Job summary
In the Department of Health and Social Care, we are proud of our purpose � to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you would like to work in, we would love to hear from you.�
DHSC is responsible for ensuring the healthcare system consistently delivers a high standard of care, and secures the best possible value for money from over �180bn of taxpayer�s funds allocated by Parliament.�
Capital investment is recognised as a key factor to maintain, reconfigure services as well as enabling services changes and driving efficiencies. Investment in NHS infrastructure is one of the key priorities of the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health. �
The Capital Finance Team is responsible for leading on the monitoring and reporting of overall capital spend through management of the in-year Capital Departmental Expenditure Limit (CDEL) position for NHS providers, and forecasting future spend. The team also supports the Department�s strategic and long-term planning of financial systems, together with ensuring that financial systems operate effectively and support the wider financial sustainability of the NHS. A key element of this is meeting public accountability requirements, supporting ministers and ensuring clear reporting to stakeholders and the public.��
Within the team you will be responsible for leading on capital briefing requests and areas of the national capital programmes� management as well as being the finance business partner for the New Hospital Programme (NHP). This will require you to lead on reporting commissions and assist with implementing changes to the capital systems, changes to legislation. �
This team comprises of three Grade 7 roles, each reporting to the Grade 6 head of the team. This vacancy is for one of these Grade 7 roles and has 1 direct report. This role provides good exposure to senior leaders and forming close working relationships with NHS England colleagues and will suit someone who has strong communication skills and considers the wider strategic picture, whilst also ensuring accurate and robust financial controls.
Job description
The job will consist of an initial maternity cover that will consist of:�
1. Leading on briefing requests on capital matters in a timely and high-quality manner, working collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and ensuring compliance with Parliamentary performance requirements. This will involve good drafting skills to prepare responses to PQs (Parliamentary Questions), correspondence, minister�s briefing requests and committee hearings, PAC (Parliament Account Committee). It will require the ability to look across the range of capital activity and associated policy to draw out a strong and coherent strategic narrative in support of the Department�s capital aims.�
2. Ensuring smooth and effective interaction with the Strategy, Policy and the New Hospital Programme teams to ensure full alignment of Parliamentary and stakeholder messaging.�
3. Finance Business Partner for the New Hospital Programme (NHP), including balancing the NHP revenue and capital positions against budgets and supporting the NHP policy and finance team in developing robust reporting processes and ensuring good financial management and control. �
4. Assessing NHS investment programmes and projects, including developing monitoring and reporting on new capital initiatives and preparing briefing for announcements. This will involve high quality analysis and use of evidence as well as strong communication and influencing skills.�
5. Working with NHSE to improve and evolve the NHS capital regime, including the implementation recommendations from reviews (for example The Hewitt Review: an independent review of integrated care systems). �
6. Providing technical advice on capital to policy and other stakeholders including the NHS, applying knowledge of Government budgeting and finance rules.�
7. Leadership and supportive line management, with a strong focus on building capability for all and role modelling the core DHSC values and behaviours.�
Once the maternity cover is over, the postholder will be offered another financial role within the team or directorate where similar skills and experience are required.�
Person specification
This is a challenging role with key responsibilities including: �
8. utilizing strong communication and influencing skills to prepare high-quality briefing documents and ministerial submissions on NHS capital finance, under tight turnaround times, ensuring effective communication with stakeholders�
9. providing cross-cutting and ad hoc support for miscellaneous commissions that span across capital work areas �
10. maintaining the integrity of DHSC capital data and ensuring that core briefing is up-to-date �
11. working collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and ensuring smooth and effective communication and coordination with the different DHSC and NHS England teams�
12. demonstrating leadership skills and driving results by assessing NHS capital investment programmes and schemes from a financial perspective (RDEL and CDEL affordability) and presenting findings in assurance reports for joint DHSC/NHSE committees�
13. participating in strategy work, such as involvement in the Spending review process�
14. showcasing collaborative and excellent interpersonal skills through acting as a finance business partner for certain national programmes: financial monitoring and reporting, identifying risks, providing financial advice, challenging and supporting stakeholders, overviewing the issuance of Memoranda of Understandings and Variation letters and by applying knowledge of government budgeting and finance rules.
Key skills and experience required for the role�
Essential criteria:�
15. Experience of, or an ability to acquire a rapid understanding of, central government finance policies and protocols (for example Managing Public Money, and Consolidated Budgeting Guidance).�
16. Excellent interpersonal skills, with an ability to develop collaborative relationships with a range of stakeholders, across internal teams and NHS England colleagues.�
17. Good communication and written skills to be able to provide clear briefings to senior leaders. Able to communicate at all levels, with excellent presentation skills.�
18. Strong organisational skills with a consistent track record of delivering quality outputs to tight deadlines.�
19. Good data analysis skills � able to analyse and handle data for the purposes of producing evidence for advice. Ability to manipulate data and produce good financial reports and analysis.�
20. Demonstrate high levels of accuracy and excellent attention to detail. �
21. The postholder shall be a qualified CCAB or CIMA accountant, or an analyst or economist with similar levels of financial experience.�
Desirable criteria:�
22. Knowledge of NHS financial systems and/or capital funding.�
23. Experience of successfully applying accounting principles and explaining them with clarity to non-financial colleagues.�
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:�
24. Communicating and Influencing�
25. Seeing the Big Picture�
26. Managing a Quality Service�
27. Working Together�
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
28. Managing a Quality Service
29. Communicating and Influencing
30. Seeing the Big Picture
31. Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
32. Managing a Quality Service
33. Communicating and Influencing
34. Seeing the Big Picture
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �53,116, Department of Health and Social Care contributes �15,387 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
35. Learning and development tailored to your role
36. An environment with flexible working options
37. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
38. A with an employer contribution of
Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds. Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration, and enhancing team working, learning, and support.
You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.
Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need.
There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme 2023-2024. Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements.