Finance Officer (Ref: 76995)

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.

DEPARTMENT NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE (NIO)

POST VACANT HEO Finance Officer

LOCATION London or Belfast Occasional Travel to other office locations will be required.

DURATION  12 month Fixed Term Contract (with option to extend)

APPLICATIONS INVITED FROM Existing Civil Servants (available on promotion) and those external to the Civil Service (those joining from outside Civil Service will join on minimum of the pay band)

(Salary scale: Inner London £35,405 – £39,000 and National £31,265-£34,446)

CLOSING DATE 07/08/2023

WHO WE ARE

Inclusion and diversity

The Northern Ireland Office is committed to being an inclusive employer with a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures and experiences.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, as they are under-represented within the NIO at this level.

The Northern Ireland Office strives to be an inclusive employer and is recognised by its staff and externally as being an employer where Diversity and Inclusion are valued.

We hold a Diversity & Inclusion Charter Mark and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader organisation.

In March 2018 we won the award for Best Employer for Diversity & Equality in Northern Ireland (small employer category) in a Gala Award ceremony hosted by Legal-Island, a multi-award winning workplace compliance company based in Northern Ireland.

We have an active D&I network supporting colleagues through D&I Advocates, championed by our Directors.

We want all our people to feel valued for who they are and we are confident that you will find the NIO a warm, welcoming and inclusive place to work.

Background

The Northern Ireland Office represents Northern Ireland interests at a UK Government level and UK Government interests in Northern Ireland. We have a wide range of responsibilities, including: underpinning political stability in Northern Ireland; overseeing the Northern Ireland devolution settlement; leading on national security policy in Northern Ireland; addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past; delivering elections and constitutional reform in Northern Ireland; playing a key role in rebalancing the NI economy; and representing NI interests, including on the border with Ireland, following the exit from the EU.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill is currently moving through Parliament. The Bill seeks to address the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland by focusing on providing answers and accountability to families and survivors and aiding reconciliation to help society move forward.

The Bill will establish a new independent body, the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), as well as an oral history and memorialisation programme. This new Commission will be tasked with carrying out effective and thorough reviews of deaths and serious injuries that occurred during the Troubles, for the primary purpose of information recovery.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The role is part of the programme to establish the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). In order to set up the ICRIR, the NIO has established a director-led programme, separate from the wider department, to put in place the necessary sponsorship and organisational elements for the new body.  The role is a fast-paced and highly collaborative role which will initially be within the Northern Ireland Office before moving to the ICRIR once it is established in late 2023.

The role is a key one in the newly created finance division of ICRIR and will be involved in the setting up of all financial elements of the new entity.  The candidate needs to be highly organised, proactive and able to operate on their own initiative in a challenging, fast moving environment, also familiar with the Government finance and he requirements of Managing Public Money.  You must be a good team player and be comfortable in engaging with all areas of the ICRIR and various stakeholders.

Due to our size, we are able to offer staff the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department, this creates a dynamic, interesting and challenging work environment.

We offer a pleasant, modern work hybrid working environment that allows consideration of a range of flexible working arrangements that support a good work life balance including part-time and job-share options.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The main responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:

• Play a key role in the set-up of a newly created finance function within ICRIR and put in place monthly controls to provide high quality governance and reporting.
• Monthly reporting forecasting against budget for the ICRIR’s spending, ensuring that the reporting process is efficient as possible and the finance system set up to run relevant and clear reports and efficiently as possible.
• Ensure the ten-year budget and forecast for the ‘lifetime spend’ of the ICRIR is monitored and can evolve in line with the full business case in respect to the full 250m Legacy Implementation Programme.
• Deliver the external reporting for the newly formed ICRIR as required and liaise with Treasury, NIO Finance and to ensure expenditure is within relevant limits
• Liaise with stakeholders for the ICRIR, including the sponsor department (NIO), Treasury, Cabinet Office and the NAO.
• Carry out the first year-end reporting, and ensure all audit requirements are met and the year-end accounts are successfully delivered pre-recess.
• Monitor the details of specific expenditure, e.g. estates and ICT, ensure full liaison with the relevant divisions, ensure full and clear financial reporting of these areas.

CRITERIA

Essential

• CCAB or equivalent qualified or part qualified accountant
• Extensive financial experience

Desirable

• Experience of working in a government department and an understanding of government finance

APPLICATION

You are required to submit:

• a CV highlighting relevant experience and skills
• a statement of suitability (maximum 750 words) to demonstrate your suitability for the role and how you meet the essential and desirable criteria

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection and interview process will consist of two stages, sift and interview.

Sift

Experience

We will assess you on your experience and demonstrated abilities as detailed in your CV and statement of suitability in line with the requirements of the role.

Interview

You will be assessed on:

• your experience and suitability for the role.
• how you can exhibit and demonstrate examples of the following behaviours:
  • Delivering at pace
  • Seeing the big picture
  • Communicating and influencing
  • Working together

More information on success profiles and behaviours can be found here.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SECURITY CLEARANCE

Security clearance to SC level will be required for this post.

ELIGIBILITY SIFT

An eligibility sift will be carried out on the basis of the information contained in the application form.  It is therefore important that all applicants demonstrate in their application how and to what extent their experience and behaviours are relevant to the above criteria.  Those candidates who do not clearly demonstrate that they meet the experience and behaviours will not be invited to interview.

PAY AND ALLOWANCES

In advance of ICRIR being established as a separate legal entity your loan will be with Northern Ireland Office and NIO terms and conditions will apply for the length of the loan period / contract.

Neither Detached Duty terms nor relocation costs will apply to this post.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about the post may be obtained from Graham Hancock by email to graham.hancock@icrir.independent-inquiry.com

APPLICATIONS

You can apply for this post through the Civil Service website at civilservice.gov.uk. Once logged onto the site go to the civil service jobs page and then search for jobs in the Northern Ireland Office where the application form can be found.

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

Additional information received after the closing date will not be considered.  Failure to provide sufficient information in support of an application prior to the closing date will not be considered as grounds for an appeal if an applicant is not shortlisted for interview.

Home Civil Service applicants who, because of disability, need assistance in completing the application form should contact MoJ Shared Services on 0845 010 3512.

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

This job description should not be taken as constituting conditions of employment.

Please note that due to the high interest in NIO opportunities, feedback cannot be given if you are unsuccessful at sift stage. Feedback is available on request if unsuccessful following interview.

Further information about us

We are a small and friendly department of approximately 185 staff.  Due to our size we are able to offer staff more exposure to ministers and the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department.  This creates an interesting, though often challenging, work environment.

Other Benefits

The NIO offers a pleasant, modern work environment which allows consideration of a range of flexible working arrangements which support a good work/ life balance. These include flexible/ alternative working patterns, part-time and job-share options.

Benefits include:

                Interest-free season ticket and bicycle loans

                Reward & Recognition scheme

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

The Northern Ireland Office operates the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, details of which are attached to the application form for this post.

In the event that we identify more appointable candidates than we currently have posts available, we will hold applicant details on a reserve list for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. This may include roles at a lower grade. Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com to be removed from the reserve list. 

Further information on civil service careers can be found at  www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.  

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles. 

Please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk) in the first instance.

If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages:

http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/

https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/code/

Merit Lists

In the event that the advertised post following interview, identifies more appointable applicants than available posts, we will hold applicant details on a merit/reserve list for a period of 12 months from which further future appointments can be made. Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com to be removed from the reserve list.

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

• Access to learning and development
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Annual Leave
• Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Job contact :

• Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
• Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
• Telephone : 0845 241 5359

Recruitment team

• Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com