking for accuracy, upload and analysis.
• Working closely with key stakeholders and supporting with queries and compiling reports as requested.
• Clear communication with key stakeholders of time frames and requirements for both finance and management information.
• Raising purchase orders and review and payment of invoices.
• Processing and reconciling GPC payments.
• TimeWatch administration across the Science and Technology Directorates.
• Providing administrative support to Professions.  

Why join us 

Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is Great Place to Work UK certified. We are also featured on their ‘Best Workplaces in Tech’ 2023 and 2024 lists, as well as their ’54 Best Workplaces for Women’ 2023 list.

As our Job Title, your total reward package will be up to £38,280 annually, which includes: 

• £26,954 base pay
• An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years and option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year of annual leave

Essential Criteria, skills and experience: 

1. Live and breathe it- Experience of working with data, possibly in a finance background. Ability to work pro-actively, with a keen eye for detail, ensuring accuracy and consistency of information.

2. Better together – Great team working skills. Adaptable to work effectively as part of a team or individually within minimal supervision as needed to achieve strategic goals.

3. An expert by nature- Highly proficient in the use of Microsoft Office 365 suite of services, in particular Excel and SharePoint. With experience of using Power BI or an interest in learning to use this tool.

4. A force for good- Experienced in building strong relationships with key stakeholders. Offering support and advice and ensuring clear communication.

5. Keep evolving – Excellent time management and organisational skills. With the ability to adapt, prioritise and work to tight deadlines in a dynamic working environment.

How to apply 

If you share our values, we’d love to hear from you! Click apply to begin your application. Please complete your career history and provide evidence against each of the essential criteria in the supporting statement questionnaire. We recommend candidates use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) for presenting evidence of experience and skills. 

Closing date 27/04/2025 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 12/05/2025. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed.  

How we can help 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact us at careers@metoffice.gov.uk.  

If you’re considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch. You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us. Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity. You can select in your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme. To be invited to interview/assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the essential criteria for the role. 

We understand that great minds don’t always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code. 

We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK - please refer to GOV.UK for information. We require Security clearance, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us.