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Finance Business Partner

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

Department
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
Location
London, Birmingham, Salford, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Darlington
Openings
2 posts
Grade
Grade 7
Salary
£58,275 to £71,040
Closing
12 days left
Profession
Finance
Contract
Permanent
Security clearance
SC
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Apply on Civil Service Jobs

Job summary

At DSIT we’re all about improving people’s lives by maximising the potential of science & technology.

We accelerate innovation, investment and productivity through world-class science, research and development.

We use technology for good by ensuring new and existing technologies are safely developed and deployed across the UK, with the benefits more widely shared.

We are driving forward a modern digital government which gives citizens a more satisfying experience and their time back.

We do all this to enable the Government’s 5 national missions: kickstarting economic growth, making Britain a clean energy superpower, taking back our streets, breaking down barriers to opportunity and building an NHS fit for the future.

Above all, we focus on improving people’s lives. Whether it’s researching new treatments for disease, developing better batteries, reducing burdens through better public services, keeping children safe online, and much more, outcomes for citizens are at the heart of what we do.

Our Inclusive Environment

We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.

Please note

Former DSIT recruitment campaigns are continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be subject to the machinery of government moves and will ultimately be in one of the new departments. We will provide more information if you are selected for a role. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.

What they’re looking for

  • Provide expert financial advice, challenge and insight to senior leaders, influencing strategic and operational decisions.
  • Lead financial planning, forecasting and reporting for business areas, ensuring alignment with BIST’s goals and Managing Public Money.
  • Build strong, trusted relationships with Directors and stakeholders, acting as the primary point of contact for finance.
  • Support effective financial oversight of the ALB portfolio, working with sponsorship, policy and finance teams to understand allocations, risks, performance and governance requirements.
  • Support development of credible business cases, financial appraisals and Accounting Officer assessments.
  • Use financial data, analysis and tools to identify trends, risks, opportunities and future pressures.
  • Promote strong financial governance by challenging weaknesses in controls and process compliance.
  • Engage early in policy development to ensure financial considerations shape proposals and programme design.
  • Support and coach colleagues to build financial capability across the business and within the finance profession.
  • As a line manager, you will be responsible for working with your members of staff to define their objectives, as well as managing their development and performance.
  • Essential Criteria
  • Fully qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent) or willing to work towards qualification with significant relevant experience
  • Experience providing high-quality strategic financial advice, insight and constructive challenge to senior leaders, including on risks, trade-offs and affordability. Strong financial planning and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret budgets, forecasts and performance data to drive evidence-based decisions.
  • Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with confidence to build trusted relationships and challenge senior colleagues.
  • Knowledge of financial governance, business case development and Managing Public Money and Accounting Officer assurance principles.
  • Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and persuasively to nonfinance audiences.
  • Desirable Criteria
  • Experience in a finance partnering or strategic finance role in government.
  • Experience working with or supporting ALBs, sponsorship teams or public body oversight.
  • Understanding of government financial frameworks such as MPM, FReM and Consolidated Budgeting Guidance.

Behaviours you’ll be assessed on

This advert says the panel will score you against these behaviours at Grade 7 level. Each one links to worked examples.

Job description

The roles being advertised are part of the Growth, Science, International and Technology Finance Business Partner Team. The team covers funding from fundamental science and research delivered through partner organisations including UK Research and Innovation and the Advanced Research and Invention Agency, to development of emerging technologies such as Quantum and Engineering Biology, investment in key UK technology sectors and delivery of major space programmes.

Finance Business Partners (FBPs) play a vital role in placing finance at the heart of decision-making across the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST). They act as trusted advisers to Directors and senior leaders, building strong relationships to provide high-quality financial insight, constructive challenge and strategic support. FBPs translate complex financial information into clear, actionable advice and work across policy, operational and commercial areas to influence outcomes, ensure value for money and keep the Accounting Officer safe. They lead and shape financial planning for their business areas, financial business cases, and identify risks, opportunities and emerging pressures. As business experts with strong communication and stakeholder skills, FBPs bridge the gap between the business and wider finance teams, ensuring alignment with Managing Public Money, internal controls and BIST’s priorities. They champion the use of data and evidence to strengthen financial management and support better decision-making.

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)

Selection process

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

Applications will be sifted on behavioural statements.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead behaviour statement (Communicating and Influencing) only.

The interview will consist of behaviour and strength-based questions.

Please note - the CV incorporated into the application form is for information purposes only and will not be scored.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Further Information

Former DSIT recruitment campaigns are continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be subject to the machinery of government moves and will ultimately be in one of the new departments. We will provide more information if you are selected for a role. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.

Information about the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and some examples of adjustments that we offer to disabled candidates and candidates with long-term health conditions during our recruitment process can be found in our DSIT Candidate Guidance. A DSIT Plain Text Version of the guidance is also available.

We encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section.

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 may be carried out.

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

A location based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.

Candidates who meet the minimum benchmark may be placed on a Reserve List for consideration for similar roles, including those at a lower grade. Candidates who narrowly miss the benchmark and are not placed on the Reserve List may still be considered for an offer in a similar role at a lower grade.

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

Any move to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

DSIT does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home).

DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

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

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

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.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Feedback

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

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Civil Service panels score every answer against the Success Profiles behaviours at Grade 7 level. Practise STAR answers and get them marked against the same framework.

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