We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.
Job Title/ Position
Finance Business Partner: Public Sector Prisons
Band/Grade
SEO
Number of Vacancies
1
Business Group
MOJ Finance
Directorate
FBP Group
Location
North East of England see postcodes below
Hours
37
Working Pattern
Permanent
Reports to
Lead Finance Business Partner - Prisons (North East & Womens Directorate)
Overview
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for the provision of legal aid, administration of justice through courts and tribunals, and detention and rehabilitation of offenders. Within the MoJ you will provide Finance Business Partnering to senior business leaders responsible for delivery of prison services in England. Our business colleagues operating within Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (an Agency within the MoJ), are highly committed professionals who seek to protect the public and rehabilitate offenders.
More information can be found at: www.justice.gov.uk
There is one Band B, Prison, Finance Business Partnering role available within the Finance Business Partnering Group supporting Public Sector Prisons.
As a Finance Business Partner, you will be a key member of the finance team, working with other members of the team, wider MoJ Finance colleagues and key stakeholder from the Business Area we support.
You will provide support to the North East of England geographical group, which contains the following prisons:
HMPYOI Deerbolt (DL12 9BG)
HMP Durham (DH1 3HU)
HMP Holme House (TS18 2QU)
HMP Kirklevington (TS15 9PA)
Regular travel to and from prison sites will be required (typically one to two days per week)
You will support the Governor and their teams in specific prisons as well as working flexibly across the region to support the Strategic Finance Lead as required. Postcodes have been included for your reference and location will be discussed at interview.
Role Purpose
As a Finance Business Partner, you will need to understand the prison business area that you support and the way they operate in a prison environment. You will build trust with decision makers so that your advice is actively sought.
You will be the financial advisor to a range of operational colleagues. You will need a clear understanding of the financial management arrangements of the MoJ – from budget setting to in year control and support to the financial accounts as necessary. You may be required to help develop business cases or to help demonstrate value for money. At all times you will be upholding the integrity of financial management in the public sector and the need to ensure value for money for the taxpayer.
You will have a level of authority and respect to proactively influence decision making and help drive continuous improvement. You will be a trusted adviser to stakeholders, providing support and independent challenge.
This role will build on your experience of finance fundamentals and provide the opportunity to help in managing finances within Public Sector Prisons.
Responsibilities
The job holder will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities;
- Budget management – work with budget holders to develop robust budget plans and monitor delivery
- Risks and issues – identify and monitor budget risks and opportunities, supporting stakeholders to develop mitigating actions
- Reporting – to be able to translate financial information to non-finance stakeholders, providing the narrative behind the numbers to influence decision making
- Governance – understand and be able to advise on governance and compliance issues
Key responsibilities
You may find the table format below useful as it is clear however, feel free to use you own format in this section and delete the table below.
Stakeholder engagement
Develop and maintain strong partnerships with key stakeholders. Help improve their financial awareness and provide accurate and credible advice on financial management and wider governance issues. Actively contribute at business meetings and be proactive in looking for efficiency.
Financial management
Co-ordinate your business area’s annual financial planning activity and provide information and advice to support effective financial control in year. Present and explain financial information clearly and offer advice to inform decision making. Understand the cost drivers of the business and carry out analysis of information to improve efficiency and understanding.
Service Delivery
Deliver high quality outcomes to meet stakeholder needs and give value for money. Identify risks and resolve issues efficiently
Critical Friend to the business
You will feel confident to challenge business colleagues on their spending plans and keep a focus on outcomes and business priorities. Give advice to support decision making, encouraging options analysis and appropriate governance. Use your insight to add value.
Travel
Post location is flexible within each region. It is expected that each successful candidate will live within reasonable travel distance of their prisons (Generally travel of 1-2hours) in their region and will be expected to visit in person on average once or twice a month.
The successful candidate will be appointed to either one of the locations specified in the advert or, if nearer to their home, an alternative MoJ office location in the region which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed upon completion of pre-employment checks.
The post holder is expected to meet their own travel costs to and from their base location. If required to attend a location other than their base location, post-holders may be entitled to claim some or all of any extra expense (beyond the usual base location travel costs) in line with the T&S policy.
Key skills and knowledge
- Excellent financial management skills and a proven ability to apply them effectively
- High credibility with senior colleagues and stakeholders and the ability to influence decision-making
- The ability to analyse and communicate financial information in a clear and understandable way
Civil Service Behaviours
The following Civil Service Behaviours are essential to this post and will be assessed upon application:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Please refer to the Civil Service Behaviours Framework, which can be found here, to complete this application: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf
Professional Competencies / Requirements
- Qualified under one of the main five Consultative Committees of Accounting Bodies [CCAB] i.e. ACCA; CIPFA; ICAEW; ICAI or ICAS, or CIMA. We welcome applications from individuals who are willing to commit to completing a full qualification. Support to achieving full qualification may be provided through the Apprenticeship Scheme.
Ministry of Justice candidates who are on a specialist grade will be able to retain this on a lateral transfer.
The Selection Process
To apply please complete the online application form. Applications will be sifted by a panel who will look at the Civil Service Behaviour framework and what is evidenced in your application. Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential role requirements within the application behaviour responses.
Candidates who are successful following the sift process will be invited to interview, where the behavioural elements and strengths will be tested further alongside other elements of the post. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates in advance of the interviews.
For further information please feel free to contact Ruth Deedman
email address: ruth.deedman-hmps@justice.gov.uk
Interview dates: Expected early July 2022
Closing Date: TBC, 23:55 hours.
Contact information
If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
Please quote the job reference - 58825
To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.
For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).
If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:
- You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
- You were studying abroad
- You were living overseas with parents
In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.
Success Profiles
Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.
In the event that we receive a large volume of applications we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on one lead behaviour. The chosen lead behaviour for this campaign is Managing a Quality Service.
if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance
Once completed please submit to Finance People and Capability Team via this link with title of the campaign and vacancy manager name in subject box along with any other required details/documentation.
TOP