About the job

Job summary

A position has become available in the Systems and Data Development division, part of the Payments, Systems and Financial Control Directorate within Finance Group. The role is within the Configuration Management Team.

The Configuration Management Team (CMT) are responsible for maintaining the ‘essential wiring’ in DWP Finance system, known as the Single Operating Platform (SOP). CMT manage requests for new/amendments to Cost Centres, Organisations and Structures, Account Codes, and associated hierarchies (Chart of Accounts).

CMT maintain the standards, conventions, and principles to ensure accurate HR, Procurement and Budgetary control for the Department, resulting in accurate reporting of staffing and financial data from SOP and associated reporting systems.

Places for Growth and Social Mobility

As part of the Places for Growth Programme, we are committed to delivering a more geographically diverse Civil and Public Service that will better serve the public and ministers. As part of this initiative, we are continuously reviewing how we recruit into each location.

Postings

Posting will be made in merit order by location, this will be based on the geographical requirement at the time. A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve list candidates will be posted in merit order by location. Successful candidates will be posted to a specific role and will have the opportunity to express a preference as part of the selection process, although final decisions may come down to business need, and the skills and development needs of candidates. Standard promotion rules will apply, and successful candidates will be placed on the pay scale and terms and conditions of DWP. 

The roles available will be based in:

• Birmingham - 3 Arena Central, Bridge Street, Birmingham B1 2AX
• Blackpool - Brunel Way, Blackpool, FY4 5ES
• Leeds – Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7UA
• Manchester - 2 St Peter's Square, Manchester, M2 3AA
• Newcastle – Benton Park View, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE98 1BA
• Sheffield – Hartshead Square, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 2FD

Some travel may be required.

Job description

Successful candidates can expect to be involved in a range of Financial and data structures activities, including:

• Manage and maintain the SOP Chart of Accounts hierarchy (Account Codes and their hierarchies)
• Action self-service requests from the organisation to amend SOP Chart of Accounts changes, providing assistance for changes, reviewing requests for non-compliance in order to maintain high standards
• Help to maintain the SOP organisational and structural hierarchy (Cost Centres, Positions, Locations), by actioning self-service requests, providing expertise for both small and large scale changes, identifying risks where non-compliance with standards are identified
• Assist with the production of Chart of Accounts Mapping Tables
• Act as a Gatekeeper to the Compliance portfolio managed by the team, reviewing different types of access request and granting as appropriate
• Assist with change initiatives and influence the design of any future finance systems, process and procedures
• Maintain excellent working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Support the use of customer self serve by signposting sources of data and procedures or mandating a service point request before engaging
• Develop, review and maintain control processes that identify where structures deviate from principles and standards, including elements approaching potential redundancy, keeping the structures as lean as possible
• Develop and review guidance for end users and customers about how the design of the structures is interconnected, and what monitoring processes will be undertaken
• Identify improved ways of working and provide a seamless transition, with no reduction in customer service, for any improvement initiatives
• Actively search for opportunities in the wider business to increase the scope of CMT, in keeping with the remit of the wider team
• Work collaboratively across the team and wider organisation to ensure a high level of service to our customers
• Promote the values and expertise of the team to the wider organisation using existing and new mediums, i.e. emails, newsletters, listening circles, meetings, presentation recordings
• Act as a Gatekeeper to the Compliance portfolio managed by the team, reviewing different types of access request and granting as appropriate
• Assist in the Hyperion Reporting functionality of the team by creating Management Accounts Reports and Setting up Dashboard Reports for wider finance teams as part of month end
• A willingness to study/studying toward a recognised accountancy qualification (CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, ICAS, ICAI part or full membership highly desired), or with financial experience gained over an extended period would be desirable for this post

Hybrid working

This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need, but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

Please note this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Person specification

Candidates should be able to demonstrate the Essential Criteria as outlined below:

Essential Criteria

• Ability to understand complex problems, identify solutions and communicate these to stakeholders with clarity and provide procedures and tutoring at working level (LEAD CRITERIA)
• Strong data extraction and comparison techniques and experience of working with models and/or complex spreadsheets
• Proven eye for detail, with a focus on data integrity as part of an organised approach to the completion of tasks
• Excellent communication skills and competent at engaging professionally with stakeholders at many levels, with a good ability to persuade and influence others

Benefits

• 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%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Sift stage

As part of the application process we would like you to answer 4 questions in a personal statement, where you will show how you demonstrate the Essential Criteria. Your answers to each question should be aligned to the corresponding Essential Criteria. For example:

• Give an example of a time when you’ve been able to solve a complex problem and communicate this solution to stakeholders. (max 250 words) Lead Criteria
• Tell us about an instance when you used strong analytical/data skills to provide an evidence based argument at work. (max 250 words)
• Give an example of when you’ve focused on data integrity and an organised approach to complete a task. (max 250 words)
• Give an example of when you have used communication skills to communicate and influence a variety of stakeholders. (max 250 words)

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

The sift panel will use your Personal Statement to assess your skills and experience against the Essential Criteria listed in the advertisement.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead criteria "Give an example of a time when you’ve been able to solve a complex problem and communicate this solution to stakeholders". 

Only candidates who pass the full sift will be invited to next stage which will be interview.

Interview stage:

If you have been successful in sift stage, you will be invited to an online interview via Teams. You will need to produce evidence of ID at the video interview.

The interview will take a blended approach, and you will be assessed against the Behaviours outlined in the job advert, as well as Strength-based questions. 

Further information will be provided to those who are invited to interview.

Application sift is planned to be carried out 31st July to 7th August 2024

Sift Results released W/C 12th August 2024

Interviews are planned to be carried out W/C 26th August & W/C 2nd September 2024

Interview Results issued W/C 16th September 2024

Please be advised that the above dates are indicative only and are subject to change.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to DWP 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

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. 

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.

Reasonable Adjustment

At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:Contact Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.