EO – Finance & Corporate Services Support Officer – Ref : 5588

The Climate Change Committee is the independent expert statutory adviser to Parliament and the UK Government on climate change policy. It was created as a key part of the long-term legal framework set out in the Climate Change Act (2008). The Act sets a long-term target for 2050 (Net Zero, a 100% reduction in net emissions from 1990) and requires that carbon budgets (five-year caps on emissions) are set on a path towards the long-term target. The Act also requires that the UK assesses and responds to the risks that it faces as the climate changes. 

 The CCC was the first body of its kind in the world and brings together different strands of expertise from its members, from government, the research community and business. It draws on existing information and undertakes its own analysis to provide expert advice to Ministers and to Parliament.

The CCC is comprised of two Boards (‘the Committee’ and ‘the Adaptation Committee’) and an analytical secretariat. The Committees are supported by a Secretariat of around 50 economists, operational researchers, scientists and other analysts, as well as a Corporate team (where this role sits) of around 10 people.

Job description  

About the role 

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) is seeking an experienced support officer to work within the Corporate Service team, this is a busy but varied role for which, ideally, the successful candidate should have prior experience within a support function, but training will be provided for the right person. We’re looking for somebody who can foster great working relationships through working closely with other CCC central teams and senior colleagues. The role requires diligence and an aptitude to resolving issues and prioritise competing demands to provide an excellent support function not only to the Corporate Team but to the wider CCC Secretariat.

 The role is offered as a fixed term appointment for up to 24 months or on secondment.

 Key roles and responsibilities

The post holder will report to the Finance Manager, but it is anticipated that the support will be across the Corporate Service remit, the main duties are, but not restricted to:- 

• Reconciliation of expenditure on Government procurement cards.
• Maintaining and monitoring the travel booking tool used by Committee Members and the Secretariat.
• Submitting Committee Members travel and expenses claim forms.
• Supporting the Finance Manager during interim and year end audits and liaising with the CCC’s Shared Service Provider and the National Audit Office.
• Providing support to the Finance Manager on monthly, interim and year end accounting activity.
• Be the main point of contact for raising purchase orders and setting up new suppliers.
• Supporting the Corporate Team during recruitment by undertaking various tasks to enable new staff to be onboarded.
• Arranging the delivery and collection of IT equipment and maintaining the asset register.
• Completion of the monthly finance, procurement & HR returns that are sent to our sponsor departments. 

For more information about this role please contact Kieron.Driscoll@theccc.org.uk or Sean.Taylor@theccc.org.uk.

Essential criteria

• Adaptable and capable of managing a varied and often demanding workload.
• The confidence to be proactive
• A proven track record of working to deadlines, meeting targets and demonstrating attention to detail.
• High quality verbal and written communication.
• Experienced user of Outlook, Teams and Excel 

Desirable criteria 

• Understanding of core finance and procurement processing activities, for example, experience of creating Purchase Orders and receipting.
• Experience of involvement in interim and year end audits
• Knowledge of the key stages of a civil service recruitment process
• Understanding and experience of using a standard operating platform for finance/procurement and HR functions.

Working at the CCC

 The CCC takes personal development seriously and is proud to maintain a highly effective and well-motivated workforce. Successful applicants will agree a development plan with their manager. 

 The Climate Change Committee are committed to creating a workplace culture where all staff feel valued, supported and can develop their potential. We work hard to ensure all staff can flourish and succeed, working with and respecting people’s different backgrounds and personal circumstances.  We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply for this position. For more information on our EDI commitments, please read our strategy here https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/.

 Things you need to know

The CCC office will be relocating to Canary Wharf in early 2024. Staff are expected to attend the office for at least 40% of their working hours. The pay band for this role is £30,250 – £33,419.

We support a wide variety of working patterns such as compressed hours, hybrid working, and flexi time. National pay bands may be used where staff apply to work from home for more than 40% of their working hours and live outside London. Regular attendance at our London office, for example for meetings and training, will still be required. The national pay band for this grade is £26,857 – £28,894.

Security: Successful candidates must pass basic security checks.

Nationality requirements: Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non-EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Feedback: Feedback can be provided on request to those who have attended an interview.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme: The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Assessment criteria

Candidates are asked to submit a Statement of Suitability (1000 words max) which sets out:- 

• A brief career history with a summary of the key responsibilities in your current role.
• Your skills and experience which show why you are well-suited to this role.
• What you hope to achieve in this role

Interviews will be used to assess performance against behaviours and strengths in addition to experience. Further information will be provided about assessment at interview for candidates invited to interview. 

Contact information

For more information about this role please contact Kieron.Driscoll@theccc.org.uk or Sean.Taylor@theccc.org.uk

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Job contact :

• Name : Kieron Driscoll
• Email : Kieron.Driscoll@theccc.org.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : defra-recruitment-enquiries@gov.sscl.com