Financial Control Advisor (Qualified)

FACT Team Member

• Provide expert advice and guidance on Managing Public Money (MPM) and delegated authorities, by referring to Policy/guidance, any precedents.

• Work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues to ensure new proposals are consistent with MPM requirements and work with the business to develop and assure advice for the DWP Accounting Officer (Permanent Secretary).

• Work with the business and FG teams to develop submissions for HMT approval on matters relating to MPM and delegated authorities, ensuring the full range of financial implications have been considered.

• Develop and deliver training to address identified financial control issues and raise awareness of financial controls.

• Undertake assigned activities to provide assurance on key financial controls and, where appropriate, work with colleagues to improve controls.

• Take a lead on key elements of the Finance Manual ensuring it is maintained and impacted with changes in line with Managing Public Money and internal DWP financial policies.

Hybrid working

This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need, but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

This role can be worked in the UK only.

Places for Growth and Social Mobility

As part of the Places for Growth Programme, we are committed to delivering a more geographically diverse Civil and Public Service that will better serve the public and ministers. As part of this initiative, we are continuously reviewing how we recruit into each location.

Person specification

The ideal candidate for this role will be able to demonstrate the following essential criteria, We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing

• Seeing the Big Picture

• Making Effective Decisions, As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a Personal Statement of no more than 1250 words demonstrating how you meet each of the Essential Criteria.

The sift panel will use your Personal Statement to assess your skills and experience against the essential criteria listed for this position.

In the event of a large number of applications we will use the Lead Criteria, Experience of providing expert advice and guidance on complex financial issues, to senior leaders by referring to published government guidance, delegated authorities and any precedents, to initially assess your application during the Sift stage. Candidates who pass the initial Sift may be progressed to a full Sift.

Interview stage:

If you have been successful in sift stage, you will be invited to an online interview via Microsoft Teams. You will need to produce evidence of ID at the video interview.

The interview will take a blended approach, and you will be assessed against the behaviours outlined in the job advert, as well as strength-based questions. You will also be asked to deliver a 5 minute presentation at interview, followed by any questions the panel may have. The subject will be sent to candidates who pass the sift stage and are invited to interview.

Further information will be provided to those who are invited to interview and feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Application sift is planned to be carried out WC: 11 November 2024.

Interviews are planned to be carried out WC: 2 December 2024.

Please be advised that the above dates are indicative only and are subject to change.

Further Information

Find out more about Working for DWP

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to DWP 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

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

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 applicant s 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.

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP’s terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.

Reasonable Adjustment

At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:Contact Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the Reasonable Adjustments 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 you re 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.

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.

• You must hold a full chartered level professional qualification awarded by a UK-recognised accountancy body: CIMA, ICAEW, ACCA, CIPFA, ICAS and Chartered Accountants Ireland. In addition, we accept applications from candidates with a chartered level international qualification where a reciprocal agreement exists with the ICAEW or where the criteria of the ICAEW Pathways programme are met.

• Experience of providing expert advice and guidance on complex financial issues, to senior leaders by referring to published government guidance, delegated authorities and any precedents. (Lead Criteria)

• Experience of developing and delivering training including to senior leaders to address identified financial control issues and raise awareness of financial controls.

• The ability to work effectively with and influence senior stakeholders, demonstrating excellent communication skills and evidence of improving and enhancing finance processes with a track record of supporting good decision making through high quality analysis.

• Application of professional accountancy standards within a complex public or private sector environment.

• Evidence of ability to deal with competing priorities whilst maintaining day to day activities and working to tight deadlines., You must hold a full chartered level professional qualification awarded by a UK-recognised accountancy body: CIMA, ICAEW, ACCA, CIPFA, ICAS and Chartered Accountants Ireland. In addition, we accept applications from candidates with a chartered level international qualification where a reciprocal agreement exists with the ICAEW or where the criteria of the ICAEW Pathways programme are met.

Alongside your salary, the Department for Work and Pensions contributes 28.97% towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We also have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.

• Generous annual leave at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.

• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.

• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).

• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year s continuous service.

• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.

• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

Peel Park, Brunel Way, Blackpool, FY4 5ES

3 Arena Central, Bridge Street, Birmingham, B1 2AX

Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UA

2 St Peter s Square, Manchester, M2 3AA

Benton Park View, Longbenton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE98 1YX

Hartshead Square, Sheffield S1 2FD, + Email : FINANCIAL.CONTROLANDPOLICYTEAM@DWP.GOV.UK

Recruitment team

• Email : dwprecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission s Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DWP by email: HR.BUSINESSASSURANCE@DWP.GOV.UK.