About the job

Job summary

We recognise the challenges that people with protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.

Do you have excellent numeracy skills and a high attention to detail?

Are you seeking an opportunity that provides future career progression within the Finance Profession?

If so, we are looking for two ambitious individuals to join our In-Life Finance team, and we would love to hear from you!

Job description

Our team is responsible for ensuring the Train Operating Companies (TOC) can demonstrate financially that they are acting as a 'Good and Efficient Operator’, delivering value for the taxpayer, actively exploring new opportunities and avenues to deliver service improvements, and acting in accordance with their contractual obligations.  We are also responsible for monitoring the TOC management accounts, reviewing and challenging variances against budget, and reporting progress against TOC budgets and other financial matters under the contracts to the directorate and to various internal stakeholders.

As one of our Rail Finance Associates, you will provide day-to-day support with core financial activities and processes, including periodic management accounts, monthly returns and budget, and forecasts. You will produce periodic payments paperwork and supporting evidence as well as briefing senior management.

In these varied and interesting roles, you will gain valuable and rewarding experience in a commercial environment, working collaboratively with colleagues at all levels across the Department and the Rail Industry.

In taking on these roles, you will be required to study towards completing a Finance level 7 professional qualification (ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA) either via an apprenticeship or supported self-study. An apprenticeship is a great way for you to combine theoretical learning with practical skills building ‘on-the-job’ and the department will also support you with allowing you dedicated time each week to focus on your apprenticeship studies, but self-study could be considered where an apprenticeship is not appropriate.  

If you would like to find out more about what it's like to work at DfT Rail, please click here.

In these roles, your key duties and responsibilities will include:

• Completing sections of Central Finance monthly returns, ensuring accurate insightful commentary and agreeing the numbers being reported, as well as understanding any impact to the full year budget.
• Ensuring risks and opportunities are clearly highlighted and resolving or escalating issues promptly.
• Challenging senior budget holders and promoting accountability and value for money to contribute to the production of robust forecasts.
• Taking ownership of accurate reporting and managing this complex process on a periodic and annual basis.
• Leading on activities which support successful financial management of the Passenger Services Programme budget, reporting and updating of accruals, journals, purchase orders and invoices using the Department’s financial systems.
• Developing continuous improvement of key finance processes to generate quality, timely and accurate reports, analysis and recommendations.
• Producing TOC payment forms, accurate supporting evidence, and co-ordinating approvals whilst working with central finance teams to ensure payments are processed accurately and promptly.

Person specification

About You 

You will be highly numerate, with a high attention to detail and accuracy to produce quality financial information and forecasts.

You will be proficient with Microsoft Office Excel, and have the capability to analyse and interpret financial data and confidently produce findings.

You will display excellent interpersonal skills to confidently engage with and build positive relationships at all levels within and outside of the Department.

You will be proactive, with excellent planning and organisation skills, work well independently and as part of a team to deliver quality outputs and balance competing priorities.

Additional Information 

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace, although requirements to attend other locations for official business, or carry out detached duty in another DfT workplace, will also count towards this level of attendance. 

You will have the option to be based either in London attracting the London pay scale, or in Leeds or Birmingham attracting the national pay scale. Occasional travel will be required across our locations to attend meetings.

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.

Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport.

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, Ability and Experience.

How to apply

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test and a Civil Service Numerical Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application. 

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 25:55 on 18/03/2024. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

Please tailor your CV and personal statement (maximum word count of 500) to provide evidence of the following experience:

• Gathering, analysing and interpreting financial data/information and presenting your findings.
• Building working relationships with a range of stakeholders/team members to deliver a business outcome.

The sift is due to take place from 19/03/2024.

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held week commencing 15/04/2024.

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:

• An interview.

This interview could be conducted online via Teams or face to face at one of our offices. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

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

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

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

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

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.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

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.