About the job

Job summary

Background: The UK Space Agency: 

The UK Space Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) and provides technical advice on the government’s space strategy, supporting the UK space sector to deliver the government’s vision. 

Space is a part of everyday life. Satellites underpin our national economy, from agriculture and banking to aviation and shipping, and support our national security. Space science provides critical data to understand and address global challenges such as climate change, while missions to explore our solar system unite nations and advance humanity’s horizons. 

We support a thriving space sector in the UK, which generates an annual income of £16.5 billion and employs 47,000 people across the country. 

Through our portfolio of programmes and projects, we encourage the development of national space capabilities and are an early-stage investor in space research and development.  We also promote the UK space sector’s interests and achievements; make connections to join up industry and academia; and represent the UK in international space programmes. 

We have a powerful global voice, partnering with institutions across the world, including the European Space Agency. 

More information about the Agency is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency 

To discover more please watch this film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZZ-o0IkVU

Our Inclusive Environment

We have an inclusive culture to make UK Space Agency a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.

We offer first-class flexible working benefits, excellent employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.

We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion.

The Role

The UK Space Agency’s finance team has an exciting opportunity for an experienced financial accountant to meet the requirements of the growing Agency and UK Space industry.

We are a diverse organisation, with the UK Space Agency finance team working at the heart of the organisation, supporting senior leadership by enabling decision making and safeguarding public funds.

Job description

Key responsibilities

The post holder will work collaboratively to provide financial assurance and support across the Agency, sitting in the Financial Accounts team.

Financial Accountant

The Financial Accountant role will work with the team to ensure that financial records are accurate, aligned to current accounting principles and assist with the production of the annual report and accounts detailing the Agency’s annual expenditure of £648m (2022/23). Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Reporting to the Head of Financial Reporting, manage the delivery of interim and year end Annual Accounts (financial year April – March) and accompanying disclosure notes to the financial statements.
• Keep up to date with the developments in accounting standards, advising on correct accounting treatments and implementing new accounting standards.
• Prepare monthly accounts packs for review, liaising with the Head of Financial Planning and Performance to ensure the integrity of accounts (including oversight of corrective journals where required).
• Ensure monthly accruals submitted by management accounts are supported by appropriate evidence for the Agency’s strategic programmes.
• A lead contact for external auditors, managing daily liaison during audit site visits in January, and May/June.
• The main point of contact for BEIS Group accounts consolidation in January and April/May ensuring Agency’s financial position is reported accurately on the departmental reporting tool (Enterprise Performance Management), including leading on the intra group transaction eliminations.
• Working with the Head of Financial Reporting, draft the annual Governance Statement ensuring sufficient supporting evidence is collated during the year.
• Reporting to the Head of Financial Reporting, lead on the completion of the Assurance Map for finance led activities, using an array of assurance techniques to test the effectiveness and compliance of internal controls.
• Review, update and develop the Agency’s financial policies and procedures to ensure they meet the requirements of a developing organisation.
• Lead on the continuous improvement and best practice on financial management within the Agency, with specific reference to governance and management of fraud controls
• Assist the Head of Financial Reporting with the implementation of internal audit recommendations and report on progress made against agreed actions.
• Chair the internal Finance Processes Network, organising regular meetings to drive continuous improvement, best practice and consistent ways of working.
• Line management responsibility (1x HEO Finance Officer)

UK Space Agency Generic Responsibilities (This is a requirement of all posts)

• Ensure compliance with statutory and legal provisions as set out in the UK Space Agency’s policies and procedures. In relation to: Financial Regulations, Equal Opportunities and Diversity, Health and Safety, Civil Service Code, Data Protection & the Official Secrets Act.
• Comply with the behaviours and standard requisites as relevant to your post as detailed in your job description, person specification and take responsibility for continuing self-development, participating in training and development activities as required or requested by your line manager.
• Attend meetings as required some of which may be outside normal working hours

The above mentioned tasks and responsibilities are neither inclusive nor exhaustive. The post holder may be called upon to carry out such other appropriate duties as may be required by the Chief Executive and/or senior officer(s) within the grading level of the post and the competence of the post holder.

Person specification

Essential

• Significant experience of working in a finance team.
• Highly numerate individual with strong analytical skills
• Good knowledge of Excel
• Excellent written skills and an ability to explain complex financial information to non-finance audience
• Ability to communicate across all levels
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills to influence senior management as well as senior programme leads or technical experts
• Ability to work on own initiative and under pressure with competing demands to tight deadlines
• Ability to work proactively to anticipate issues and develop options/solutions in order to prevent escalation
• Proven interpersonal skills with an ability to work within own team as well as with colleagues in other parts of the organisation
• Willingness to learn and provide support within the wider finance team
• CCAB qualified / part qualified / qualified by experience
• Experience in the preparation of statutory accounts, and a good technical accounting knowledge

Desirable

• Experience of working in a public sector organisation and knowledge of accounting standards
• Demonstrable experience of using management information to support and improve overall operational delivery
• Experience/knowledge of Oracle financial system, Purchasing Module and General Ledger Module or advanced knowledge of other accounting systems
• Experience of working within a central government department
• Previous experience of line management responsibilities

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,470, UK Space Agency contributes £10,116 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

UK Space Agency is undergoing a transformation programme which may impact your role, line manager and/or location in the future.  We will share more details with you as they become known.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. In addition, you will be required to provide 3 Behaviour and 1 technical examples. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 250 words) to describe how your skills and experience are relevant to this role.

The CV is for information and will not be scored.

The Sift will be assessed on behaviours, personal statement and technical skills.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour - Changing and Improving. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The Interview will be assessed on behaviours and technical skills.

Sift and interview dates

Sift dates: w/c 8th January 2024

Interview dates: w/c 29th January 2024

Interview location: MS Teams

Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Further information

This post is advertised as a Fixed Term contract for a period up to 31st March 2025.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.  

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via uksarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk  as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

• Complete the “Assistance required” 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. 

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

Any move to UK Space Agency 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

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

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

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

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 circumstance 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-Employment.Checks@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.

Feedback

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.