About the job

Job summary

In DHSC, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you’d like to work in, we’d love to hear from you.

This is an exciting opportunity for a fully qualified accountant to gain invaluable experience in an operational role working closely with the pharmaceutical industry, NHSE and other Departmental bodies across the UK.

The Branded Medicines Operations team is a small, flexible and dynamic team in a high profile, fast moving and complex area of branded medicines, which sits within the Medicines Directorate. This team manages the operations of two complex branded medicine schemes: the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth (the Voluntary Scheme) and the Branded Health Service Medicines (Costs) Regulations 2018 (the Statutory Scheme).

Both Schemes are pivotal to ensuring the NHS branded medicines bill stays within affordable limits and delivers value for money. The Department recovers circa £3.2 billion annual income for the whole UK (estimated in 2023) from 130+ of the largest pharmaceutical companies, as well as assessing the ongoing financial liabilities for a further 180 smaller pharmaceutical companies.

This is an exciting opportunity for a fully qualified accountant to gain invaluable experience in an operational role working closely with the pharmaceutical industry, NHSE and other Departmental bodies across the UK.

The Branded Medicines Operations team is a small, flexible and dynamic team in a high profile, fast moving and complex area of branded medicines, which sits within the Medicines Directorate. This team manages the operations of two complex branded medicine schemes: the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth (the Voluntary Scheme) and the Branded Health Service Medicines (Costs) Regulations 2018 (the Statutory Scheme).

Both Schemes are pivotal to ensuring the NHS branded medicines bill stays within affordable limits and delivers value for money. The Department recovers circa £3.2 billion annual income for the whole UK (estimated in 2023) from 130+ of the largest pharmaceutical companies, as well as assessing the ongoing financial liabilities for a further 180 smaller pharmaceutical companies.

Job description

This is a new role to support a qualified principal accountant in a team that is operationalising a new Voluntary Scheme that has been agreed with the pharmaceutical industry. The new scheme began at the start of January 2024 and there will be scope for the right candidate to shape their role whilst supporting a small and dynamic team making key decisions within the complex area of branded medicines, within the Medicines Directorate. Candidates should have a strong interest in financial analysis, probity and audit and, as a qualified accountant, will relish dealing with complex scenarios covering pricing and its effects on profitability.

The team manages the operations of two complex branded medicine schemes: the Voluntary Scheme and the Statutory Scheme. The Voluntary Scheme is renegotiated every five years, with the latest negotiation just completed. Separately, Regulations underpinning the Statutory Scheme have just been amended and this role will encompass work under both schemes. Branded Medicines is a constantly changing environment and candidates will be required to adapt to changing workload priorities.

This role will be instrumental in supporting, developing, and implementing the financial management changes needed across the operational team as well as operationalising the changes to the online portal used by pharmaceutical companies to submit returns to accurately reflect the financial probity required from such schemes.

The role will provide an opportunity to work closely with colleagues both inside the Department and across the pharmaceutical industry. It is essential that the post holder is numerate with a well-developed and up to date understanding of, and ability to robustly apply and challenge, appropriate accounting treatments, practices, and principles. The role therefore has strong links to the wider Finance Group and professional development is supported through this route.

Those that hold a full CCAB, CIMA or equivalent qualification will be eligible for an annual market pay supplement of £7k.

Person specification

Working alongside the principal accountant, the postholder will:

• Validate income received (estimated £3.2bn in 2023) and manage budgetary and financial aspects, including income reconciliation and supporting Principal Accountant with the End of Scheme Reconciliation (ESR) procedures.
  
  
• Through analysis and scrutiny of audited financial returns and company accounts, they will provide management assurance of the accuracy and validity of the company data, financial reports, and income from circa 130 of the largest pharmaceutical companies as well as assessing the ongoing financial liabilities for a further 180 smaller companies.
  
  
• Develop and present crucial finance models in support of branded medicine new product pricing and price increase requests received from pharmaceutical companies. Ensure consistency and fairness across all companies and to help communicate complex financial and accounting information to non-accountants both inside and outside the Department. This is pivotal in the pricing application assessment process.
• Represent the Department in the external facing side of the role. This will include leading on difficult discussions and potential disputes with companies and the postholder may, therefore, face challenge from senior pharmaceutical company executives. Dealing confidently with such challenges is an important requirement of the role.
  
  
• Need to present clear and comprehensive arguments/findings to senior management for approval so will need to understand how financial levers can influence decision makers, as well as other non-finance related considerations, such as patient benefits.
  
  
• Continuously improve and streamline audit review processes to maintain a robust audit trail, through collaboration with finance and senior colleagues.
  
  
• Act as the point of contact with Finance Business Partners for budget profiling, disseminating commissions to the appropriate business units and reporting back to Core Finance.
• Support various business units within the directorate with their financial management needs, especially in months nine and twelve, including aiding with journal posting and procurement procedures.
  
  Key skills and experience required for the role
  

  As an accountant in this multi-functioning role you will have the following Skills & Experience:

• Proven robust accounting and financial management skills required to manage £3+bn income per annum from two complex schemes involving 300+ companies. Experience and knowledge of financial processes, audit, financial models and analysing company accounts.
  
  
• Ability to build strong relationships and achieve constructive outcomes with key external stakeholders, primarily pharmaceutical companies, to achieve progress of the objectives of the scheme.
  
  
• Confidence to pro-actively take forward issues often in discussions with senior company executives; and identify common ground in negotiations to lead to mutually satisfactory conclusions, sometimes under pressure.
  
  
• Ability to work as part of a close team as well as the wider Department.
  
  
• Good communication skills with experience of developing and presenting arguments and proposals, both financial and operational, using models as appropriate to support findings.
  
  
• As a member of the Pricing Committee, explaining the financial analysis of company requests and decisions on the pricing of new medicines and price increases of existing medicines in accordance with the voluntary and statutory scheme rules. Ability to present the findings in a succinct and comprehensive way for appropriate decisions is essential.
  
  
• Experience in developing solutions to support process improvement and extensive Excel experience for building financial models to support financial analysis of the pricing of new medicines and price increases for existing medicines.
  
  
• Ability to develop, implement and maintain systems and service standards of the branded medicines online portal in line with the Schemes and Scheme changes.
  
  
• Up-to-date membership of one of the UK accounting bodies and be a CCAB,CIMA or equivalent fully qualified accountant.

Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds.  Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration and enhancing team working, learning, and support. 

You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. 

Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need. 

There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme 2023-2024. Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,025, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £10,806 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, Strengths and Experience.

Sift date: W/C 06/04/24

Interview date: expected W/C 20/05/24

Interview location: 

• London : 39 Victoria Street, Westminster. London SW1H 0EU
• Leeds : Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS27PD

The available interview slots will be released with the sift scores. 

Applications will be sifted on CV and  Statement of Suitability 

Please use your CV to set out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role. These can be found in the ‘key skills and experience required for the role’ section of the advert.  Please also include a list of your relevant qualifications.

Please use your statement of suitability to (in no more than 500 words) outline how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role as set out in the job advert. 

An initial sift based on CV may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours and Strengths. 

To find out more about working in the department please visit our page on the Civil Service Careers Website here 

Applicants who are appointable but were not successful in appointment to this vacancy, may be held on a reserve list for up to 12 months, and contacted if similar vacancies become available. 

Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. 

Please note that applicants will require BPSS clearance. 

Memberships and Qualifications required for the role will be checked and verified by the vacancy holder as part of the onboarding process. You may also be asked to provide evidence that any qualifications obtained overseas are equivalent to those advertised.

This role is being advertised on a permanent basis. If preferable, Loan or Secondment options will also be available for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited NDPBs or any other employer (Secondment). 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.

Terms and Conditions

Candidates should note that DHSC’s Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful. 

New Entrants to the Civil Service

New entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions:

• Annual Leave: 25 days on entry rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff
• Privilege Leave: 1 day - for the King’s birthday
• Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
• Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): one month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months’ full pay and five months’ half pay
• Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allow staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
• Probation: 6 month probation period

Existing Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotion

All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above). 

Existing DHSC staff, appointed on either level transfer or promotion

If DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSC’s pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to DHSC 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

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 @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 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. 

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

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.

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.