Job Description

Details

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Reference number

400704
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Salary

44,590
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
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Job grade

Senior Executive Officer###

Contract type

Permanent###

Business area

MOD - Strategic Command###

Type of role

Finance###

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time###

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Northwood Headquarters, Sandy Lane, Greater London

About the job

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Job summary

As the Defence integrator, UK Strategic Command (UKStratCom) sits at the heart of Defence, giving us the winning edge in an ever-uncertain and competitive world. Every single operation relies on the connectivity and skills we offer the whole of the Armed Forces.The UKStratCom Finance Function supports nine Service Directorates - the Headquarters; Defence Medical Services; Defence Intelligence; Defence Digital; Special Forces; National Cyber Force; Directorate of Overseas Bases; Defence Support; and Permanent Joint Headquarters. Following implementation of Finance Transformation (FinTx) in January 2025, the function is now made up of over 180 finance personnel across Finance Operations, Specialist Services, Finance Business Partnering Teams and Finance Military Operations.


Strategic Command's Finance Continuous Improvement (CI) SEO is accountable to the CI G7 Team Leader and Deputy Director Finance Operations & Specialist Services for driving continuous improvement of our finance ways of working, specifically for developing and implementing effective and efficient processes, and data exploitation to provide valuable management information and decision support. The incumbent's real purpose is to strive for greater innovation and better value for money, including opportunities to build greater resilience and efficiency within the finance workforce (including J2C).


The role requires working across all Strategic Command's finance Service Directorates within our central Service Delivery Model, the principal service users - the HLB holders and other relevant stakeholders to identify, prioritise and action opportunities to improve current financial processes and ways of working through process re-engineering, data exploitation, automation, training, and tooling.


The role also requires building and maintaining an extended network of finance contacts within the wider MOD including Main Building and other Commands to leverage good practice to the benefit of Strategic Command finance.


This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

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Job description

The Continuous Improvement SEO is responsible for:


Finance CI Leadership:

Using their technical Finance knowledge and detailed understanding of Finance processes, the CI lead will lead the identification and delivery of CI opportunities across UKStratCom. Working with the FinTx Programme Manager to define and implement Strategic Command's finance CI methodology. Engaging with the Finance and Business Management functions to develop a culture of CI that enables effective identification of opportunities to improve current processes and ways of working. Implementing and managing a backlog of opportunities and supporting the FinTx Programme Manager to prioritise delivery against programme and organisational goals Managing and controlling in-flight opportunities, providing sufficient management information to report progress, risks, issues and to forecast delivery times to the Programme Manager and stakeholders Maintaining effective configuration control of Strategic Command's finance processes and publicising process changes and updates to the finance community and other stakeholders Leading and managing delivery and implementation of CI products by working with the CI team, the product customers, and relevant delivery services such as the Digital, Data and Automation (DDA) team and the Data and Management Information Service (DMIS). Supporting and contributing to 'Scrum' events and engaging in agile delivery

Finance CI Culture:

Championing a focus on benefits and value-creation by identifying, documenting, and baselining product benefits, as well as developing a plan to measure impact and benefits realisation over time. Embedding a continuous improvement culture across the finance function

Finance CI Product Development:

Liaising with relevant policy owners and identifying Product and Process Owners to support development, implementation, and ongoing support for new solutions. Providing assurance that any new solutions are legal and compliant, including, but not limited to, Data Protection rules and regulations. Engaging with counterparts across MOD to identify efficiencies through re-purposing of established solutions and / or collaborating on new initiatives. ###

Person specification

Desirable Qualifications:

MOD Mandatory Training Finance Skills Foundation Qualified accountant or studying towards a CCAB qualification

Desirable Experience:

Experience in a Finance environment, with knowledge of Finance processes and tools. Experience of leading teams. Experience of working within UKStratCom. Experience of Agile delivery and Scrum methodology - formal qualifications can be sought through Programme Solarium. Experience in a Continuous Improvement / Change environment, including change good practise, digital skills (e.g. PowerApps), lean methodologies (e.g. Six Sigma) - upskilling can be provided as part of the role. ###

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:


Leadership Communicating and Influencing Changing and Improving Making Effective Decisions Seeing the Big Picture

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

Leadership Communicating and Influencing Changing and Improving

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 44,590, Ministry of Defence contributes 12,917 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Some of the many benefits you will receive:

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 employer contribution of 28.97% Highly competitive pension scheme. Flexi-time scheme upon completion of six months service or the Line Manager has the ability to adopt flexible working sooner than the 6 month period. 25 days paid annual leave rising (one day per year) to 30 days upon completion of five years' service. If by chance you have previously completed service in the Public Sector in the past five years, you may be eligible to request 30 days leave immediately. (Evidence will be required). In addition to annual leave you will be entitled to eight Public Bank Holidays per year. Professional and Personal Development of skills with the opportunity to undergo an Apprenticeship in Human Resources. Opportunity to join more than one of our many networks (Race, LGBT+, Gender, Disability and Faith & Belief). Minimum of 18 Days Special Paid Leave in a rolling 12-month period for Public Duties commitments (such as a Magistrate). Special Paid Leave for community volunteering up to 12 days a year for Special Constables and six days a year for other volunteering. Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave. Other facilities are Sports & Social facilities and a Gym complex, as well as onsite Mess & Retail shops. Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.


The post does not offer relocation expenses.


External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.


Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.


Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.


Any move to MOD 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/.


The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.


MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey - We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
A CV setting out your career history, qualification details, experience with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.


A Personal Statement (no more than 750 words) explaining how your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role.


The CV and Personal Statement will be assessed at sift and are weighted equally in their scoring, so it's important to consider this when uploading your application. Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.


At sift you will be assessed against the following:

Behaviours

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Leadership Changing & Improving Communicating and Influencing

CV and Personal Statement

: Evidence of Experience in a Finance Environment, Experience of Leading Teams


When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.


If your written application is successful, you will be invited to an in person to an interview , where you will be assessed against the following Behaviours:

Leadership Communicating and Influencing Changing and Improving Seeing the Big Picture Making Effective Decisions

Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities. Throughout, the Command's transformation programme is committed to following the MOD's framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command's personnel and Trade Unions


The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .


As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.


Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn





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



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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .



See our vetting charter .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.###

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.###

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .
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.###

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.###

Contact point for applicants

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Job contact :

Name : Debbie Ames Email : debbie.ames883@mod.gov.uk
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Recruitment team

Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3@mod.gov.uk ###

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.