Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Cardiff, Wales, CF10 1EP : Edinburgh, Scotland, EH8 8FT : Leicester, East Midlands (England), LE4 5SP : Didcot, South East England, OX11 0DF About the job Job summary Background: The UK Space Agency: The UK Space Agency (UKSA) is an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) and provides technical advice on the governments space strategy, supporting the UK space sector to deliver the governments vision. Space is a part of everyday life. Satellites underpin our national economy, from agriculture and banking to aviation and shipping, and support our national security. Space science provides critical data to understand and address global challenges such as climate change, while missions to explore our solar system unite nations and advance humanitys horizons. We support a thriving space sector in the UK, which generates an annual income of £16.5 billion and employs 47,000 people across the country. Through our portfolio of programmes and projects, we encourage the development of national space capabilities and are an early-stage investor in space research and development. We also promote the UK space sectors interests and achievements; make connections to join up industry and academia; and represent the UK in international space programmes. We have a powerful global voice, partnering with institutions across the world, including the European Space Agency. More information about the Agency is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency To discover more please watch this film https://www.youtube.com/watch?vZbZZ-o0IkVU Our Inclusive Environment We have an inclusive culture to make UK Space Agency a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions. We offer first-class flexible working benefits, excellent employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive. We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion. Job description Our Finance Directorate is changing, were undergoing a transformation to ensure were helping support and shape the direction of the Agency in the future. Were working towards a vision of being Trusted experts at the heart of the agencys decisions making; catalysing delivery, not just keeping score. The Financial Control Teams remit covers 2 key areas; Financial Accounting and Financial Control and Counter Fraud. The role holder will focus in one of these areas. The role holder will ensure delivery of a high standard financial accounting and control function, including counter fraud. Working with colleagues across the Agency to build a robust financial control environment and ensure it is maintained and iterated. They will champion a culture of financial control and mitigation of counter fraud risk across the organisation, including developing policies and training. They will be a part of the wider Finance Directorate Leadership Team, ensuring the support and development of teams across the directorate. Including a commitment to continuous improvement, automation and efficiency. Key Responsibilities: Managing the production, including appropriate management review and escalation where necessary, of; The annual report and accounts, including the narrative sections of the document, as well as the financial statements; The Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) submission Acting as a subject expert, providing technical accounting advice in line with IFRS and the financial reporting manual (FReM) and other relevant Government guidance documents Analysing current processes to identify and implement ways to improve processes and financial control Be the subject matter expert on controls and maintain a robust level of financial controls Liaising with external audit over the audit period to ensure smooth progression of the ARA to meet the laying timetable Managing the UKSBS relationship and ensuring the quality of the ledger Regularly review and assess the performance of UKSBS, addressing any issues and ensuring high standards of service. Maintaining finance policies e.g. T&S, expenses and ensuring were assuring ourselves around compliance Creating and supporting a technical centre of excellence Preparation of the Financial Sections of the Annual Report and preparation of the accounts Preparing the hedges calculations for DSITs Main Estimate and Supplementary Estimate process Working closely with the Public Sector Fraud Authority and departmental stakeholders to ensure that were updating our counter fraud policies and practices to stay aligned Ensuring were compliant with GovS standard 13: Counter Fraud and conducting a yearly review on this To advise colleagues on the management of fraud and abuse of taxpayer support through well designed policies and lessons learnt from the post assurance activities. Leading a programme of counter-fraud awareness-raising and training events, guidance materials, use of internal/external communications and culture change activities. Leading on updating and designing the Counter Fraud Strategy Leading on the work to develop and implement policies, procedures and action plans to manage potential for fraud, bribery and corruption. Person specification The desired candidate will have: Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to put complex financial issues into layman's terms for non-specialist audiences. Ability to react to change and manage emerging priorities to tight deadlines, respond to varying situations in a professional manner. Empower their team to make decisions and have open conversations to lead improvement. Ability to develop collaborative relationships with key stakeholders e.g. Strategic Finance, Finance Business Partners, Network Bodies, External Audit. Ability to manage a team and coach staff ensuring all professional training and developments requirements are met. Essential Strong technical accounting background Proven experience managing the preparation of accounts and financial statements. Familiarity with financial software and ERP systems used for financial reporting and ledger management. Experience in developing financial controls and/or counter fraud measures Good verbal and written communication skills Ability to present financial information clearly and confidently to various audiences, including senior management and external auditors. Working at pace Desirable Experience in Government accounting Experience in public sector organisations Experience in leading and managing change within an organisation, particularly in relation to financial processes and systems Experience in managing financial projects or initiatives, particularly those related to financial reporting or audit processes Experience of auditing Qualifications Qualified with CCAB, CIMA or equivalent Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Delivering at Pace Changing and Improving Managing a Quality Service Communicating and Influencing We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Delivering at Pace Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Technical Accounting Controls; Please explain how you would identify and address control weaknesses in your organisation. Please explain the risks of not doing so including any fraud risks. Can you talk about your experience of producing the annual report and accounts? Can you explain your experience of designing and building controls and policies and how this has helped towards preventing fraud? We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form: Technical Accounting Controls; Please explain how you would identify and address control weaknesses in your organisation. Please explain the risks of not doing so including any fraud risks. Benefits Alongside your salary of £54,415, UK Space Agency contributes £15,764 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. UK Space Agency offers a competitive mix of benefits including: A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours. Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27% A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30. An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue. Access to a range of retail, travel, and lifestyle employee discounts. A generous maternity/paternity and adoption leave package. This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (your permanent duty station which is based on business assessment of where the work is best done) and working from home, or elsewhere, as a personal choice (if the role is suitable for this). If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, Personal Statement (maximum 500 words), Behaviour examples (maximum 250 words each) and a number of Technical Skills. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. The CV is for information purposes only and will not be scored. Please use your personal statement to include the skills and experiences you have that make you suitable for this role. The Sift will be assessed on Personal Statement, Behaviours and Technical Skills. The Interview will be assessed on Behaviours, Technical Skills and Presentation. There will be a 5 minutes presentation for those invited to interview and should address any one of the below, Technical Accounting - Please provide an example of when you have implemented a change to accounting rules for your organisation. You should include evidence of the impacts to the organisation and how you ensured compliance with the accounting framework. Controls - Please explain how you would identify and address control weaknesses in your organisation. Please explain the risks of not doing so including any fraud risks. Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour Delivering at Pace. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview. Sift and interview dates Expected Timeline subject to change The sift is expected to take place week commencing 10/02/2025. Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 24/02/2025. Interview location: MS teams. Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process. After interview, a single merit list will be created and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order. Further information This post is advertised as a permanent Contract. UK Space Agency Employees: You must seek approval from your substantive manager before applying for any non-permanent vacancy, this includes applying for a new post during an existing temporary posting. Please note that if applying for a temporary post within UK Space Agency or elsewhere on promotion, successful appointment will not automatically result in a permanent promotion - you will revert to your current substantive grade at the end of the Fixed Term or Loan period (unless funding has been approved to make the post permanent). Reasonable Adjustment If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via uksarecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional. If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out. Any move to UK Space Agency from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ A reserve list will be held for a period of 9 months from which further appointments can be made. Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms directly. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checkscabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Infodisclosurescotland.co.uk. Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. Feedback Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements 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) 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) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and 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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Ritah Alim Email : ritah.alimukspaceagency.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : uksarecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk Further information Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commissions Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance UKSARecruitment.GRScabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints Attachments UKSA Terms and Conditions Opens in new window (doc, 72kB) JD - G7 Senior Financial Accountant FINAL Opens in new window (docx, 72kB) Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail