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.�
The Department�s Capital and Investment Directorate is responsible for the management of the NHS capital budget and delivery on a range of major capital programmes across the Department and NHS. The work of our directorate is to ensure the healthcare system makes better use of capital investment as part of enabling service changes and driving efficiencies, as well as being a key factor in maintaining services and meeting new service demands. In addition to delivering financial balance against the parliamentary controls set for capital, strategic and long-term planning, we also cover a wide range of areas of capital policy, such as the NHS estate and technology.�
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.�
This team comprises of three Grade 7 roles, each reporting to the Grade 6 lead for the team. This vacancy is for one of these Grade 7 roles, leading a team of two SEOs on reporting the in-year capital position and issuing funding directly to NHS providers. This role provides good exposure to senior leaders and forming close working relationships with NHS England colleagues and will suit someone who can both consider the wider strategic picture, whilst also ensuring accurate and robust financial control in the allocation of capital funds.�
Job description
As Section Head for the NHS Capital Spending team, you will be responsible for leading on monitoring the in-year NHS CDEL and cash positions, reporting to HMT monthly and summarising for senior leadership and Ministers. �
This will involve working closely with NHS England, DHSC Group Reporting colleagues, and capital programme leads, along with drawing on a wide range of information and data, including forecasts, arising risks and opportunities, and existing HMT conditions, in your support of senior leader decision-making on the in-year CDEL position.�
As part of the role, you will lead on tracking conditions placed by HMT on NHS capital funding and reporting to senior leaders on progress against meeting these. You will also take a leading role on reporting to HMT quarterly on progress against the NHS capital portfolio.�
In this role you will also support fiscal events, such as Supplementary Supply Estimates, and Spending Reviews, and monitoring and communicating any changes to the NHS CDEL budgetary position with stakeholders.�
The NHS Capital Spending team also lead on the control and issuing of capital funds via Public Dividend Capital (PDC) to NHS trusts for nationally funded programmes. This requires robust processes for the control and issuing of funding to be in place, and adhered to, ensuring propriety of taxpayer funds. You will oversee this process to ensure that a smooth and efficient service continues to be delivered for programme teams and NHS providers.�
This is a challenging role with key responsibilities including:���
1. Monitoring and reporting NHS provider in-year capital expenditure forecasts, evaluating potential pressures and risks, and summarising for senior management and HM Treasury.��
2. Providing accurate, definitive, and timely advice and insight on the capital position to inform decision making to ensure the NHS expenditure is contained within agreed spending limits.�
3. Lead the financial management of Public Dividend Capital award programmes, including the recording and issuing of financial agreements.�
4. Forecasting and monitoring progress of NHS providers� in-year cash requirement.�
5. Provide expert technical advice on capital to policy and other finance colleagues, and other stakeholders including the NHS.��
6. Contribute to the delivery of the final capital outturn and reporting this in the Department�s Annual Report and Accounts.�
7. Leading on production of quarterly updates to HMT on the overall NHS capital position.�
8. Tracking and reporting progress against HMT capital funding conditions.�
9. Analysing and interpreting both current and historical data to support forecast accuracy and intel.�
10. Overseeing team�s contribution to statutory documents including the Financial Assistance under Section 40 report, NHSE financial directions, and production of Control Resource Limit (CRL) letters.�
11. Line management of two SEOs, empowering, motivating, and coaching the team to enable effective delivery.�
12. Contribute to the running of the branch and where appropriate the cross-cutting business of the Capital and Finance Directorates and Department.�
Person specification
�Key skills and experience required for the role�
�Essential criteria:�
13. 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).�
14. Excellent interpersonal skills, with an ability to develop collaborative relationships with a range of stakeholders, across internal teams and NHS England colleagues.�
15. 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.�
16. Strong organisational skills with a consistent track record of delivering quality outputs to tight deadlines.�
17. 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.�
18. Demonstrate high levels of accuracy and excellent attention to detail.��
19. Proficient in Microsoft Excel.�
20. The postholder shall be either a qualified CCAB or CIMA accountant, or an analyst or economist with similar levels of financial experience.�
Desirable criteria:�
21. Knowledge of NHS financial systems and/or capital funding.�
22. Experience of communicating financial performance and management information for decision makers and advising on associated opportunities and risks.�
23. Experience of successfully applying accounting principles and explaining them with clarity to non-financial colleagues.�
24. Experience of leading and motivating a team and working credibly and effectively with senior staff.�
25. Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing priorities.�
�We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:�
26. Communicating and Influencing�
27. Seeing the Big Picture�
28. Managing a Quality Service�
29. Working Together�
Prior to your interview, we will contact you about a task that the interview panel would like you to complete as part of the assessment. The exact details will be communicated to you nearer the time.�
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
30. Managing a Quality Service
31. Communicating and Influencing
32. Seeing the Big Picture
33. Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
34. Managing a Quality Service
35. Communicating and Influencing
36. Seeing the Big Picture
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
37. Prior to your interview, we will contact you about this task that the interview panel would like you to complete as part of the assessment. The exact details will be communicated to you nearer the time.
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.
38. Learning and development tailored to your role
39. An environment with flexible working options
40. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
41. 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.