At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage financial planning and budgets for the Defence Section in Australia.
- Company: Join the British Government, a diverse and inclusive employer committed to equality.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 12% superannuation, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Be part of a high-performing team with a strategic role in UK-Australia relations.
- Qualifications: Self-starter with an accounting background and strong problem-solving skills required.
- Other info: Opportunities for learning and development within a supportive work environment.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 75000 £ per year.
AUS (Canberra) – Ministry of Defence (MOD) Finance Manager, EO
Recruiter HM Government
Location United Kingdom
Salary AUD 94,773.00 per annum + 12% superannuation
View Vacancy – AUS (Canberra) – Ministry of Defence (MOD) Finance Manager, EO
The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.
Job Category
Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
Job Subcategory
MOD (Ministry of Defence)
Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
Main purpose of job:
The MOD Finance Manager is primarily responsible for the financial planning and management of a busy and high-profile Defence Section with country and regional responsibilities. The position is also the subject matter expert when advising on administration and allowances of British Military personnel working within the British High Commission, embedded in the Australian Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force, which has approximately 90 serving military and defence civilian personnel at any one time along with their families. The position reports directly to two senior officers in the Defence Section and has line-management responsibility for one subordinate administrator.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:
- Imprest Management. Account operator, responsible for the running of the British Defence Liaison Staff (BDLS) and British Defence Staff (BDS) delegated budgets in accordance with current regulations.
- Manage a budget with various accounts totalling circa £450K and a local Imprest account, with a turnover of £1,500,000.
- Manage the delegated budgets, advising the Defence Adviser of the quarterly targets, under and overspends.
- Manage the MOD\’s online financial database \’ESCAPADE\’, working closely with the BDLS/BDS Advisers to ensure entries are completed in a timely manner and are accurate to the agreed budget.
- Subject Matter Expert (SME) for MOD allowances.
- Advise BDLS/BDS and Exchange Officers of allowances in accordance with current regulations.
- Process claims in a timely manner.
- Work closely with the MOD Human Resources Administration Officer to keep the arrivals and departure brief up to date in accordance with current regulations.
- Liaise with the Department of Home Affairs on special case visas.
- Prepare monthly financial reports as part of the monthly close down procedure and send to the UK.
- Liaise with the Global Admin Unit (GAU) based in the UK for pay and allowance queries.
- Cover aspects of the Office Manager\’s role in periods of absence.
- Other tasks as directed by the Office Manager and Air & Space Adviser.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
Delegated Budget Manager.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
- Self-Starter; must be able to work at a fast pace to a high standard.
- Accounting background; training will also be provided.
- Must be able to take initiative using judgement, strong problem-solving skills, and displaying resilience.
- Excellent interpersonal skills – ability to deal with difficult situations with tact, empathy and diplomacy and a high degree of confidentiality when required to achieve desired outcomes.
- Strong, proven administrative skills with an eye for detail and accuracy.
- Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.
- Good desk research skills and excellent writing skills.
- High level experience using Microsoft Office.
- Experience with OneDrive and SharePoint.
Language requirements:
Language: English
Level of language required: Fluent, both oral and written.
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
- Previous experience working in a government department or military environment.
- Administrative, HR and financial qualifications.
Required behaviours
Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together
Application deadline
20 August 2025
Grade
Executive Officer (EO)
Type of Position
Full-time, Permanent
Working hours per week
38
Region
Asia Pacific
Country/Territory
Australia
Location (City)
Canberra
Type of Post
British High Commission
Number of vacancies
1
Salary Currency
AUD
Salary
AUD 94,773.00 per annum + 12% superannuation
Type of Salary
yearly
Start Date
29 September 2025
Other benefits and conditions of employment
Salary is at AU$ 94,773 per annum (paid out monthly), plus 12% superannuation and annual leave loading.
Appointment is subject to an AFP records check and UK security clearance.
Open to Australian citizens, and New Zealand, Canada, UK, or US passport holders who hold a valid visa with permission to work and reside in Australia (this also includes dependants of UK based diplomatic officers posted to Australia). Due to the role responsibilities and requirements, the successful applicant must be capable of achieving SC(O) level clearance. Applicants must possess the appropriate passport and visa as part of the pre-employment requirements. Please note that achieving SC(O) clearance may take about 8 weeks.
Staff recruited locally by the British Consulate General and its Consulates is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Australian employment law. Interstate applicants will be required to meet their own travel and relocation expenses.
The British Government supports flexible working practices for all employees. Within the Australia Network of posts, employees are supported by the Flexible Working Policy. Any flexible working arrangement is to be agreed between the line manager and successful candidate.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
The Australia network offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities, including job-specific training as necessary and broader learning linked to the FCO Diplomatic Academy.
There are opportunities to job-shadow other staff, and the successful applicant will be encouraged to take part in broader British Consulate General activities.
The British Consulate General is committed to providing all staff with learning and development (L&D) opportunities and we will work with you to develop your own L&D plan.
Working Patterns:
The jobholder will be expected to work full-time in the High Commission office though some flexibility can be agreed on timings and expectations.
The overall package includes the standard 14 days of public holidays that the UK in Australia Network works to as well as 22 days annual leave.
Any other information (or specific local post requirements):
This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a high-performing team in the British High Commission, managing Defence personnel embedded across Australia, delivering an increasingly important strategic relationship. The Defence Section is made up of a mixture of military and civilian staff. For the right person, this post offers a fascinating and rewarding insight into UK, cross-government and Defence business.
Advertised start date is provisional and subject to completion of reference and security checks.
Additional information
The FCDO also operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.
Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.\”
Your application must be submitted before 23:55 AEST-Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC/ GMT +10) on the day mentioned in the above field \”Application deadline\”
Applications must include a current CV. Kindly omit any personal information such as name, birthdate, address and contact #.
All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a \’reserve list\’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate\”.
Advertised start date is provisional and subject to completion of reference and security checks.
Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and building a culturally diverse workplace. We actively encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Our culture of inclusion is underpinned by our excellent staff networks which cover disability, faith and belief, gender equality, social mobility, age, race, LGBT+, and how to be an ally.
Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.
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AUS (Canberra) - Ministry of Defence (MOD) Finance Manager, EO employer: HM Government
Contact Detail:
HM Government Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land AUS (Canberra) - Ministry of Defence (MOD) Finance Manager, EO
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the financial regulations and procedures specific to the Ministry of Defence. Understanding these guidelines will not only help you in the role but also demonstrate your commitment and preparedness during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the British High Commission or the MOD. They can provide valuable insights into the work culture and expectations, which can be beneficial for your application and interview preparation.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your knowledge of budget management and financial reporting tools, especially those used within government settings. Being able to discuss your familiarity with these tools can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to showcase your problem-solving skills through real-life examples. The role requires resilience and initiative, so having specific instances ready where you've successfully navigated challenges will highlight your suitability for the position.
We think you need these skills to ace AUS (Canberra) - Ministry of Defence (MOD) Finance Manager, EO
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Finance Manager position. Make sure you understand the key responsibilities and required skills, as this will help you tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect the qualifications and experiences that align with the role. Emphasise your accounting background, financial management experience, and any relevant administrative skills that demonstrate your suitability for the position.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that outlines your motivation for applying and how your skills match the job requirements. Use specific examples from your past experiences to illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Follow Application Instructions: Ensure you complete the online application form in full, including all required details about your employment history and educational background. Pay attention to the deadline and submit your application before 23:55 AEST on the specified date.
How to prepare for a job interview at HM Government
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of the Finance Manager role. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences align with managing budgets, financial planning, and advising on allowances for military personnel.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Given the fast-paced nature of the role, be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully navigated challenges in previous positions. Highlight your ability to make effective decisions under pressure, as this is crucial for the MOD Finance Manager.
✨Demonstrate Interpersonal Skills
The role requires excellent interpersonal skills, so prepare to discuss situations where you've dealt with difficult circumstances with tact and diplomacy. This will show your potential employer that you can handle sensitive matters with confidentiality and professionalism.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Regulations
As a subject matter expert on MOD allowances, it's important to have a good grasp of current regulations. Research any relevant policies and be ready to discuss how you would apply them in your role, demonstrating your proactive approach to staying informed.