85542 - Finance Business Partner- Probation (West Mids)
This role is supporting the West Midlands region. The main hub is Centre City Tower in Birmingham so this would be the successful candidate’s base office location, although some travel across the West Midlands region would be expected to attend meetings, but travel can be claimed when not at the base office location
Ministry of Justice an Inclusive Employer
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer of choice and ensuring equity of opportunity for all. We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring in terms of their culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity
Overview
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 finance roles an exciting and challenging opportunity.
The main purpose of the FBP team 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 team works 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.
The Band B (SEO) FBP will interact regularly with geographically dispersed units to build and sustain trust, ensuring they keep strategic oversight of all agendas.
You will join a team of up to 20 FBP’s that support Probation. This post will cover the West Midlands region supporting senior leaders.
Role Summary
Finance Business Partnering SEOs are responsible for building strong relationships with their stakeholders, understanding the business, and explaining financial information to budget holders in an understandable manner.
FBPs spend a significant proportion of their time within the business, interacting regularly to build and sustain trust, ensuring they keep strategic oversight of all agendas.
Typical Role 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.
1. The Business Expert
The post holder will support the business and the Lead Finance Business Partner in the strategic finance leadership of functional areas within the business area, covering or deputizing 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 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 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.
2. The Influential Voice
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.
3. The Financial Advisor
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 Centre of Excellence, 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 business and the Lead Finance Business Partner focused on helping budget holders interpret and fulfil their responsibilities for financial governance, control and risk management – including compliance with Managing Public Money and other HM Treasury 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.
Entry Routes
Suitable for staff with the required skills and / or experience from within or outside Finance
Within Finance
This role may be suitable for Finance individuals at HEO or SEO with the required influencing and interpersonal skills.
From Outside Finance
This role may be suitable for HEOs on promotion and SEOs with the required data analysis, influencing, stakeholder management and numeracy skills and who are interested in joining the Finance function.
Progression Routes
Staff in this role typically transfer to Management Reporting SEO, Financial Accounting and Reporting SEO or Business Support SEO roles, or progress to Financial Business Partnering G7, Management Reporting G7 or Financial Accounting and Reporting G7 roles.
Role Responsibilities/Tasks
The post holder will have:
• The ability to influence others, using verbal and written communication to articulate their thoughts, ideas and rationale in order to gain agreement.
• The ability to work across multiple areas, bringing together expertise from a range of teams to drive valued outcomes.
• Experience of building productive and long-lasting relationships with others and establishing mutual respect.
• Experience of providing professional finance and corporate services to senior stakeholders and influencing business decisions.
• Experience of communicating and presenting financial information to a non-financial audience.
• Challenger – someone who can bring a fresh perspective, appreciating the many different angles and other views to consider in arriving at a quality outcome.
• Strategic – be an individual who can consider the wider factors and long-term implications of decisions, and both understand the big picture and can engage others on this.
• Established technical finance expertise and/or demonstrated experience
• Good knowledge of Excel
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.
Behaviours Required
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.
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
Please refer to the Civil Service Behaviours Framework, which can be found here, to complete this application: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf
• If we receive a large volume of applications, we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on one lead behaviour. The chosen lead behaviour for this campaign is Communicating and Influencing
In addition to Civil Service Behaviours identified above, candidates will be assessed using the following:
• A Statement of Suitability is required consisting of a maximum of 250 words.
• CV
• Candidates who reach interview stage will also be required to give a presentation.
Interpersonal Skills
• Possesses emotional intelligence and can think empathetically, considering the strategic goals of others.
• Fosters a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration between the business, finance, and other corporate services.
• Can tailor their communication style to a range of audiences, including internal and external stakeholders.
• Uses facts and evidence to aid negotiation and influencing.
• Helps others to understand the interdependencies between business and finance.
• Proactive and passionate, inspiring others to continuously improve.
• Ability to "speak the language" of finance to business, and vice versa, acting as the critical translator between the two.
Professional Skills
Key for Levels of Professional Skills
• A = Awareness
• W = Working
• P = Practitioner
• E = Expert
Core Level
Budgeting, forecasting, and costing P
The Budgeting Framework W
Commercial acumen W
Investment appraisal and evaluation W
Strategic analysis and insight A
Oral and written presentation skills E
Performance and risks W
Data and analytics interpretation P
Useful Level
Taxation A
Interpretation of accounts A
Government financial reporting A
Supporting the PAC agenda A
Understanding the role of the NAO A
Risk management and fraud A
Qualifications
Recommended:
• Part Qualified with CCAB, CIMA or equivalent
• Working towards qualification
In addition to salary, a pensionable, non-contractual specialist allowance will be applied to this role. Specialist allowances apply to certain roles only, are non-transferable to other roles and are subject to annual review.
Travel
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
Working from your base location site and other Probation sites within the West Midlands (should any face-to-face meetings be held there) is required (typically 2-3 days per week). The preferred base office location is Centre City Tower, Birmingham, B5 4UA. It is therefore expected that the successful candidate lives within a reasonable distance of this site.
The post holder is expected to meet their own travel costs to and from their base location. If required to attend a location other than their base location (to other probation sites across the West Midlands), post-holders may be entitled to claim some or all any extra expense (beyond the usual base location travel costs) in line with the T&S policy.
Applicants are advised to access the JCC/JSO office map, which is updated whenever a new JCC/JSO site opens, to determine potential travelling times and distances to MoJ locations before applying for a job.
Application Process
To apply please complete the online application form. Applications will be sifted by a panel who will look at the Civil Service Behaviour framework and what is evidenced in your application. Should many applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential role requirements within the application behaviour responses.
Candidates who are successful following the sift process will be invited to interview, where the behavioural elements and strengths will be tested further alongside other elements of the post. Candidates who reach interview stage will also be required to give a presentation.
Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates in advance of the interviews.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
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.
Interview dates: Expected WC 22/04/24.
For further information please feel free to contact (Ed Robertson, Edward.robertson@justice.gov.uk)
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.
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.
MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.
All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.
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.
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.
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 moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
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
- To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please see our Disability Confident Scheme Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.
04/04/2024, 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
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.