Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Location - London, Milton Keynes, East Kilbride Job Summary The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office pursues our national interests and projects the UK’s role in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK’s security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners. We employ more than 17,000 staff in 179 countries and territories, across our diplomatic and development offices worldwide, which consists of 282 officially designated Posts. Our UK-based staff work in King Charles Street, London, Abercrombie House in East Kilbride and in Milton Keynes. Finance Directorate is at the heart of the FCDO, enabling the FCDO to operate and deliver its five core priorities. We implement policy and deliver public-facing services, internal operations, projects and programmes and statutory commitments, whilst protecting value for money, ensuring transparency, and managing risks. The Finance Business Partnering team is a key area within the Directorate, supporting Director General (DG) areas to strengthen financial management, providing strategic decision-making support (e.g. workforce planning, programming and policy) and ensuring value for money for the UK taxpayer. We provide day-to-day support to FCDO senior management and play a key role in in-year financial decisions, providing timely, accurate financial management information and advice. We are a bridge to the business and other areas of finance, such as Strategic Finance and Official Development Assistance (ODA) Management and HM Treasury. The team is made up of roughly 80 Finance Business Partners (FBPs), including Country Based Staff in the six overseas FBP Hubs. We are a mix of finance specialists and those studying towards accountancy qualifications. We are a welcoming and supportive team and making our team a great place to work is at the heart of what we do. Job Description Working for FCDO means you may be involved in high profile international issues. Recent examples of issues that required significant input include Ukraine and Sudan. You may also have the opportunity for international travel to meet FCDO colleagues based around the world delivering our overseas work. This would be occasional, once or twice a year, if required. Roles And Responsibilities In this role you will be responsible for: Supporting your Director(s), Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and key stakeholders to effectively deliver their business plans by providing a high quality finance business partnering service alongside others in your team. Using system Management Information (MI) to provide quality, timely and accurate performance analysis, reporting and recommendations to facilitate your Director’s effective decision making and improving standards of financial management in the FCDO. Conducting challenge meetings with Directors to promote accountability, ensuring Value for Money (VFM) and supporting the business to enable them to contribute to the production of better financial information, including forecasting. Supporting the Senior Finance Business Partner to ensure that the business completes all finance returns and other corporate initiatives and policies. Supporting strategic finance exercises including business planning, resource allocation and strategic workforce planning. Contributing to the maintenance and strengthening of the internal control environment to mitigate risks and providing support to internal and external audits. You will also be expected to take on a corporate goal which is a great learning and development opportunity. We are committed to developing all staff to their full potential – both through on the job experience, formal Learning & Development and bespoke training, where appropriate. Person specification It is essential in your application that you provide evidence and proven examples in each of the following Minimum Criteria and Behaviours as far as you are able to do so. These responses will be further developed and discussed with those candidates invited for interview. You must be a British Citizen at the time of application and, if invited to interview, you will need to bring proof of identity (British Passport/Driving Licence etc.) with you. This role requires you to attain Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance. For more information about this process, click here. Attaining DV will require you to have been resident in the UK for five of the last ten years. At least one year of this must have been a consecutive twelve-month period. Serving overseas with HM Forces, in some other official capacity as a representative of His Majesty’s Government or having lived overseas as a result of your parents’ or partner’s Government employment counts as UK residency for the purposes of security clearances. Minimum Criteria Qualified Accountant with CCAB, CIMA CIPFA, ICAEW, ICAS, ICAI, ACCA (or equivalent), or Part Qualified, with significant financial experience. Ability to analyse, manage and present complex financial information clearly, both verbally and in writing, to support organisational decision-making. Ability to understand different financial planning and budgeting techniques and their application in different contexts. Advanced practical skills in one or more area of management accounting and cost analysis, investment finance, treasury management, planning and budgeting and financial accounting. Ability to set and interpret financial policy in the above areas, combined with sound business knowledge, providing advice, guidance and leadership to others. Proactive and solutions-based approach and a focus on continuous improvement of self and service, with an appetite to work with others to simplify processes and improve efficiency. Qualifications Qualified Accountant with CCAB, CIMA CIPFA, ICAEW, ICAS, ICAI, ACCA (or equivalent), or Part Qualified, with significant financial experience. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Working Together Making Effective Decisions We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Motivation Question at Interview Presentation at interview