About the job

Job summary

The Department for Work and Pensions is one of the largest Departments in Whitehall, managing the delivering of benefit payments to citizens totalling over £200bn annually. As a Finance Professional in Government, your role is to protect public funds and add value through finance assurance activities.   

This is a fantastic opportunity to join the Financial Management and Partnering Directorate. This Directorate brings together, Finance Business Partners, Strategic Finance Advisors and Resource Modellers/Analysts into teams which are aligned to DWP Director Generals.  

Financial Management and Partnering is a very dynamic area to work in. It has a strong track record of success, helping anyone looking for strategic insight and career progression. It is a great platform for developing and enhancing skill sets for a career in DWP Finance and provides an opportunity to work closely with Senior staff across the organisation.  

Successful candidates will be posted to a Finance Business Partner role. 

Places for Growth 

Please note we are restricted to the number of roles that are available in London. Our positions will be offered in strict merit order based on location selections. Once all London roles have been filled, we will no longer be able to offer any further roles in this location.  We will also apply this rationale to any reserve lists held in the event of future postings.  

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 Peel Park, 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, but individuals’ circumstances will be taken into account 

Job description

Please note: Some finance experience is desirable for this role, but it is not essential. Full training will be given, but an interest in working in finance is important. A professional qualification is not required.  

What are my responsibilities? 

The roles in this job advert are challenging and varied with accountability for a wide range of people and financial data. The roles will be at the heart of several of the key work areas within the Finance Directorate, which include the following activities: 

• Ensuring the integrity of transactions on financial systems, ensuring good controls and checks are in place to maintain accuracy. 
• Use of financial data to provide meaningful and insightful analysis for senior managers and stakeholders. 
• Drive value for money through the provision of robust financial information. 
• Undertake month end activities, which may include the preparation of accurate and reliable journals, budget profiling and financial forecasting. 
• Ensuring financial transactions are reported accurately and in line with Departmental policy. 
• Provide explanations for significant changes in forecast and actuals; provide updates on issues and risks to stakeholders, in a timely manner. 
• Produce high quality reports and insightful management information for stakeholders. 
• Building effective relationships with contributors/stakeholders. Including working with colleagues across DWP to deliver an integrated finance and performance function to the business. 
• You may have line manager responsibility, and you will be expected to effectively utilise team capabilities to maximise the efficiency of the Finance function.

Person specification

Essential criteria 

• (Lead Criteria) Demonstration of supporting decision making through Strong numerical and analytical skills. 
• A sound working knowledge of key Microsoft Office tools – primarily Excel. 
• Excellent inter-personal, relationship-building, communication, and influencing skills. Including the ability to communicate complex financial information to a non-financial audience, via high-quality reports and briefings. 
• Proven ability to meet tight deadlines and effectively manage competing priorities 
• Interest in Finance and a desire to build a career within this area. 

Benefits

This is an extraordinary opportunity to join a results-driven team with strong leadership and a focus on continuously developing its staff and its service offer. A positive and inclusive team culture is at the heart of the team’s priorities, with the leadership team focussed on helping its people to widen their portfolio in terms of personal development. DWP strives to put its people first through the following corporate policies and offers:

• Competitive salary and pension scheme   - Civil Service pension 
• Minimum of 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Eligibility for centrally managed DWP Finance Apprenticeship which includes tuition and study support towards gaining qualified accountant status
• Competitive maternity, paternity, and parental leave, recognising the importance of a good work-life balance and a family friendly approach to work  
• Flexible working patterns and technology enabled virtual capabilities
• Large group structure with many opportunities to develop and progress across the Civil Service
• DWP Discount Scheme and interest free season tickets and loans
• 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%

Location

Applicants should apply for suitable posts where they can travel to and from their home office location daily within a reasonable time.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Relocation costs will not be reimbursed 

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.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

Application and Sift

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a personal statement (Max 1000 words).

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

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the following lead criteria:

• (Lead Criteria) Demonstration of supporting decision making through Strong numerical and analytical skills. 

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Your Personal Statement should showcase your skills and demonstrate how you meet the Essential Criteria and your suitability to the role. 

Interview Stage

If successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an online interview via Teams which is expected to last 45-60 minutes (Interview slots will be made available via Civil Service Jobs). you will need: 

• Access to a laptop/device with working camera and microphone 
• To produce photo ID at the video interview 

The interviews are structured as follows: 

• Introduction to the panel and ID verification 
• Civil Service Behaviour questions against those listed in the advert. 

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

Application sift is planned to be carried out WC: 15th January 2024 

Interviews are planned to be carried out WC: 5th February 2024 

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

Further Information

Find out more about Working for DWP

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made and reserve list candidates will be appointed in merit order.

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://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.

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.

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.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

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.