Part Time Deputyship Finance Assistant in Chelmsford

Please note that this is a Fixed Term Contract / Secondment opportunity for a period of 6 months and is a part-time role, offering 18.5 hours per week (0.5 FTE), worked as a half day each day across 5 mornings (Monday to Friday) per week.

The pro rata salary for the hours worked will be between £12,979.50 and £13,806.50 Per Annum.

This position has the expectation the successful worker will attend County Hall, Chelmsford 2 days per week, Tuesday, and Thursday, in line with the organisations need, with the remaining time allowing for remote working if desired.

Interview date: Thursday 26th November 2026.

To read more about our business area, please visit: Corporate Services

The Opportunity

Essex County Council (ECC) has a vision to make our county a place which provides the best possible quality of life for all who live and work here. One of the key priorities is the protection of vulnerable adults. The deputyship team performs an innovative, exceptional, positive role in achieving this priority.

The Deputyship Team is appointed by The Court of Protection to protect and support the wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable people in the County. Managing all aspects of the property and financial affairs of un-befriended people, who do not have the mental capacity to manage and safeguard their own financial affairs. The Finance Assistant will support the Deputyship Team and their clients to ensure the delivery of a high performing, client facing financial service which proactively embraces change.

Providing quality and accurate financial information, advice, analysis, and interpretation to staff and clients, to underpin effective decision making, meaningful performance management and meet statutory requirements. Aspiring to achieve good client satisfaction levels, to make a real and demonstrable difference to the delivery of Essex Legal Services, the Deputyship Team, and the business of our clients.

Accountabilities

• Provide accurate, quality, and timely financial support and management information to the Deputyship Team and its clients to support and inform decision making.
• Understand client needs and provide them with a service they value, driving the delivery of productivity and efficiency improvement.
• Support senior colleagues in the delivery of all aspects of financial work, including financial processing of payments, receipts, initiating and monitoring automated payments and invoices for fees.
• Responsible for prioritising focus on critical activities and to develop clear actionable schedules or priorities with minimal supervision to enable the tasks to be conducted accurately and within a time critical matter.
• Develops good working relationships across the Service and the Council; to understand the impact the work of the Deputyship Team has on the organisation and the external social and political factors.
• Work collaboratively across the service to contribute to the development of current and future business opportunities, to further the vision of Essex Legal Services.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Experience of financial monitoring with good analytical skills and the ability to find solutions to problems and explain them clearly.
• Experience of accurate data input with high levels of attention to detail.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience and practical application of MS Office suite of programmes and databases.
• Educated to RQF level 2 (GCSE) or equivalent by experience.
• Ability to develop skills and knowledge within role.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we are dedicated to making a positive difference for residents, communities, and businesses across the county. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In March 2026, Greater Essex was accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events, and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email daniel.warner@essex.gov.uk

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