Business Support Officer Level 1 - Communication and Language Support

We provide interpreters for over 60 spoken languages and British Sign Language (BSL). We translate documents and publications into different languages, Braille, and other accessible formats. We work with all council departments to make sure information is available to everyone. We train and manage a team of interpreters, translators, and language specialists, working with universities and other partners to promote careers in language services. We aim to make Manchester a leader in language and cultural diversity. Why It Matters Our work supports the Council’s vision of equality for all and contributes to the city’s growth-socially, culturally, and economically. We help ensure everyone has an equal chance to benefit and contribute to life in Manchester.

About the Team The Multilingual Business Support team plays a key role in achieving these goals and supporting council policies.

This Business Support role sits within M-Four Translations, a vital service supporting Manchester City Council’s commitment to inclusive and accessible services. You will play a key part in booking Interpreting and translation requests, ensuring residents can access council services regardless of language barriers.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment where your work directly supports vulnerable communities and frontline services across the city, helping to improve communication, equality, and service delivery.

This role is essential to the effective delivery of the M-Four Translations service. By accurately processing bookings, liaising with interpreters, and supporting service users, you will ensure that communication runs smoothly across council services., We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care.
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term condition
• Have you completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programmes?

When You Join Us

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly., In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.

Pre-Employment Checks

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks will depend on the role you’ve applied for, see the top of the advert for details.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other relevant information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role. For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) 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. Calculate your take home pay. Use this service to estimate how much Income Tax and National Insurance you should pay for the current tax year.

• Proof of Manchester Residency - Roles at Grade 1 to 3, traineeships, or apprenticeships will initially only be advertised to Manchester residents and internal candidates. An applicant is classed as a resident of Manchester if they live within the boundaries of the City of Manchester; i.e. Any Council Tax liability for their home would be with Manchester City Council. To check if you fall under the Manchester City Council boundary please visit - https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
• Qualification - Language Proficiency evidence of one of the following languages: Arabic, Farsi, Kurdish or Pushto
• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request., Your work will directly contribute to timely and professional language support, enabling services to operate efficiently and ensuring residents receive the support they need without barriers. We would love to hear from you if you have experience of:
• Multi-tasking and have experience of working under pressure, organising your workload and meeting deadlines
• Ability to engage with stakeholders to identify information needs and to know how to obtain relevant information
• Handling enquiries/queries (written or verbal) from a wide range of people - internal and external customers, and freelance vendors - in a friendly and professional way.
• Working independently to resolve queries and knowing when to escalate to management when required, following the organisations process and timelines.

Essential requirements for the role:

• The ability to speak in at least one one the following languages : Arabic, Farsi, Kurdish or Pushto and evidence this with a proficiency qualification.
• Working with various organisation and stakeholders, using the right language when needed.
• Looking for ways to develop yourself and improve the service.
• Promoting diversity and inclusion in everything you do, making sure everyone gets fair treatment and equal access.
• Numeracy and literacy to a level that you can undertake calculations and respond to emails and enquiries.

Desirable requirements that would be useful in this role:

• Experience of working on Microsoft packages in preparing spreadsheets and responding to email accurately and confidently.
• Experience of Business Support and Administration.
• Being flexible when things get busy or priorities shift.
• Completing paperwork and correspondence to a good standard and on time.

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks during our annual leave purchase period.
• A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job - it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city - a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things