System Analyst

Reporting to the relevant Service Manager, you will provide day-to-day support, administration, and maintenance of the NEC Housing Benefits system and related applications, ensuring accurate processing of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support services, data integrity, and compliance with statutory and audit requirements.

This role is based at Runnymede Civic Centre, Station Road, Addlestone, KT15 2AH, and is suited to someone highly organised, detail-oriented, and experienced in supporting business-critical systems within a local authority or complex service environment. Full system access and training will be provided.

What You'll Be Doing

• Providing day-to-day administration and support for the NEC Benefits system and related applications
• Ensuring accurate and timely processing of Housing Benefit payments, including BACS and Direct Debit files
• Maintaining system integrity through regular housekeeping, monitoring, and updates
• Testing, implementing, and documenting new system releases and functionality changes
• Supporting system upgrades, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), and ensuring business processes are updated accordingly
• Producing management information and reports using reporting tools (e.g. Business Objects / First Query)
• Reconciling Housing Benefit payments, Council Tax Support, and related financial systems
• Monitoring and managing Housing Benefit overpayments and supporting debt recovery processes
• Ensuring accurate data handling in line with GDPR and data retention policies
• Providing data and reports for audits, FOI requests, and Subject Access Requests (SARs)
• Supporting statutory returns to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and other government bodies
• Maintaining user access controls, permissions, and system security standards
• Assisting with CRM system administration and related digital tools
• Investigating and resolving system errors, exceptions, and batch processing failures
• Supporting service improvement projects and contributing to process redesign
• Working with internal and external stakeholders including Finance, IT, DWP, HMRC, auditors, and suppliers
• Ensuring systems support efficient service delivery and continuous improvement

Essential

• Experience of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support systems or assessment processes
• Experience in system administration or IT-based service support
• Strong understanding of GDPR and handling sensitive data
• Good numeracy, literacy, and analytical skills
• Ability to work to deadlines and manage competing priorities
• Experience using Windows-based applications and Microsoft Office
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Desirable

• Experience with NEC or similar benefits software systems
• Experience in software testing or User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
• Knowledge of Housing Benefit subsidy and assurance processes
• Project management experience
• IRRV qualification (or working towards)
• PRINCE2 or equivalent project management qualification
• Experience working with CRM systems or digital service platforms
• Experience producing statutory returns or audit documentation, * Have you worked with the NEC Benefits system or similar local authority benefits software before? If yes, what was your role?
• Have you been involved in User Acceptance Testing (UAT), system testing, or implementing system upgrades/releases? Please explain.

Experience:

• Public Sector: 1 year (required)
• Housing Benefit: 1 year (required)
• Council Tax Support systems: 1 year (required)
• system administration: 1 year (required)
• CRM systems or digital service platforms: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

• IRRV (required)
• PRINCE2 (required)

• Competitive hourly rate of £16.06 per hour
• Full-time hours (37 hours per week)
• 11+ month contract with potential for extension
• Opportunity to work with critical Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support systems in a local authority environment
• Varied role supporting systems, data integrity, reporting, and service improvement