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General Information

Salary
The national salary is £41,463 - £45,276, London salary range is £47,657 - £52,040. Your salary will be dependent on your base location.
Working Pattern
Full Time
Location
Cardiff, London
Region
London, Wales
Closing Date
31-Dec-2024
Post Type
Loan, Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SEO
Number of jobs available
1
Job ID
1005

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Job Title

Deputy Head of Finance

Pay Grade

SEO

Salary

£41,463- £45,276 (National) / £47,657 - £52,040 (London) Your salary will be dependent on your base location

Location

Ty William Morgan, Cardiff, CF10 1EP/ Gwydyr House, London, SW1A 2NP

Contract

Permanent (Loan basis may also be considered)

Clearance

CTC (See Additional Information)

About us:

The Wales Office is currently recruiting for a Deputy Head of Finance to work in our integrated Wales and Scotland Offices’ finance team. The post will initially be focussed on Wales and the role will require the postholder to work across a range of duties within the finance function.

The Wales Office is the face of the UK Government in Wales and the voice of Wales in Westminster. We support the Secretary of State for Wales and the Ministerial team in representing Wales at the heart of Government. We work in partnership with other Government Departments and other stakeholders to deliver a stronger Wales within a strong United Kingdom.

The Scotland Office and the Office of the Advocate General supports the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Advocate General for Scotland to deliver the Department's objectives of strengthening and sustaining the Union, being Scotland's voice in Whitehall and championing the UK Government in Scotland and protecting the UK Government's interests in the courts and providing advice on policy and legislation.

The resource budget for the Wales Office is £5.8m and the Scotland Office is £13.5m

Job Description and Key Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Chief Finance Officer, the post holder will be required to

·        Lead on the production of the Departmental Accounts, Whole of Government Accounts and National Loan Fund Accounts.

·        Support the delivery of external and internal audits including providing clear supporting evidence, monitoring of audit requests, and responding to auditors’ requests within agreed timeframes.

·        Lead on the preparation of financial management information, including producing monthly management accounts and drafting financial reports for the Senior Leadership Team and Audit Committee.

·        Monitor spends to ensure accurate reporting and working with budget holders to understand variances and agree actions that are appropriate.

·        Support the production of the Main and Supplementary Estimates.

·        Lead on completing the forecast and monthly outturn data and the Estimates data on OSCAR to time and quality standards.

·        Lead on the production of transparency data.

·        Build effective working relationships with key stakeholders such as HM Treasury, Cabinet Office, HMRC and the Welsh/Scottish Governments.

·        Lead on the production of the monthly Departmental cash management forecasts and outturns.

·        Ensure that funding requests for the Department and the Welsh/Scottish Governments are authorised within the agreed timeframes.

·        Monitor the effectiveness of key controls including those operated by outsourced service providers.

·        Support continuous process efficiencies and improvements across the finance team.

·        Support the Chief Finance Officer by undertaking wider corporate services work including governance, security, IT, and estates.

·        You will work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

·        Line management responsibility.

The role is varied, challenging and provides good development opportunities including leading on several aspects of Government finance, and working with senior officials, Ministers, and a range of internal and external stakeholders.

Person Specification

Essential criteria

 

  • ·        Must hold a CCAB or equivalent qualification (or part-qualified, close to completion)
  • ·        Good understanding of Government accounting and/or budgeting.
  • ·        Proven experience of budgeting and forecasting and general month end accounting in the public sector.
  • ·        Strong attention to detail and an ability to analyse and interpret financial data.
  • ·        Good interpersonal, communication, presentational and negotiating skills.
  • ·        Excellent IT skills, working with ease in analysing data in Excel and other reporting tools.
  • ·        Experience of using Oracle financials.
  • ·        Able to work to tight deadlines and communicate/explain financial terms to staff who may be unfamiliar with them.
  • ·        Ability to work in a geographically dispersed team.

Selection process details

This campaign will be undertaken using the Civil Service Success Profile framework. You will need to provide evidence in your application to cover the following:

  • ·        A CV setting out your work history and experience.
  • ·        A Statement of Suitability (a maximum of 1250 words), setting out why you are interested in the role and how you meet the essential criteria.
  • ·        Delivering at Pace (Lead Behaviour) (Application & Interview)
  • ·        Working Together (Application & Interview)
  • ·        Making Effective Decisions (Interview Only)
  • ·        Communicating and Influencing (Interview Only)

Technical Skills

As part of your application, you will also need to provide evidence of the following qualification:

·        A CCAB or equivalent qualification (or part-qualified, close to completion)

In the event of a high volume of applications for this vacancy, an initial sift will be conducted on the Statement of Suitability and lead behaviour, Delivering at Pace.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday the 31st of December 2024 at 23:55.

Additional Information

The Wales and Scotland Offices are not employers in their own right. Staff recruited to work at the Wales Office will be employees of the Ministry of Justice who provide employment services on our behalf.

This role requires CTC level clearance. Applicants for National Security Clearance (CTC) must be resident in the UK for 3 years immediately prior to their application for Security Clearance. 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.

If you do not meet the above requirement, you may still be considered for the role if, for example:

  • ·        You have been serving overseas with HM Armed Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government.
  • ·        You were studying abroad.
  • ·        You were living overseas with parents.

Additional Information

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com

Please quote the job reference 1005

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). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

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 www.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

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.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.


Contact Information
If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com.

Please quote the job reference 1005

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Delivering at Pace, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
500
Delivering at Pace
Working Together
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
250
A CCAB or equivalent qualification (or part-qualified, close to completion)
Specific qualification requirements
A CCAB or equivalent qualification (or part-qualified, close to completion)

Interview stage assessments

Behaviours
Delivering at Pace
Working Together
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Technical
A CCAB or equivalent qualification (or part-qualified, close to completion)
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.