Ministry of Defence Hiring for Navy Command Finance Business Partner People and Training Job at Bristol, England Full Time

172307

£53,500

Permanent

MOD – Navy

Finance

Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time, Compressed Hours

1

Bristol, Portsmouth

Navy Command Headquarters (NCHQ) in Whale Island, Portsmouth, is the nerve centre of the Naval Service. It supports operations around the globe and provides the ships, people, aircraft and equipment to deliver the UK’s defence policy. The NCHQ supports all the Royal Navy’s activities from front-line operations to personnel support and training, finance and governance; safety; equipment acquisition; programmes and planning; and Defence Engagement. Civil Servants and Armed Forces personnel work together in a wealth of interesting and challenging jobs in different disciplines, from finance; legal services; personnel and HR; project planning and managing contracts, to media and communications.

This is an exciting time to be part of the MoD’s finance function as we evolve to put finance at the heart of decision making through our Finance Functional Leadership programme. This is an ambitious programme to build capability in the MoD’s finance function and to introduce a revised finance operating model which is consistent with that in other government departments.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week

This is a vital role which will include being a key member of the Senior Leadership Team in your business area responsible for influencing the strategic direction of the business and enabling the organisation to deliver against its plan, objectives and outcomes

In support of the Deputy Finance Director, to provide support to Director Navy Personnel and Training in delivering business outcomes and driving financial performance.

The vision for the finance function for financial management is: Protecting Value, Driving Value, Adding Value and putting finance at the heart of decision making to support and enable delivery of Defence outputs. The Finance Business Partner (FBP) is a critical role which is key in achieving this vision by demonstrating the need for finance ensuring that the function is included in strategic decision making, with responsibility for building and sustaining the partnership between Finance and the Business. This is a vital role which will include being a key member of the Senior Leadership Team in your business area responsible for influencing the strategic direction of the business and enabling the organisation to deliver against its plan, objectives and outcomes

The FBP is the finance expert who ensures that the associated financial and economic implications are considered to protect and drive value enabling the Directors to deliver against their strategic plan and objectives.

The role requires a wide range of skills and requires the incumbent to utilise a combined skill set encompassing interpersonal skills, professional skills and technical knowledge. By applying these skills together with their contextual understanding of the business’ strategic goals, plans, performance and risk management, the FBP will be equipped to provide strategic financial advice and enhance the quality of decision-making.

Relationship management and stakeholder communication is a key part of the FBP role to ensure stakeholder confidence and raise awareness of interdependencies ensuring timely delivery against objectives.

As part of the finance leadership you will support the wider finance function staff providing opportunities for development and encouraging ideas for improving team performance.

FBPs work with the other Finance Director teams and the wider finance community to ensure that accurate management information, analysis and insight is available to enable the Business to take these informed decisions and to ensure that sound financial management is in place.

In Navy Command, our civil servants work alongside their military colleagues in jobs that matter; jobs which often have a direct impact on the quality of the operational capabilities we deliver.

Roles can offer great job satisfaction and there are many opportunities to develop and progress both within the Department and across the wider Civil Service.

Responsibilities

Provide Leadership and Management to your team.

Supporting the business to deliver their outcomes – Working collaboratively with the business and other functions to enable the delivery of business plans and objectives. Flexibility in undertaking duties unique to the needs of the business area. Communicating with impact and providing insight including financial and wider business implications. Identify and communicate potential opportunities and risks to enable business leadership to make informed decisions around investments, change and continuous improvements. Support the business to resolve complex problems.

Driving financial performance – against agreed targets working with stakeholders. Develop an understanding of the drivers behind key variations and work with the business to identify remedial actions, risks and opportunities

Providing constructive challenge, scrutiny, insight and analysis on financial plans and programmes to ensure ambitions are sustainable, aligned to strategy, maximise value for money and are linked to benefits.

• Reporting and analysing the business financial position for consolidation to Head of Corporate Reporting
• Reviewing Financial Accounting treatment and resolution of accounting anomalies and/or anything adversely impacting the SOFP

Supporting your business area in the development of the 10 year plan. Providing constructive challenge, scrutiny, insight and analysis on financial plans and programmes to ensure ambitions are sustainable, aligned to strategy, maximise value for money and are linked to benefits.

Input into the development of business cases, investment appraisals and proposals identifying and highlighting any potential issues. Undertake scrutiny of business cases to ensure that cases provide value for money, consider the wider corporate impact (e.g. legal, commercial) and through-life implications ensuring a robust risk assessment is undertaken.

To identify opportunities for new efficiencies and support in delivering the existing pipeline. Maintaining oversight of the pipeline and assisting the business in progressing initiatives through the maturity levels. Ensuring Efficiencies are captured in the TLB reporting process liaising with the TLB Efficiency focal point.

Implementing Continuous Improvement – proactively identifying opportunities for continuous improvement in the service finance provides by engaging with the Business to prioritise those changes that could add most value. Looking forward and using financial, operational performance and economic data to deliver insight that both drives and facilitates change and continuous improvement. Deliver improvements in financial awareness and acumen across their business areas.

Acting as the bridge between the business and the rest of finance-Engaging with the wider business and drawing on the required support from the finance function. Working collaboratively with Finance teams and other functions to ensure that senior leadership have the right information and advice.

Building effective stakeholder engagement – Building successful partnerships and maintaining relationships with business leadership and wider stakeholders. Developing confidence and trust in the ability of finance to support business needs. Steering and influencing senior leadership to make informed decisions that balance short term priorities (e.g. in year efficiencies) with longer-term sustainability. You will be the first line of defence for issues and queries raised by the business where there is no clear solution pathway in place or if a rapid resolution can be provided.

Qualified with CCAB, CIMA or equivalent qualification or working towards a formal qualification or Qualified by Experience.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

As a civil servant in Navy Command, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference.

Navy Command prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.

Other benefits for Navy Command civil servants include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• A very competitive pension scheme
• Personal & professional development
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to a confidential, professional support service
• Discount schemes
• Bicycle / season ticket loans
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year

Our headquarters in Portsmouth also offers an impressive range of on-site facilities including a gymnasium, tennis courts, and other sporting facilities, a children’s nursery, a bistro restaurant, a shop and plenty of car parking spaces.

In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.

An apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through an apprenticeship you will gain professional knowledge, practical experience, and the broader skills required to upskill you in your current role and pave the way for your future career. Most of the training will be ‘on-the-job’, with the remaining ‘off-the-job’ training often delivered by a training provider. This means minimal disruption and maximum impact.

Professional qualifications can be achieved through an apprenticeship and range from Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs), Level 3 (equivalent to 2 A Levels), and Levels 4 -7, which can give you a foundation degree, a full Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s degree.

Apprenticeships normally last between 12 months – 3 years, depending on the level of the apprenticeship.

Anyone can undertake an Apprenticeship and everyone, regardless of age, can benefit from developing their skills in an accredited way.

Successful candidates can discuss their development options with their manager when in post.

The post does not offer relocation expenses External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six month probation period.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Your department’s complaints process :

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. Please refer to the attached Candidate Information guide.

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