9337 - Finance Business Partner - 9337 - Ministry of Justice

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Position Title Finance Business Partner MI

Pay Band SEO

Directorate Finance Strategy and Partnerships

Business Area(s) Finance Strategy and Planning

Reports to Lead Finance Business Partner

Background

The Policy Group has a budget of c£296m, including c£100m income. The group supports development of policy across the MoJ and administers and runs tenders for grants that are awarded to external bodies who support in the delivery of the MoJ's aims. The finance business partnering team supports the group in prudent management of this financial resource, ensuring advice and analysis is available to support decision making, compliance with governance requirements is supported, budgets are understood and adhered to and that key financial principles around managing public money are embedded in the culture of the business group.

Role Purpose

The Finance Business Partner MI reporting reports to a G7 Lead Finance Business Partner and is responsible to that role for the day-to-day delivery of financial reporting and variance analysis of budgets relating to a predefined subset of the total budget based on supporting a few directorates, covering support on non-pay budgets.

The role will advise directors and deputy directors on policy and process, for complex activities, sign posting to the relevant colleague, or escalating to the G7. The SEO will have considerable knowledge and a full understanding of the directorates they support, in terms of budget, forecasts and drivers of variance.

Finance Business Partnering SEOs are responsible for building strong relationships with their directorates, understanding the business, and explaining financial information for budget holders in an understandable manner. For day-to-day issues they will act independently in giving advice and making recommendations to the discrete areas that they support. If the financial implications spread more widely, to the wider MoJ, they will escalate this to the G7.

The FBP teams will work 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 team.

The role will support the Lead Finance Business Partner in ensuring all annual and multi-year financial returns and commissions are completed on time, acting as a key advisor to the directorates they support. They will apply their discretion when advising on how internal processes should be applied to such commissions. In areas of uncertainty in the application of guidance they will apply judgement to develop the best approach to deliver a good output for a particular piece of work.

Main Activities / Responsibilities

SEO FBPs are responsible for supporting several Directorates in the following ways:

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.

The post holder will support the business to manage their budgets effectively, providing challenge to decisions to help provide assurance that decisions being taken by stakeholders are making the most effective use of resources.

Communicating financial data and variance analysis relating to non-pay expenditure in the form of monthly MI packs, and with appropriate support of the Lead FBP, through attendance at appropriate SMTs. Challenging and supporting the business to enhance decision-making and increase performance.

Clearly communicating technical, business and financial information to internal and external stakeholders, using the most appropriate methods.

Proactively identifying gaps in financial knowledge within the business and support the G7 to put in place mechanisms to support the enhancement of financial skills within their business.

Ensuring budgets are updated appropriately, to reflect the operating structure, for different budget iterations, during the year.

Coordinating and as appropriate contributing to completing of commissions that support central financial processes such as annual budget build and the spending review.

Advising on and signposting the business towards appropriate specialists to support the business in ensuring it operates in a way that is process compliant.

Helping to build financial and commercial awareness of non-finance staff within the business.

The post holder will provide routine and 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.

Support the G7 in delivery of responsibilities, deputising for them as appropriate.

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.

Person Specification:

Experience of providing professional finance and corporate services to senior stakeholders and influencing business decisions. Helping to ensure that decisions made deliver value for money.
Experience of building, maintaining and leveraging collaboration networks and partnerships.
Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues in different finance teams across dispersed locations.
Experience of communicating financial information to a non-financial audience.
Experience of applying analytical skills to interpret financial data, draw conclusions and supporting decision making.
Experience of proactively identifying opportunities to enhance service delivery, leading on implementing change and improving outcomes for stakeholders.
Experience of being able to prioritise competing demands from stakeholders, all to tight deadlines.
Experience of supporting budget holders in delivering services in a more efficient way.
Experience of budgeting, forecasting and completing detailed variance analysis.
Experience of delivering regular, timely and accurate financial reports to budget holders.
Experience of training/ developing non-finance staff members on finance best practice and enhancing their commercial awareness.
Experience of providing financial insight to support negotiations with external bodies, including other government departments.
Good working knowledge of Excel.

It is desirable the post holder has:

Experience of Spending Review and annual allocations process within Central Government.
Knowledge of government accounting principles and policies including HMT Managing Public Money, HMT Financial Reporting Manual and HMT Green Book.

We may consider any evidence within the application form that demonstrates meeting the desirable criteria as set out in the job description. This will only be after essential criteria is scored and where there is a need to differentiate between closely scored candidates.

Application process

Sift

You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework.

Experience

You will need to submit a 500-word statement of suitability, providing examples of how your skills and experience align with the person specification as set out in the job description above.
You will need to provide an anonymous CV

Qualification:

You must be fully or part qualified CCAB (or equivalent) or QBE (Qualified by Experience)

Behaviours

Please provide 250 word examples of how you have met each of the following behaviours:

Communicating and Influencing (Lead Behaviour)
Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
Managing a Quality Service

Please refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade:

Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK

If we receive a large number of applications, we will carry out an initial sift on the Statement of Suitability.

Candidates Invited to Interview

Please note that interviews will be carried out remotely via MS Teams. During the interview, we will be assessing you on behaviours (listed above) and Strengths from the Success Profiles framework.

You will also be asked to prepare a 5-minute presentation, details of which to be shared prior to interviews.

Additional Information

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 role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

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

To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

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 watch our animated videos.

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 TBS 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.

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 is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

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

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference: 9337

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference: 9337

Allowance

London £2,500 / National £3,250 - For full members of a professional accountancy body (CCAB or CIMA)

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours

Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit

250

Communicating and Influencing

Making Effective Decisions

Working Together

Managing a Quality Service

Experience

We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods

CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Statement of Suitability

Guidance for the Statement of Suitability

Please provide examples of how your skills and experience align with the person specification as set out in the job description.

Evidence of Experience

CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Technical

Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit

250

Specific qualification requirements

You must be fully or part qualified CCAB (or equivalent) or qualified by experience (QBE)

Ministry of Justice

9337 - Finance Business Partner

General Information

Descriptions & requirements

Job Description Attachment

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Application form stage assessments

Interview stage assessments

Other Assessments