Details Reference number 352394 Salary £31,745 - £34,280 This role may attract an Accountancy pay enhancement of £1,310 Part-Qualified Stage 1, £2,610 Part-Qualified Stage 2, £7,105 Qualified A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27% GBP Job grade Higher Executive Officer Contract type Fixed term Length of employment Up to 31/03/2025 Type of role Finance Working pattern Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time Number of jobs available 1 Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Cardiff, Wales, CF10 1EP : Edinburgh, Scotland, EH8 8FT : Leicester, East Midlands (England), LE4 5SP : Didcot, South East England, OX11 0QR About the job Job summary Background: The UK Space Agency The UK Space Agency (UKSA) is an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) and provides technical advice on the governments space strategy, supporting the UK space sector to deliver the governments vision. Space is a part of everyday life. Satellites underpin our national economy, from agriculture and banking to aviation and shipping, and support our national security. Space science provides critical data to understand and address global challenges such as climate change, while missions to explore our solar system unite nations and advance humanitys horizons. We support a thriving space sector in the UK, which generates an annual income of £16.5 billion and employs 47,000 people across the country. Through our portfolio of programmes and projects, we encourage the development of national space capabilities and are an early-stage investor in space research and development. We also promote the UK space sectors interests and achievements; make connections to join up industry and academia; and represent the UK in international space programmes. We have a powerful global voice, partnering with institutions across the world, including the European Space Agency. More information about the Agency is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency To discover more please watch this film https://www.youtube.com/watch?vZbZZ-o0IkVU Our Inclusive Environment We have an inclusive culture to make UK Space Agency a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions. We offer first-class flexible working benefits, excellent employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive. We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion. The post holder will work collaboratively to provide financial challenge and support across the Agency and may be asked to undertake other duties in addition to those listed below. Reporting to the Senior Executive Officer (SEO) Financial Accountant, this role will be responsible for the following duties: Management of the Purchase Order inbox and the Purchase Order (PO) requisitions process for the Agency across all directorates and budgets, supported by an Executive Officer (EO) Finance Assistant. Applying the Agencys delegation scheme and procurement policies to ensure all Purchase Order requests adhere to internal controls. Responsible for undertaking assurance and compliance testing of internal controls with a strong link to the continuous development of the agencys assurance map. Responsible for overseeing that Goods Received Not Invoiced, No PO no pay and Invoices on hold monthly processes are actioned, supported by the EO Finance Assistant. Responsible for leading on the Agencys Counterparty and Intercompany Recharges processes. Leading on the collation and initial analysis of the Agencys Gifts and Hospitality register. Responsible for managing the Agencys travel data, and providing Travel & Subsistence policy related advice. Point of contact for the National Audit Office with responsibility for the Audit evidence pack. Responsible for monthly housekeeping journals. Line Management responsibility for an EO Finance Assistant who will be supporting the Financial Accounts function. Person specification Essential criteria Highly numerate individual with strong analytical skills Good knowledge of Excel Excellent written skills and an ability to explain complex financial information to non-finance audience Ability to communicate across all levels Strong negotiation and influencing skills to influence senior management as well as senior programme leads or technical experts Significant experience of working in a finance team. Ability to work on own initiative and under pressure with competing demands to tight deadlines Ability to work proactively to anticipate issues and develop options/solutions in order to prevent escalation Proven interpersonal skills with an ability to work within own team as well as with colleagues in other parts of the organisation Willingness to learn and provide support within the wider finance team Desirable criteria CCAB qualified / part qualified or can demonstrate qualification by experience Advanced knowledge of Excel and accounting systems Demonstrable experience of using management information to support and improve overall operational delivery Experience/knowledge of Oracle financial system, Purchasing Module and General Ledger Module Experience of working within a central government department and/or a Shared Service Centre environment Experience of having had line management responsibilities Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Delivering at Pace Changing and Improving Communicating and Influencing Working Together Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Provide an example of when you have had to reconcile an account and explain the steps you took Benefits Alongside your salary of £31,745, UK Space Agency contributes £8,571 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. UK Space Agency offers a competitive mix of benefits including: A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours. Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27% A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30. An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue. Access to a range of retail, travel, and lifestyle employee discounts. A generous maternity/paternity and adoption leave package. This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (your permanent duty station which is based on business assessment of where the work is best done) and working from home, or elsewhere, as a personal choice (if the role is suitable for this). If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. UK Space Agency is undergoing a transformation programme which may impact your role, line manager and/or location in the future. We will share more details with you as they become known. As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, Personal Statement (maximum 500 words), Behaviour examples and Technical Skill example. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. Please use your personal statement to tell us why you are suitable for this role and provide examples. The CV is for information and will not be scored. The Sift will be assessed on Personal Statement, Behaviours and Technical Skill. Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour Delivering At Pace. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview. The Interview will be assessed on Behaviours and Technical Skill. Sift and interview dates Expected Timeline subject to change The sift is expected to take place week commencing 3rd June 2024. Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 17th June 2024 The Interview location will be MS Teams Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process. Further information This post is advertised as a Fixed term contract for a period up to 31st March 2025. Civil Servants: 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. Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). UK Space Agency Employees: You must seek approval from your substantive manager before applying for any non-permanent vacancy, this includes applying for a new post during an existing temporary posting. Please note that if applying for a temporary post within UK Space Agency or elsewhere on promotion, successful appointment will not automatically result in a permanent promotion - you will revert to your current substantive grade at the end of the Fixed Term or Loan period (unless funding has been approved to make the post permanent). 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 uksarecruitment.grscabinetoffice.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 youre deaf, a Language Service Professional. 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 maybe carried out. Any move to UK Space Agency 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ A reserve list will be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made. Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. 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 directly. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checkscabinetoffice.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 Infodisclosurescotland.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 applicants 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. Feedback 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