About the job Job summary The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. The British Army comprises of 112,000 experienced, committed and highly skilled Regular and Reserve soldiers, protecting the United Kingdoms interests at home and abroad, providing a safe and secure environment supported by the civilian workforce. The Army is commanded from the Army Headquarters Andover and the Chief of the General Staff has the responsibility for preparing, training, and equipping the forces under his command for operations worldwide. You will be part of this by crafting the future of the Army Finance function. The Director Resources is responsible for planning and leading the Army TLB and ensuring that decisions at the highest level of the Army are taken with full understanding of their financial implications. We will provide you with an exciting and worthwhile career supporting the Armed Services and will actively encourage and support further training and development. Management Reporting is responsible for reporting the financial position at strategic level for the business area(s) they support to provide insight and highlight the key issues, risks and opportunities to the Business and Finance Leadership team. Continually checking to ensure that the management reporting meets end user needs and is presented to best convey key messages using continuous improvement principles. Ensuring that financial reporting is accurately completed both within corporate reporting systems and for input of accounting entries to support decision making. Please be advised that the Army is conducting a review of its current Finance Operating Model. At the time of advertisement this post is deemed to have an enduring requirement and it is not anticipated that this post will be likely to change in the immediate future, however, is in scope of the ongoing review. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Job description We are currently recruiting for an experienced individual to lead the delivery of Field Army Higher Level Budget (HLB) Financial Operations, ensuring that Financial Operations is effective and complementary of other finance processes. The post-holder's technical knowledge, insight, and ability to work constructively with people at all grades will make them a valued contributor to the decision-making process and a champion for change. The post-holder will need to establish and develop effective working relationships with contributing teams and individuals across the Army and wider Finance Profession. This is a challenging role, and responsibilities will include: Oversee team priorities and resourcing Use insight and MI to effectively manage performance in a specific area of finance operations Managing core finance operations e.g. Accounting Systems, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Payroll in an efficient and effective manner Responsibility for ensuring sufficient monitoring tools are in place to highlight and eliminate financial control weaknesses, working with control owners as necessary Developing and implementing appropriate policies and procedures for change control, in compliance with government standards Effectively managing internal control and delivery risks with emphasis on customer service Providing intelligent analysis of complex financial information, drawing out common themes and understanding linkages and dependencies Ensuring all business areas have adequate support, monitoring against the agreed service provision and flexing team members to fill any temporary gaps, as required Ensuring all required information is provided, outputs are accurate and meet the expected standards. This applies in relation to: Standardised reports / dashboards for monthly financial reviews and ABC screenings highlighting areas of concern to the relevant Finance Business Partner to discuss with their Business area(s) Input of budget profiles, In Year reporting and ABC information into corporate reporting systems, consistently achieved across all business areas for all aspects Producing standardised templates / forms for recurring requests, advising what information is required and enabling efficient review Financial approval of low value items, such as working functions, training, and professional subscriptions. Ensuring compliance with the relevant processes and policies and that an appropriate procurement route is utilised Continuously strive to improve the service provision, promptly addressing issues and ensuring that processes or ways of working are adapted, and customers are informed where there is an impact Managing the input and support to change programmes, where there is an impact to how your team will provide their services Management of team members, empowering, motivating, and coaching to enable effective delivery Developing and embedding the use of standardised processes to deliver a consistent output to customers Making all major decisions affecting direction and execution of work within the area of responsibility, referring upwards where decisions relate to significant issues of policy, resource allocation or management of work area Person specification To be successful in the role, it is essential that you can demonstrate: Experience of leading a team with excellent people management skills with the ability to promote team cohesion, adapt to changes and improvements Experience in leading and/or influencing organisational change Ability to work flexible and adapt to changing priorities Strong communicator, able to communicate at all levels and excellent presentation skills Ability to develop collaborative relationships with a range of stakeholders and teams Highly developed planning and organisational skills in a financial environment and experience of delivery and meeting tight deadlines Essential Skills: Qualified with CCAB, CIMA or equivalent or working towards qualification and experience in relevant strategic/policy roles with clear evidence of strong numeric ability Experience of leading a team with excellent people management skills with the ability to promote team cohesion, adapt to changes and improvements Ability to work flexible and adapt to changing priorities Qualifications Qualified with CCAB, CIMA or equivalent or working towards qualification and experience in relevant strategic/policy roles with clear evidence of strong numeric ability Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Changing and Improving Making Effective Decisions Communicating and Influencing Seeing the Big Picture Leadership Delivering at Pace We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Changing and Improving Making Effective Decisions Communicating and Influencing Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Finance Competence Framework: Competence 4 In Year Financial Management. Benefits Alongside your salary of 59,690, Ministry of Defence contributes 17,292 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance. Other benefits for Army civil servants include: 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years service Highly competitive pension scheme Personal and professional development of skills Alternative working patterns for many roles Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Enhanced parental and adoption leave 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities Learning and Development opportunities tailored to your role We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role. A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career. We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspaces will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuring you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently we expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation. However, recognising the benefits of face to face working, there is an expectation that you would be in the office at least 60% of the time (3 days a week). The post does not offer relocation expenses. External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period. Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts. Any move to MOD 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 at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments. MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. 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. At application you will be asked to complete a Civil Service Verbal and Numerical reasoning test. You will then need to provide a CV and a personal statement of no more than 750 words detailing your suitability for the role against the person specification and job description. At sift, you will be assessed against your CV, Statement of suitability and the following Success Profiles Behaviours: Changing and Improving Making an Effective Decisions Communicating and influencing When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected. At interview you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours: Communicating and Influencing Seeing the Bigger Picture Leadership Delivering at Pace At interview you will also be assed on your technical skills under the Finance Competence Framework, Competence 4 - In Year Financial Management - modgovuk.sharepoint.com/sites/IntranetFinanceHub/Shared Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id%2Fsites%2FIntranetFinanceHub%2FShared Documents%2FFinance Competence Framework 2022.pdf&parent%2Fsites%2FIntranetFinanceHub%2FShared Documents&ptru Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed but these will be held in person at Army Headquarters Andover. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3mod.gov.uk. As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn. Candidates will be required to complete an online Numerical test. Should you be invited to complete the online tests, please allow sufficient time to complete the tests and the remainder of the full application form; only candidates who are successful at the test stage will be invited to complete the remainder of the application by clicking Submit Application. Your application must be completed by 23:55 on the closing date of the vacancy. Late submissions cannot be accepted. The tests are not timed, as they work by giving you harder questions if you answer the previous question correctly, and easier if you get it wrong. You should allow up to an hour for each test, and each test must be completed before you will be invited to complete the second part of your application. Internet access will be required for the duration of the test. Please refer to the attached Candidate Guidance for further information. Candidates that reach the minimum required pass mark will have their results saved as a banked score against the following tests: New Civil Service Numerical Test When a candidate has a banked score theyre not asked to re-take the same test providing it is set at the same level. Scores will be banked for a 6 month period from the date of test completion. If a candidate is invited to take the same test against multiple vacancies, the banked score will be recognised against all vacancies and all active applications will progress. If you require any particular arrangements (for example due to a disability or health problem) to be made in order for you to complete the online test you MUST contact the DBS Enquiry Centre on 0800 345 7772 BEFORE accessing the online test. Opening times Mon - Friday 0800 - 1600 hrs. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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 theCivil 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. 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 : Rachel Hick Email : Rachel.Hick855mod.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3mod.gov.uk Online test instructions Please be advised that the online tests are not timed. Further information Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: infocsc.gov.uk.