Tax Specialist (Ref: 82149)

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.

Ministry of Justice an Inclusive Employer

We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer of choice and ensuring equity of opportunity for all. We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring in terms of their culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

Overview

The Tax Centre of Excellence (Tax CoE) was the first cross government centre of excellence to be established and is a central resource for all departmental tax advice and services available to Government departments. The Tax CoE comprises teams from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Home Office (HO), and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), supported by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The services offered by the Tax CoE and operating model can be found on the Tax CoE website on OneFinance.

Working in the Tax CoE offers a unique opportunity to shape, influence and deliver the direction of tax services at the heart of Government. It is also an exciting and welcoming place to work and you will be supported to reach your full potential and get the most out of a rewarding career in Finance. 

This role also attracts a specialist allowance of £1,500 or £2,500, depending on location. The specialist allowance is non-contractual and subject to annual review.

Role Purpose

This is a specialist role based in the Ministry of Justice Tax CoE Customer Engagement Team primarily providing tax advice and services across government. The services we deliver are aimed at supporting tax compliance and assurance, and developing capability through our dedicated Tax CoE website, community delivery and one to one support. The post holder will also support cross government tax compliance projects and initiatives and engage and work in partnership with colleagues from other government bodies, including HM Revenue and Customs and HM Treasury, communities and networks. 

Key Responsibilities

•    Actively contribute to the Tax CoE delivery and development of tax services and programme of work with an ongoing focus on continuous improvement    

•    Deliver high quality, timely, evidence-based tax advice, training and support across government on tax related matters 

•    Produce, clarify and advise on tax policy and compliance, interpreting and preparing guidance and providing clear communications on technical issues which are often challenging and complex in nature
•    Identify current and emerging tax compliance risks and issues and take a lead role to help improve tax processes, compliance and assurance across government.   

•    Build strong relationships with key stakeholders to enable effective partnership working across the sector both internal and external to the tax community  

•    Lead cross government projects, and pro-actively support other stakeholders, to ensure tax is considered at an early stage, support tax understanding and provide advice on best practice processes to deliver tax compliant outcomes. 
 
Key skills and knowledge

The Successful Candidate will be able to demonstrate

Essential Criteria

•    A good working knowledge, track record, experience and understanding of tax legislation and tax compliance.
•    The ability to assimilate complex information from both internal and external sources and to provide accurate, complete and timely advice and guidance
•    Good stakeholder and customer engagement skills with the ability to build and facilitate successful working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders and customers 
•    Effective communication skills including the ability to translate complex rules into guidance and training that can be easily understood and be confident in promoting tax knowledge and best practice. 
•    The ability to manage competing priorities, delivering high quality work to demanding timescales.
•    The ability and confidence to lead and drive forward projects, pro-actively working with stakeholders, building strong working relationships and delivering high quality customer service  
•    An enthusiasm to develop further expert knowledge in Tax, Finance and the workings of government.  

Desirable Skills

•    Knowledge and experience of tax within government would be useful, but not a necessity.
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.

Civil Service Behaviours

The following SEO Civil Service Behaviours are essential to this post and will be assessed upon application:

•    Leadership;
•    Managing a Quality Service; 
•    Making effective decisions; and
•    Communicating and influencing

Technical skills

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

•    Knowledge, understanding and application of tax and/or VAT.

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
If 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 Leadership. 

Professional Competencies / Requirements

The successful candidate will need to be CCAB/CTA/ATT qualified or qualified by experience as a tax professional.
MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade will be able to retain this on a lateral transfer. 

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 many applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Leadership. 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.

Travel

A base location near or within the region will be allocated to the successful candidate, as set out below. 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 any extra expense (beyond the usual base location travel costs) in line with the T&S policy.
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 MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working.  Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
You are advised to access the JCC/JSO office map, which is updated whenever a new JCC/JSO site opens,  to determine potential travelling times and distances to MoJ locations before applying for a job.

Training 

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks 

The opportunity to join employee run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
For further information please feel free to contact Carl McConville at Carl.McConville@justice.gov.uk or Catherine.Jones5@justice.gov.uk

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

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

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

• Knowledge, understanding and application of tax and / or VAT

• 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