Northwood Job Summary The Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) is a 3* led HQ, based at Northwood leading and running overseas operations, and consists of approx. 400 staff; a mix of military and Civil Servants. PJHQ J8, headed by a Senior Civil Servant, is responsible for the financial management (costing, forecasting and governance) of spending at overseas ops locations. The HEO, heads a small team, responsible for co-ordinating PJHQ J8 Fin ops governance and assurance plan, collating the necessary evidence to demonstrate Operations meet UKStratCom and other audit bodies audit requirements. The role is also the lead for low value procurement, enabling and supporting Operations with non-contract procurement. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Job Description The Deputy Manager Permissions and Assurance, is responsible for co-ordinating PJHQ J8 Fin Ops Governance and Assurance. To lead on the coherency and continuity of Fin Ops, both overseas and J8, for finance delivery and assurance activities. Ensuring J8 can demonstrate assurance is comprehensive and meets as a minimum, UKStratCom Compliance Review criteria of Substantial Assurance The post holder is responsible for the following areas of activity; Liaison with deployed PJHQ, Civilian Secretariat and finance staff and military personnel to support and advise Operational Theatre’s, ensuring Governance and assurance processes are understood, adhered to and practiced. Co-ordination of ARAc and ICAF Quarterly Returns and compilation of evidence to meet TLB, DIA and NAO assurance requirements and audit. Review, development and implementation of the J8 Fin Op’s Governance and Assurance framework, and to align with UKStratCom Template. Non Contract Procurement – To ensure Fin ops drive forward compliance with TLB and FMPA guidance, to reduce reliance on Cash Offices where appropriate. The line management of an SO3 is responsible for management of pan operations LVP and Fin Op’s portfolio of Electronic Procurement Cards (ePC) To develop and maintain Fin Ops Governance and Assurance processes and controls. To design appropriate controls to support the new delegation framework. To act as PJHQ J8 Fin Ops Fraud Focal Point To support and monitor spend on projects in the UK and overseas. To assist with development and implementation of coherent and consistent processes across J8 for accounting, forecasting, In-Year reporting templates and business case processing. To contribute to the delivery of a planned audit assurance program The Deputy Manager Permissions and Assurance, is responsible for co-ordinating PJHQ J8 Fin Ops Governance and Assurance. To lead on the coherency and continuity of Fin Ops, both overseas and J8, for finance delivery and assurance activities. Ensuring J8 can demonstrate assurance is comprehensive and meets as a minimum, UKStratCom Compliance Review criteria of Substantial Assurance The post holder is responsible for the following areas of activity; Liaison with deployed PJHQ, Civilian Secretariat and finance staff and military personnel to support and advise Operational Theatre’s, ensuring Governance and assurance processes are understood, adhered to and practiced. Co-ordination of ARAc and ICAF Quarterly Returns and compilation of evidence to meet TLB, DIA and NAO assurance requirements and audit. Review, development and implementation of the J8 Fin Op’s Governance and Assurance framework, and to align with UKStratCom Template. Non Contract Procurement – To ensure Fin ops drive forward compliance with TLB and FMPA guidance, to reduce reliance on Cash Offices where appropriate. The line management of an SO3 is responsible for management of pan operations LVP and Fin Op’s portfolio of Electronic Procurement Cards (ePC) To develop and maintain Fin Ops Governance and Assurance processes and controls. To design appropriate controls to support the new delegation framework. To act as PJHQ J8 Fin Ops Fraud Focal Point To support and monitor spend on projects in the UK and overseas. To assist with development and implementation of coherent and consistent processes across J8 for accounting, forecasting, In-Year reporting templates and business case processing. To contribute to the delivery of a planned audit assurance program Person specification We are looking for a hardworking and enthusiastic individual with strong interpersonal, organisational and collaborative skills to join our motivated and upbeat team! Providing Business Support directly to a Grade 7, responsible for pan global assurance on MoD’s operations, working closely across the broader Division, and with personnel deployed forward. You will be required to engage effectively with multiple partners across different grades in both PJHQ and across external organisations. The applicant needs to be a well organised, self-motivated individual who has the ability to prioritise and manage a full workload whilst balancing business needs. Licences It is mandatory to hold or to secure within the first 3 months of appointment. FCF1 - Understanding the principles of Government Finance FCF2 - Financial Governance (desirable) Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Changing and Improving Managing a Quality Service Working Together Communicating and Influencing Alongside your salary of £36,530, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,582 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Northwood HQ is a well-served site, offering a variety of facilities such as gym, nursery, salon and local shop. Transport links are good with a regular shuttle service to Moor Park tube station and limited access to free on-site parking (subject to capacity and on first come first served basis). There are several catering options and opportunities to join the Northwood Officers' Mess. As a civil servant, flexible working is encouraged and opportunities for professional and personal development are available and tailored to your role. The Permanent Joint Headquarters promotes and values a culture of inclusion and diversity within its 400 staff of military and civil service personnel. Additional benefits include a Civil Service Pension, and an annual leave allowance starting at 25 days, increasing annually thereafter. 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% 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. Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. The application process consists of a CV, statement of suitability (250 Words) and evidence against the Civil Service Success Profiles. The selection process will be an initial sift, with a shortlist of candidates invited to an interview, which will give those selected an opportunity to explain the Behaviours in more details as well as an opportunity to meet the recruiting line manager. Candidates will be required to complete an online application, which will include a CV template (include job history, details of qualifications and previous experiences and skills) and space for the Success Profile statements, as well as space for you to highlight your own suitability for the role. Please provide experience relevant to the role as described in the job description and responsibilities. Interviews will be conducted at Northwood. Please ensure you list your contact details in your application. At sift, you will be assessed against your CV and Statement of suitability and the following behaviours: Changing and Improving Managing a Quality Service Working Together Communicating and Influencing At interview, you will be assessed against the following behaviours: Changing and Improving Managing a Quality Service Working Together Communicating and Influencing Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. 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. The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment. The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out. 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. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. 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 (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. 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 (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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 (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. 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. 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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) 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 Job Contact Name : Wayne Mitchell Email : wayne.mitchell222@mod.gov.uk Telephone : 01923 955828 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.