Navy Command Deputy Finance Business Partner

Navy Command Headquarters (NCHQ) in Whale Island, Portsmouth, is the nerve centre of the Naval Service. It upholds operations around the globe and provides the ships, people, aircraft, and equipment to deliverthe UK’s defence policy.

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 areas ranging from finance; legal services; personnel and HR; project planning and managing contracts, to media and communications.

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 Deputy Finance Business Partner (DFBP) is a key role in delivering this vision by demonstrating the need forfinance, ensuring that the function is included in strategic decision making, with responsibility for building and sustaining the partnership between Finance and the Business. This role forms a key part
of the MoD’s Finance Functional Leadership Programme.

The DFBP is the finance professional who ensures that the associated financial and economic implications are considered to protect and drive value enabling Navy Command to deliver against its strategic plan and objectives.

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

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

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

The successful candidate will be required to:
• Support the business to deliver their outcomes – working collaboratively with the business and other functions to enable the delivery of plans and objectives.
• Provide 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.
• Implement Continuous Improvement – proactively seeking opportunities for continuous improvement in the service finance provides by engaging with the Business to prioritise those changes that could add most value.
• Act 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.
• Build effective business engagement – building successful partnerships and managing relationships with both the business leadership and other partners.

The post holder may be required to undertake additional responsibilities as expected in relation to the role and grade, including travel to locations across the Naval estate when required. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate during the application and selection process:

Essential
   Experience in Management and Financial Accounting with good Excel skills
   Excellent communication and influencing skills
   Briefing senior stakeholders
   A track record of working with stakeholders to deliver results, and
   Experience in leading a team

Desirable
   Experience of project management and an understanding of commercial
   Qualifications – qualified, or studying towards CCAB, CIMA or equivalent qualification.

   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.

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

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

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Navy Command prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working. We will support the use of a range of flexible working patterns to enable staff to balance home and work responsibilities; and we will treat people fairly irrespective of their working arrangements.

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 could include working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.

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 Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. 

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.  

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. 

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.  

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. 

Job contact :

• Name : Amelia Breen
• Email : amelia.breen103@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk