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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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Finance
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About the job
Job summary
About the job:-
DEFRA is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people’s day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.
Defra Group Finance have a HEO role in Business Partnering, supporting the other Risk Management Authority (RMA) element of the Environment Agencys £5.2bn capital programme, acting as the face of Finance, and taking Finance to the heart of decision making.
As a Grant Administration Officer your role is to protect value, drive value and add value.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Ensuring the various statutory requirements for grant administration are met. This includes following the Managing Public Money guidelines and adhering to the Cabinet Office – Grant Minimum Standards.
- Ensuring all grant records are maintained to satisfy the relevant audit requirements.
- Providing advice & support to the business to allow the efficient running of their grant programmes.
- Review processes to identify, implement and embed improvements, working collaboratively with relevant stakeholders.
- Set up schemes on the Grant Database and accurately process claims for payment.
The Specialist Grant Administration Team (GAT) administers capital grant payments to Local Authorities, Internal Drainage Boards, Water Companies for Flood and Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) schemes with an annual budget of ~£240m. GAT also administers smaller grants of ~£10m total via the Charities Act for water improvement projects payments.
Job description
Key responsibilities will include but not be limited to: –
- Part of a team of HEO and EO specialists helping to develop new grant programmes, review approvals and process grant claims.
- Support work to ensure that the Government Grant Information System (GGIS) is kept up to date for pipeline and awards reporting.
- Help maintain the Grant databases and ensure they reconcile with the Project Ledger, GGIS and the Annual Report & Accounts
- Support the SEO and Grade 7 roles by ensuring processes are efficient and compliant with grant standards.
- Ensure projects are closed down effectively and any discrepancies are investigated.
- Provide input to regular reports to the business on the grant position.
Person specification
Essential Experience and Skills:-
Good analytical, data management and modelling skills. Attention to detail when working with large volumes of numerical data. Ability to identify key issues from financial data and the confidence to act as a critical friend.
- Demonstrate good technical competence across a range of financial disciplines.
- An understanding of Grant Administration procedures and controls and why they are in place.
- Well-developed written and oral communication skills and the ability to present financial information clearly.
- Good relationship management, networking and influencing skills.
- Able to challenge and act as critical friend in dealing with customers, showing empathy with their situation while ensuring financial policies and processes are adhered
- An ability to identify and quantify risks and issues and communicate them clearly.
- A good level of competence in managing data and producing high-quality management information.
A track record of good customer service delivery.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£8,186 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- 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%
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Blended Working
Defra operates a blended working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.
Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. There is flexibility to split the working week, spending minimum of 40-60% in the workplace, unless exceptional circumstances apply and/or you are a contractual home worker.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application
Please submit your CV demonstrating how you meet the criteria above with a 250-word statement which should detail your experience and suitability for the role.
Sift
Sift will be performed on CV and personal statement
Interview
Candidate successful at sift stage will be invited to a video assessment/interview (1 hour 20 mins) that will consist of a blended interview of Behaviours and Strengths and one other exercise (presentation exercise or experience questions).
Sift – week commencing 20th November 2023
Interview – week commencing 4th December 2023
Location
Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Internal (core Defra) employees can apply for this role and choose to remain in their current location or to be based in one of the advertised locations.
All other applicants will be based in one of the advertised locations. Candidates will need to state their location preference on the application form.
If you are successful in your application and your base working location is London, please be aware that Defras Nobel House Office at 17 Smith Square, London will be closing in December 2023.
This means that Defra new joiners will be located alongside existing colleagues in offices a short distance away from Nobel House in our other office at 2 Marsham St, London.
To work from 2 Marsham Street, you will require the higher level of CTC clearance. Therefore, confirmation of appointment to the advertised post will be dependent upon successful CTC clearance being confirmed as part of pre-employment checks.
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.
Higher Security Clearance
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter
All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Jan Bradshaw
- Email : jan.bradshaw@hays.com
- Telephone : 07740817905
Recruitment team
- Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk