19394 - Cross Government Finance Manager

£30,229 - £46,424
2
12 Months
London, National
London, National
102 PETTY FRANCE LONDON, SW1H 9AJ, NATIONAL
SEO
B
Permanent
Full Time
Business Management & Improvement, Finance, Analytical

Please note that applicants from outside the civil service, if successful, will start with a salary corresponding to the bottom of the band. Additionally, any relevant professional qualifications and/or memberships will be factored into salary discussions. Regular travel to London is required in this role.

Overview

HMCTS is embarking on a period of significant change which will see the organisation transform. Strong leadership is a critical element in this being successful. As a manager within HMCTS the jobholder must provide clear direction and focus, visibly championing the changes which deliver greater efficiencies. The HMCTS Executive Team expects managers in the organisation to operate in a culture of openness and honesty, demonstrating a commitment to change through involvement and empowerment, and by delivering results.

The HMCTS Finance, Governance and Performance function will have a pivotal role in supporting senior stakeholders and their teams through the change, with the right strategy to build the necessary organisational capability and to realise the benefits needed.

Main purpose of the role:

As a Finance Manager for Cross government impacts for the HMCTS Change Portfolio, your role is to protect value, drive value and add value. You will work across the Portfolio with Finance Business Partners, Service Owners, Project Managers and Business Case Writers to produce a clear framework for financial impacts and alignment with operations/frontline over the lifetime of the programme.

Your role will be to help achieve the HMCTS vision to have an efficient and effective courts and tribunals system which enables the rule of law to be upheld, and provides access to justice for all. You will ensure that the significant investment made by HM Treasury allows HMCTS to provide a more accessible system which is modern and responsive, treats those who use our service with dignity and respect, and which provides better value for money for the taxpayer. You will help deliver a significant reform programme which will enable a radical estates modernisation and greater use of digital solutions.

You will provide effective, active and dynamic leadership, communicating objectives, plans and priorities with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. You will become involved in national initiatives that continue to develop the finance function with regard to delivering accounting services and improving management information and where appropriate you will ensure compliance with CPD requirements, and keep up to date with accounting developments and programme and project requirements.

Key Responsibilities

  • Reporting to the Band A Cross Government Financial Lead for the Change Portfolio you help will produce the overarching financial impacts for HMT approach for the entire HMCTS change portfolio external government stakeholders and ensure this is well articulated, documented and understood by senior officials in programmes and projects as well as the senior management team.
  • You will assist in setting the overall Government impacts framework for the portfolio and engage with the Medium Term Financial Planning team to ensure these costs and benefits are factored into plans for the future. You will also drive the right behaviours to ensure OGD impacts are owned by the business.
  • You will help to develop the dashboard for tracking and monitoring OGD financial impacts on a monthly basis and share with relevant senior officials.
  • You will act as the conduit between HMCTS and OGD finance representatives to ensure that all agencies understand the financial impacts of the changes being made.
  • You will work across the Change Portfolio to get a better understanding of project and programme requirements to continuously improve and develop the OGD financial impacts framework for the Reform Programme.
  • You will have a good understanding of programme and project principles as well as government accounting requirements to accurately report programme spend and benefits on an annual basis. You will work with the Programme team to ensure you have a detailed understanding of benefits profile over the lifetime of the programme.
  • You will work with HMCTS and MoJ Finance (and HMT officials as required) to accurately interpret accountancy standards and Government Accounting regulations to ensure analysis accurately captures requirements adhering to HM Treasury Green Book appraisal and evaluation techniques and relevant guidance.
  • You will help ensure you drive best value for money decisions and challenge Project Managers and Project Sponsors as appropriate.
  • You will help guide project managers and other key members of staff to improve financial analysis across the programme.

Additionally,

  • You will engage with internal and external stakeholders to provide information that meets requirements and considers the legal obligations placed upon HMCTS and government departments. To act with integrity, honesty and impartiality in all such dealings.
  • You will actively seek best practice in service delivery, develop new products to meet the needs of the changing business and to assist the business deliver solutions that represent good value for money.
  • You will provide visible, approachable leadership to team(s), maintaining a continuous dialogue with staff in respect of change, performance and celebrating successes.
  • You will show personal commitment to innovation (CI), actively listen to staff ideas/concerns and act upon them.
  • You will role model leadership behaviours that emphasise an inclusive / participative approach to management and tackle inappropriate behaviours / poor performance.
  • You will encourage personal development by showing commitment to life-long-learning and support staff in developing new skills.
  • You will represent the finance community in the wider business in a professional manner which builds cross functional relationships and strengthens the perception of finance as a fair, impartial and business focused /critical partner
  • You will 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

Key Skills

  • CCAB, or equivalent, qualified (or with considerable financial/ commercial experience and the ability to gain formal CCAB qualifications within a reasonable time).
  • Excellent data interrogation techniques and good track record of using systems to do so (SAS, SQL etc)
  • Good technical accounting skills to ensure Treasury financial reporting requirements and International Accounting Standards are applied correctly.
  • Good track record for producing business cases for programmes and projects.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders.
  • Strong influencing and negotiation skills.
  • Strong data presentation skills and an ability to convey complex information to a variety of audiences.
  • Ability to work in a culture of change, to think strategically and work with risk.
  • Adaptable and willing to review role and priorities with senior management team to meet the current and future needs of the organisation.

Key Civil Service Competencies (See Competency Framework)

You will be required to provide evidence of the following key competencies at Level 3.

Delivering Value for Money

  • Recommend actions to achieve value for money and efficiency
  • Cultivate and encourage an awareness of cost, using clear simple examples of benefits and how to measure outcomes
  • Work confidently with performance management and financial data to prepare forecasts and manage and monitor budget against agreed plans
  • Follow appropriate financial procedures to monitor contracts to ensure deliverables are achieved
  • Monitor the use of resources in line with organisational procedures and plans and hold team to account

Changing and Improving

  • Find ways to improve systems and structures to deliver with more streamlined resources
  • Regularly review procedures or systems with teams to identify improvements and simplify processes and decision making
  • Be prepared to take managed risks, ensuring these are planned and their impact assessed
  • Actively encourage ideas from a wide range of sources and stakeholders and use these to inform own thinking
  • Be willing to meet the challenges of difficult or complex changes, encouraging and supporting others to do the same
  • Prepare for and respond appropriately to the range of possible effects that change may have on own role/team

Leading and Communicating

  • Take opportunities to regularly communicate and interact with staff, helping to clarify goals and activities and the links between these and Departmental strategy
  • Recognise, respect and reward the contribution and achievements of others
  • Communicate in a succinct, engaging manner and stand ground when needed
  • Communicate using appropriate styles, methods and timing, including digital channels, to maximise understanding and impact
  • Promote the work of the Department and play an active part in supporting the Civil Service values and culture
  • Convey enthusiasm and energy about their work and encourage others to do the same

Collaborating and Partnering

  • Establish relationships with a range of stakeholders to support delivery of business outcomes
  • Invest time to generate a common focus and genuine team spirit
  • Actively seek input from a diverse range of people
  • Readily share resources to support higher priority work, showing pragmatism and support for the shared goals of the organisation
  • Deal with conflict in a prompt, calm and constructive manner
  • Encourage collaborative team working within own team and across the Department

Seeing the Bigger Picture

  • Be alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact or benefit own and team’s work
  • Develop an understanding of own area’s strategy and how this contributes to Departmental priorities
  • Ensure own area/team activities are aligned to Departmental priorities
  • Actively seek out and share experience to develop understanding and knowledge of own work and of team’s business area
  • Seek to understand how the services, activities and strategies in the area work together to create value for the customer/end user

Managing a Quality Service

  • Make effective use of project management skills and techniques to deliver outcomes, including identifying risks and mitigating actions
  • Develop, implement, maintain and review systems and service standards to provide quality, efficiency and value for money
  • Work with team to set priorities, goals, objectives and timescales
  • Establish mechanisms to seek out and respond to feedback from customers about service provided
  • Promote a culture that tackles fraud and deception, keeping others informed of outcomes
  • Develop proposals to improve the quality of service with involvement from a diverse range of staff, stakeholders or delivery partners

If you are a Finance Professional, the following competency also applies:

Professional/Specialist Skill

  • A recognised finance qualification or part-qualification of an IFAC (International Federation of Accountants) member body (e.g. ICAEW, ICAS, ICAI, CIMA, ACCA or CIPFA); or no formal finance qualification but considerable financial/ commercial experience and the ability to gain formal CCAB qualifications within a reasonable time
  • Excellent practical understanding of Oracle financial systems and related reporting products
  • Excellent financial analysis skills and an advanced knowledge of Excel
  • Detailed understanding of cost and income issues affecting budget management within tribunals or courts
  • Track record for producing reliable and accurate forecasts and other financial reports to tight and shifting deadlines
  • Ability to communicate complex financial issues to non-finance staff in a way that is clear and concise
  • Knowledge and understanding of up-to-date International Accounting Standards (IASs)

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 salary sacrifice arrangements for childcare vouchers, and voluntary benefits such as retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • 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.

Interviews are expected to take place 6th to 10 August 2018

18/07/2018, 23:55 hours.

Closing Date: 18th July 2018 at 23:55

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 19394.

Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

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.

Candidate Information

You may be required to provide statements describing your skills and experience relevant to each of the selection criteria. We recommend that you structure any examples as Situation, Task, Action and Result. For more information about the recruitment process and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

In the event of a large number of applications, we reserve the right to undertake the following processes:


  • An automated online test where a benchmark must be passed to progress;
  • A sift on the lead selection criteria. If this happens, the lead criteria will be the first one listed in the advert.

During the selection process, you may be asked to undertake an additional assessment (such as written test). If this is applicable you will be notified of this when you are invited to interview.



if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance
Delivering Value for Money
Changing and Improving
Leading and Communicating
Collaborating and Partnering
Seeing the Big Picture
Managing a Quality Service
Professional competency
• A recognised finance qualification or part-qualification of an IFAC (International Federation of Accountants) member body (e.g. ICAEW, ICAS, ICAI, CIMA, ACCA or CIPFA); or no formal finance qualification but considerable financial/ commercial experience and the ability to gain formal CCAB qualifications within a reasonable time
• Excellent practical understanding of Oracle financial systems and related reporting products
• Excellent financial analysis skills and an advanced knowledge of Excel
• Detailed understanding of cost and income issues affecting budget management within tribunals or courts
• Track record for producing reliable and accurate forecasts and other financial reports to tight and shifting deadlines
• Ability to communicate complex financial issues to non-finance staff in a way that is clear and concise
• Knowledge and understanding of up-to-date International Accounting Standards (IASs)
CCAB or equivalent qualified (or with considerable financial/commercial experience and the ability to gain formal CCAB qualifications within a reasonable time).

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

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.

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.