37034 - Finance Business Partner: NPS England
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Role is based National with flexibility
Background
The Ministry of Justice sits at the heart of public service delivery and the government’s wider social reform agenda, working to protect and advance the principles of justice. The department has been at the forefront of the Government’s wider efficiency agenda making a finance roles an exciting and challenging opportunity.
The Ministry’s functional leadership model for finance brings together specialists into a single, unified team across the Department with the vision of putting finance at the heart of decision making. This change is being conducted through the Future Finance Programme.
The Finance Business Partnering (FBP) teams supports budget holders across the department, assisting them in delivering their financial management responsibilities, ensuring corporate controls and processes are followed and supporting the business areas to have confidence in their financial position and to drive efficiency.
This role description is to help staff understand the activities undertaken by the roles in the new Finance Business Partnering teams. The description is generic across the three new teams and is intended to identify the main activities undertaken by a Finance Business Partner whilst recognising that some business-specific activities may also be required. The new operating model will develop further and it is anticipated that the new teams will develop their own ways of working and interactions.
The department is adopting the cross-government FBP vision, as set out in the “Excellence in Finance Business Partnering” handbook, where FBPs will be providing the best possible service to the business by a combination of business, partnering and technical skills in synergy. They will be the business expert, the influential voice and the financial advisor. This handbook is available on OneFinance.
In order to achieve this vision, FBP teams will work alongside the businesses they support, and have a close understanding of their business to enable them to help drive better outcomes from ensuring that finance is at the heart of decision making. The FBP role is to protect value, drive value and add value to the business.
Person
Are you a qualified finance professional (CCAB/CIMA or equivalent)?
Are you looking to develop your skills in Finance Business Partnering, including the management of Contracts?
Are you good at building stakeholder relationships?
Do you enjoy working in a busy and varied environment?
Are you looking for a flexible working environment? This role is offered nationally and does offer the advantages and opportunity for home-working. There is a requirement for some travel to meet with Stakeholders and your wider team.
If you answered yes to the above then our Finance Business Partner role supporting NPS England, could be the next role for you.
Purpose of the role
The main purpose of the FBP teams is to provide strategic support and challenge to business areas, in line with the FBP Directorate delivery plan, and to ensure that decisions are made with reference to financial information and consequences, putting finance at the heart of decision making.
The FBP should spend a significant proportion of their time within the business, interacting regularly with geographically-dispersed units to build and sustain trust, ensuring they keep strategic oversight of all agendas.
The FBP teams will work with other Finance teams across the function to provide a high-quality finance service to the department, and in particular form a close co-operative relationship with the Management Accounting Centre of Excellence.
Key responsibilities
The service provided by the FBP teams will be in line with the adoption of the cross-government vision set out in the “Excellence in Finance Business Partnering” handbook and be built around three distinct services.
The Business Expert
The post holder will support the Deputy Director and Lead Finance Business Partner in the strategic finance leadership of functional areas within the business area, covering or deputising where appropriate. They will be required to develop an understanding of the long-term strategy of the business areas they are asked to support, considering the strategies of both the wider department and overall business vision.
The post holder must be able to clearly communicate technical, business and financial information to internal and external stakeholders, using the most appropriate methods. They will be expected to proactively identify gaps in financial knowledge within the business, and put in place mechanisms to support the enhancement of financial skills within their business.
The Finance Business Partner must display a knowledge of the operational priorities and short, medium and long-term targets that their assigned business areas must meet, and be capable of advising on key business planning assumptions, trade-offs and opportunities. They should be able to support the strategic vision of the business by offering a broader overview of the department and wider government priorities.
The post holder will provide routine and ad hoc analysis and additional insight on specific issues - using resources provided from the Management Accounting team and other Finance expertise outside of their FBP team.
The post holder will be responsible for building and maintaining effective key stakeholder relationships within their own areas of responsibility and the wider business area. They should display an ability to remain focused on the overall business strategic vision during negotiations, and when to challenge for the benefit of the business.
They will be required to partner leadership teams to support decision-making and governance, including attendance at and influencing governance and senior leadership team/boards. This will include building a partnership with key stakeholders within the business, including identifying who may hold conflicting interests and managing these accordingly, to support and influence key operational and strategic business decisions of the business.
The Finance Business Partner will support the business to improve efficiency and to manage their budgets effectively, working in partnership to flag opportunities and risks early and use data to support, challenge and assure decisions being taken by stakeholders and to drive better outcomes.
They will foster a culture of knowledge-sharing, a collaborative environment between business, finance and other corporate services.
The Financial Adviser
The post holder will provide specialist financial advice to the business including delivering robust accurate forecasts, value for money on contracts, identifying costs and benefits in any investment decisions, and contributing to the design and review of business specific financial planning models and business cases.
They will support and co-ordinate the interaction of other financial experts with the business as required (e.g. Tax CoE, Commercial Finance Team, Financial Strategy & Planning) to provide detailed support and challenge. This will include supporting the relationship with the Management Accounting team, to ensure an appropriate and effective split of responsibilities, and in collaboration with the Management Accounting team add insight to data and business information.
The Finance Business Partner will support the work of the Deputy Director and Senior Finance Business Partner focused on helping budget holders interpreting and fulfilling their responsibilities for financial governance, control and risk management – including compliance with Managing Public Money and other HM Treasury and Departmental financial control framework requirements. They will support the business to identify and effectively monitor risks and opportunities; recommending solutions and prompting mitigating action by the business.
Other duties
The post holder will be required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post. This may also include working closely with other MoJ Finance staff to develop solutions/problem-solve, engaging in project work to drive finance improvements.
Salary
Inner London £40,478 - £52,248
Outer London £38,299 – £49,865
National £34,090 – £45,102
Role Summary
TAs a Finance Business Partner, you will be a key member of the Finance Team, working within your own team, the wider team, and other MoJ Finance colleagues and key Stakeholders from the Business Area we support – HM Probation Service England.
You will provide support to the Strategic Finance Lead of the functional and/or geographical area of HMPPS (Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service). You will report to a Lead Finance Business Partner (LFBP), who in turn reports to a Senior Finance Business Partner (SFBP).
You will have a level of authority and respect to proactively support the shaping of strategic decisions and help drive continuous improvement.
This role will build on your experience of finance fundamentals.
Assessment Criteria
The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the Experience, Behaviours, Ability and Technical elements set out below. These elements will be assessed during any preference exercise if required. Further information on Success Profiles is available on the intranet.
The Finance Business Partner role (Band B) will be:
- Relationship Builder – the post holder will need to build productive and long-lasting relationships with others and establish mutual respect and trust;
- Strategic – be an individual who is able to consider the wider factors and long-term implications of decisions, and both understand the big picture and is able to engage others on this;
- Challenger – someone who can bring a fresh perspective, appreciating the many different angles and other views to consider in arriving at a quality outcome; and
- Influencer – the post-holder will need to be able to influence others, using verbal and written communication to articulate their thoughts, ideas and rationale, in order to gain agreement.
Ability
- Strong leadership, interpersonal skills and authority
- Excellent communication, networking and negotiating skills
- Ability to work across multiple areas, bringing together expertise from a range of teams to drive valued outcomes
Experience
- Experience of providing professional finance and corporate services to senior stakeholders and influencing business decisions.
- Experience of building, maintaining and leveraging collaboration networks and partnerships
- Experience of communicating financial information to a non-financial audience
Technical
- Strong technical expertise – CCAB or equivalent qualification is an essential pre-requisite.
- Good knowledge of Excel is required
Behaviours
The following Civil Service Behaviours are essential to this role and will be assessed if required in any preference exercise.
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
Application Process
In the event of a large number of applications, a sift will be conducted using the lead behaviour ‘Communicating and Influencing’.
Applications will be assessed following the closing date and if you are successful at the Sift stage you will be invited to interview.
Interviews may take place face-to-face or virtually dependant on advice and guidance and Government protocol from Civil Service Senior Leaders during current circumstances.
Qualifications
CCAB or Equivalent qualification is an essential pre-requisite
Strong technical expertise
Good working knowledge of Excel is required
Full time post - options considered
Working Arrangements & Further Information
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.
There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Support
- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits,retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
1- To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
2- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing (resourcing-services@justice.gov.uk);
3- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.
There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Grading Structure Review
The Ministry of Justice is currently undergoing a review of posts which are currently graded at Band A to realign our grading structure with the majority of the wider Civil Service.
Posts advertised at Band A may be graded at either Grade 6 or Grade 7 once the review has taken place.
25/09/2020, 23:55 hours.
To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.
For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).
If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:
- You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
- You were studying abroad
- You were living overseas with parents
In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.
Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.
We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.
Application form stage assessments
Strong technical expertise
Good working knowledge of Excel is required - 250 word limit
Interview stage assessments
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
· UK nationals
· nationals of the Republic of Ireland
· nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
· individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
· Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
This Vacancy is closed to applications.