37056 - Finance Business Partner: European Social Fund
We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity
Although some attendance is required in the Daresbury office, this post does also offer remote working flexibility
Person
Are you a fully qualified (CCAB/CIMA) finance professional?
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, based in the North West of England?
If so, then our Finance Business Partner role in HM Prison and Probation, Custodial Contracts Finance Business Partnering Team, supporting in HMPPS Co-Financing Organisation (HMPPS CFO) could be the next role you are looking for.
HMPPS CFO is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and provides essential resettlement provisions to the hardest to help offender cohort. The role being advertised is supporting the Lead Finance Business Partner HMPPS CFO.
Summary
As a Finance Business Partner, you will be a 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 – HMPPS CFO.
There will be line management responsibilities attached to this post and 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 and provide the opportunity to help in managing Contracts within HMPPS CFO.
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 Senior Management Team in response to changes in ESF guidance
- Accountable for the financial input into the development of the business plans for the CFO Project over the short, medium and long term
- Work alongside the budget holder to deliver in line with the agreed profile annual plan and produce accurate forecasts;
- Responsible for providing financial input into the development of the CFO Project plans over the short, medium and long term including accurate profiling of income and expenditure covering several financial years
- Responsible for contributing to the financial planning and clarity on the affordability and achievability of plans within the CFO project
- Responsible for contributing to the development of the group business plans;
- Responsible for providing option analysis and challenge to support decision making within the CFO project
Stakeholder Engagement
- Responsible for ensuring regular contact is maintained with key stakeholders and budget holder, building, maintaining and influencing effective key stakeholder relationships with and on behalf of the LFBP;
- Working closely with the colleagues in DWP who are the Managing Authority for the funding when preparing and inputting financial details for the quarterly claim for funding;
- Working closely with stakeholders within the Lead Finance Business Partner team and the Management Accounts Team to ensure an understanding of in year forecasts;
- Responsible for ensuring a strong partnership exists with key stakeholders to support organisational performance and delivery of project plans.
- Responsible for providing financial information and liaising with all auditors.
Expert Financial Advice
- Accountable to the LFBP for financial oversight of budgets, ensuring overall financial control by engaging and influencing key stakeholders;
- Responsible for all monthly management account processes relating to the project;
- Responsible for creating robust financial reports which are adaptable to changing requirements / environment;
- Accountable for analytical interpretation of financial performance within the business and providing advice to key stakeholders, ensuring that all expenditure and claims reconcile to the General Ledger;
- 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 providing expert analysis of all project expenditure to aid decision making ;
- 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 project, commissioning appropriate assurance testing and providing strategic advice where required;
- Contributing to the development of a culture of financial awareness within the project and business;
Decision Making
- Responsible for ensuring that the budget holder has 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 cost centre 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
Salary
Inner London £40,478 - £52,248
Outer London £38,299 – £49,865
National £34,090 – £45,102
Person Specification
We will assess you against these Success Profile Behaviours during the selection process:
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
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
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
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.
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
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 CCAB/CIMA Qualified
- You will have a good knowledge of Excel
In the event of a large number of applications, a sift will be conducted using the lead behaviour ‘Managing a Quality Service ’
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.
Qualifications
You will be CCAB/CIMA Qualified
You will have a good knowledge of Excel
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.
09/10/2020, 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
You will have a good knowledge of Excel - 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.