Reference: DFIDJOB-0093
Closing date: 09 September 2011
Interview date: Not Specified
Number of vacancies: 1
Salary: £58,200 - £117,800 per annum
Location: Abercrombie House, East Kilbride
Appointment Terms: Permanent
Working Arrangements: Full time
Specific requirements:
Brief description: The postholder will be responsible for setting the strategic vision for finance in DFID – the finance operating model, our risk and control model, the development and deployment of finance skills and capability – delivering improvements in quality together with operational efficiencies.
Department background and context for the role
Ministers have laid out an ambitious approach to get value for money from all of DFID’s growing aid spend and to deliver large scale results to change lives for poor people. It is essential that DFID is able to demonstrate strong financial management of this growing budget (£8bn increasing to £11bn) – key challenges for us and some areas for improvement were laid out in a recent Financial Management Review conducted by the National Audit Office which recommended a forward strategy of improving finance capability (Finance Improvement Plan).
The value for money approach set by Ministers is high profile and ambitious. However added to this, and in-line with much of the Civil Service at this time, the administration budget for Finance and Corporate Performance Division – FCPD - (where the department this post will lead sits) is being reduced. As a result, the wider structure and operating model for the teams that comprise FCPD have been recently redesigned. The new structure will be operational from September 2011.
The new structure focuses increased resources on driving financial management improvement across the organisation, stepping up work on risk and control, including fraud risk, and ensuring our finance process and systems are fit for purpose for the challenges we face. Savings on transactional and other areas will be necessary to deliver this.
We think the new operating model has great potential to deliver against the ambitious agenda set by Ministers – but it is going to be a challenge and needs a skilled, visionary leader to bring it all together. We are therefore looking for a high calibre, innovative, inspiring finance professional with a track record of transforming finance functions in strategic and senior roles to lead this significant change, ensuring the DFID is equipped with the finance capability we need to deliver value for money from aid.
Summary of role
To lead DFID’s central finance function, delivering improved standards of financial management across the organisation:
The postholder will be responsible for setting the strategic vision for finance in DFID – the finance operating model, our risk and control model, the development and deployment of finance skills and capability – delivering improvements in quality together with operational efficiencies.
As Head of the Finance Profession, the post holder is responsible for leading a growing cadre of finance specialists, building finance capability in both finance and non-finance staff, representing DFID with the Government Finance Profession.
Relationships are key to delivery – the postholder will build highly effective relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders, including operational Directors, Internal Audit Department, HMT and NAO.
As a result of the review to restructure and reorganise the Division, the post will lead a team of around 35 people. Leadership and inspiring staff to deliver is clearly a vital element of this role, particularly during a major programme of change. This post is a great opportunity to lead on this critical area at a challenging time for the organisation.
Responsibilities
Key areas of responsibility:
As well as overseeing DFID’s financial accounting and operations, the postholder will:
a) lead, manage and inspire a department of 35 staff.
b) lead the implementation of a Finance Improvement Plan, driving up standards of financial management across the organisation and championing finance improvement.
c) ensure that DFID’s finance systems are fit for purpose, including through system development and through transforming business processes
d) review DFID’s finance operating model, including roles and responsibilities across the global network, to deliver efficiencies in transactional operations, both in the UK and overseas
e) lead work to manage DFID’s exposure to risk, including fraud risk, and ensure control systems are adequate and appropriate to the global operating environment
f) provide high quality technical advice on innovative financial instruments, for example, equity vehicles for private sector growth
g) develop and implement proposals to improve the efficiency and quality of finance functions including treasury, banking, and payment processes
h) develop and lead a strategy for finance professionalism across DFID
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