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Things you need to know
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Location
About the job
Job summary
Are you passionate about effectively managing public finance to ensure value for money?
Do you have an eye for detail, a flair for organisation and an interest in the environment?
Would you like to work in small and dedicated Finance team with wide-ranging responsibilities across different aspects of finance, with an opportunity to shape how a new organisation works and achieves it aims?
If so, then we want to hear from you.
This role is based in the OEP’s Finance team under Chief of Staff (COS) Directorate. Our Finance team plays a critical role in supporting the OEP’s long term financial sustainability. From managing financial records and transactions to identifying risks and developing financial strategies, our Finance team oversees the health, transparency and effectiveness of OEP resources.
About OEP
The Office for Environmental Protection (the OEP) mission is to protect and recover the environment. Created by the Environment Act 2021, our role is to hold Government and public bodies to account. The OEP do this in several ways including reporting on progress against environmental targets, advising on changes to environmental laws and receiving complaints from the public which can lead to us taking enforcement action.
With a total staff of just over 70, we are a dynamic, friendly and flexible organisation covering both England, Northern Ireland, and environmental matters reserved to the UK government. We offer flexible working arrangements, high profile, dynamic work and the chance to have an impact on improving the state of the environment.
To find out more about the OEP, what we do, who we are and our current work, visit the OEP website .
The OEP is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra in England and DAERA in Northern Ireland which means it operates independently from Defra. Our employees are public servants and as part of the benefits package, employees have the opportunity to enrol in the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
Job description
This is an exciting opportunity to work with a small team of Finance professionals contributing towards the delivery of monthly management reports, annual accounts preparation and robust financial controls to ensure effective utilisation of resources to warrant value for money of public funds.
The OEP is recruiting for a minimum part qualified accountant or accountant with advanced MS Excel ability and good data analytical skills. The successful candidate will be a good collaborator, a highly motivated individual with initiative and the ability to multi- task and manage conflicting deadlines.
The post holder will report to the Principal Finance Officer within Finance team. They will assist in the preparation and completion of the team’s outputs, including:
- monthly management reports, monthly forecast,
- annual budget setting, annual report and accounts preparation,
- returns to external governing bodies, and
- maintenance of effective financial controls such as process improvement, control accounts reconciliation and annual audit working papers preparation.
The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post
Person specification
Essential Criteria;
- AAT, part qualified accountant or qualified accountant
- Experience in the production of monthly management accounts including KPI’s and forecasts
- Experience with co-ordinating and analysing financial data and working with senior members of staff to support effective financial management
- The ability to interpret and link pieces of information together to inform decision making
- Advanced Excel (or similar spreadsheet) user
- A flexible approach to work and the ability to manage and prioritise conflicting demands to meet deadlines.
- Proven experience in taking ownership of an area of responsibility
- Experience of using SAGE would be desirable but is not essential and training will be provided
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Changing and Improving
- Developing Self and Others
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Minimum part qualified accountant with the ability to synthesise and interpret financial data to inform decision making.
Benefits
Leave and Flexible Working
The OEP offers 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days over 5 years for all new entrants.
Additional paid leave is available where necessary to cater for a variety of situations including, but not limited to, family-related leave, volunteering days, exam and study leave, public duties and trade union activities. In addition, we offer a generous enhanced maternity leave, parental leave and shared parental leave policy.
The OEP is supportive of flexible working and has a flexible working policy to allow for variations in individuals working hours where this is compatible with business need.
Performance Management and In Year Bonus Scheme
The OEP is committed to promoting a high-performing culture for all employees. Performance and development management is key to developing trusting relationships between managers and employees so that they can be their best and thrive at work. Every individual will have a performance management plan which will be reviewed on a regular basis.
The OEP has a quarterly ‘In-year Bonus Scheme’ where individuals and/ or teams can be recognised for outstanding one-off contributions and achievements.
Learning and Development
The OEP is a learning organisation and strongly supports the continuous professional development of all employees through both personal and work related study. The OEP will pay for one relevant profession membership per employee to support continuous professional development.
Every employee has access to five days learning and development each year to support professional development. This could be through Civil Service Learning mandatory and voluntary learning, corporate inductions, staff events and welcome days as well as relevant professional qualifications and specific courses.
Staff Wellbeing
Staff wellbeing is extremely important and the OEP strives to provide access to numerous resources to aid the wellbeing of its employees. Current initiatives include:
Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing free and confidential 24/7 telephone advice and guidance to support employees with both personal and employment issues. This may include personal wellbeing, career development or legal matters such as landlord / tenant disputes.
Access to an Occupational Health Service to provide a range of support service to help with the way you feel at work.
Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders and wider Defra Group mental health first aid network and resources.
Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness, meditation and sleep app.
Access to a Financial Wellbeing Portal.
Free eye tests and a contribution to glasses/ lenses if required for VDU use.
Salary Sacrifice, Discounts and SmartTech Benefits
All employees have access to the STaR, Reward Gateway an online platform providing access to hundreds of discounts, offers and cashback options with well-known retailers. They offer a SmartTech scheme, a Cash Healthcare plan and numerous other benefits and services.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
The OEP uses the Civil Service Success Profile framework which is made up of five elements: Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical. It is strongly recommend you have a look at the Success Profiles to enable you to make the best application possible.
When writing or presenting behaviours, the OEP recommends you use the STAR format to present your answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV detailing qualifications and work history and a 750 word statement of suitability on how you meet the essential experience and skills criteria outlined in the person specification.
The personal statement is a very important part of your application. Review the person specification and essential experience and skills criteria on the job description and outline how you meet it providing specific and relevant examples. These could be from work, volunteering, training or education.
Further details are provided on the application form.
Sift
After the closing date, your application will be reviewed against the essential sift criteria outlined for the role.
Once the sift has concluded, applicants will be notified of the outcome shortly after the closing date. Please note that feedback will not be given to applications at sift stage.
Interview and ID Verification
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on experience, behaviours, and Technical elements.
At interview, you may be required to complete an additional exercise. If this is required, details will be sent alongside your invite to interview.
Interviews will be held In-personat the Worcester Office. Travel and subsistence costs will not be reimbursed for candidates travelling to interview.
Appointments
All appointments will be made in merit order.
Identification
Candidates will need to bring ID to interview for verification in person. Human Resources will contact you to advise what ID you need to bring.
Following interview, ID will need to be checked for Right to Work and BPSS security clearance. This will be done by secure online platforms via the Government Recruitment Service.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. All appointments will be made in merit order.
Near Miss Appointments
On occasion candidates may attend interview for the advertised post but will narrowly miss the standard required at interview. The OEP may, where appropriate, consider such candidates for alternative, similar posts at a lower grade.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
Location and Office Attendance
All OEP roles are based in Worcester and/ or Northern Ireland. This role is based in Worcester only.
All GB employees will be contractually based at the Worcester office. The OEP embraces a blended working model and supports a combination of office and home working which will be dependent on business need and individual circumstances. Our current office attendance approach requires 40% attendance in one of the OEP offices or on official OEP business at offsite meetings with partners and customers. This approach enables thriving workplaces to connect with colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs balanced with personal flexibility and choice.
If GB based, travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to the Worcester office.
Employees based in Northern Ireland will be contractually home based. There will be an expectation of travel to Worcester but this will be dependent on business need and individual circumstances. As a guideline, it’s envisaged that travel to Worcester would be between 4 and 6 times a year, fully funded by the OEP. However, travel will be a 2-way commitment, with other OEP staff members being expected to travel to NI at a similar frequency. Northern Ireland based staff currently have access to a touch down space in Belfast to enable collaborative working.
If the candidate is an internal candidate, they retain the right to their current contractual location unless TUPE restrictions apply. Home working contracts will not be issued for GB based staff.
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 the OEP at recruitment@theoep.org.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 you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Criminal Record Check
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Access NI 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.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please note that the OEP is not a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License Sponsor and is unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to the OEP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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
Working for the Civil Service
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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
