28694 - Finance Business Partner - HM Prisons
This post will be located at one of our base locations - Ranby, Nottingham, Lincoln or Leicester. Travel across the geographical group will be required.
Person
Are you a finance professional or currently studying for an accounting qualification?
Are you looking to develop your skills in Finance business partnering?
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, based outside of London?
If so, then our Finance Business Partner role supporting HM Prisons, could be the next role you are looking for.
Summary
As a Finance Business Partner, you will be key member of the finance team, working with other members of the team, wider MoJ Finance colleagues and key Stakeholders from the Business Area we support – HM Prisons.
You will provide support to the strategic finance lead of a geographical area of HMPPS. You will report to a Lead Finance Business Partner (LFBP), who in turn reports to a Senior Finance Business Partner (SFBP). Travel within the Group will be required.
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 and provide the opportunity to help in managing finances within Public Sector Prisons.
Job Role - Main Responsibilities -
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties
You will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
Strategy & Planning
- provide professional advice to the Lead Finance Business Partner [LFBP] and the business/accountable officer in response to a changing political and economic climate;
- Accountable for the financial input into the development of the business plans for the units and groups supported over the short, medium and long term
- Work alongside budget holders to deliver local budgets in line with the annual plan and provide help to produce accurate forecasts
- Responsible for providing financial input into the development of Directorate plans over the short, medium and long term;
- Responsible for contributing to the financial planning and clarity on the affordability and achievability of plans within their business area;
- Responsible for contributing to the development of the group business plans;
- Responsible for providing option analysis and challenge to support decision making
- Responsible for implementing financial strategies to enable delivery of directorate, deputy directorate and group objectives;
Stakeholder Engagement
- Responsible for ensuring regular contact is maintained with key stakeholders and budget holders, building, maintaining and influencing effective key stakeholder relationships with and on behalf of the LFBP; This will include regular face to face meeting with Stakeholders, at a variety of geographical locations within the Group.
- Working closely with the colleagues within the Lead Finance Business Partner Team and the Management Accounts Team to ensure understanding of in year variances & forecasts and future years’ planning together with forecast and planning assumptions within prisons;
- Working closely with stakeholders within the Lead Finance Business Partner team and the Management Accounts Team to ensure an understanding of in year forecasts and variances and their alignment with planning assumptions;
- Responsible for ensuring a strong partnership exists with key stakeholders to support organisational performance and delivery of plans.
Expert Financial Advice
- Accountable to the LFBP for financial oversight of budgets, ensuring overall financial control by engaging and influencing key stakeholders, accountable budget holders and other relevant stakeholders;
- Responsible for providing key decision-making support to the business to influence the production of effective and efficient short, medium and long-term plans in line with strategic priorities and available resources;
- Accountable for analytical interpretation of financial performance within the business and providing advice to key stakeholders, taking into account adherence to agreed efficiency proposals and workforce plans and providing support and challenge where appropriate;
- Responsible for being the strategic lead for the provision of professional advice on all financial matters to key stakeholders within the business;
- Responsible for providing key strategic support for the reduction of costs and delivery of the savings targets by providing expert analysis and decision-making support;
- Responsible to the LFBP for the identification and interpretation of cost drivers, their impact on financial results and ability to influence them;
- Responsible for having oversight of compliance with financial regulations and governance within the business, commissioning appropriate assurance testing and providing strategic advice where required;
- Contributing to the development of a culture of financial awareness within the business;
- Responsible for contributing to the benefits realisation process from major change and finance initiatives.
Decision Making
- Responsible for ensuring that budget holders have a common understanding of their financial performance to challenge and support informed decision making;
- Responsible for instigating and maintaining regular and effective contact with key stakeholders, providing expert analysis and challenging and influencing strategic decision making;
- Provide assurance to the key stakeholder and the LFBP on key decisions;
- Responsible for identifying and developing the best use of financial resources at business unit level and playing an active part in corporate decision making regarding finance delivery.
Any Other
- Work with the LFBP to embed business partner capabilities within the team;
- Continually develop knowledge base on best practice and techniques.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.
Person Specification
We will assess you against these Success Profile Behaviours during the selection process:
Communicating and Influencing
- Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact.
- Encourage the use of different communication methods
- Ensure communication has a clear purpose, considering different needs
- Show positivity and enthusiasm towards work, encouraging others to do the same
Making effective decisions
- Analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources to support decisions
- Invite challenge and where appropriate involve others in decision making
- Display confidence when making difficult decisions, even if they prove unpopular
- Consult with others to ensure the potential impacts have been considered
- Present strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the considerations of other options, costs, benefits and risks.
Seeing the bigger picture
- Understand the strategic drivers for your area of work.
- Align activities to contribute to wider organisational priorities
- Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your area of work
Working together
- Encourage joined up team work within own team and across other groups
- Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders
- Collaborate with these to share information, resources and support
Managing a Quality Service
- Develop, maintain and review systems and services to ensure delivery of professional excellence
- Work with stakeholders to set priorities and objectives
- Deliver high quality outcomes that meet the customers’ needs and give value for money
- Identify risks and resolve issues efficiently
Further information on the Civil Service Behaviours Framework can be found at - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf
Technical Skills
- You will be a qualified Accountant
- Consideration may also be given to part-qualified candidates who are currently studying.
How to Apply
Complete the application form, referring to the criteria set out in the person specification.
In the event of a large number of applications, a sift will be conducted using the lead behaviour.
Applications will be assessed following the closing date and if you are successful at the sift stage you will be invited to interview.
The interview will be conducted using a blended approach covering behaviours, as outlined above.
Interviews - expected to be held w/c 23rd September 2019, at one of our base locations.
Location – at our base locations either – Ranby, Nottingham, Lincoln or Leicester
Qualifications
Either Fully Qualified or Part-Qualified
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
Generous allowances for paid holiday starting at 25 days per year, and rising as your service increases. 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.
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.
06/09/2019, 23:55 hours.
If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk Please quote the job reference - 28694.
If you wish to discuss the role, please contact - Dave.Slade@justice.gov.uk or call 07892723890
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
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.