Finance and Commercial Lead

Job summary

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

The Asylum Group brings together Asylum & Human Rights, Asylum Policy, Asylum Accommodation, Asylum Support, and Hotel Exits Delivery Unit. The Asylum Group has been formed to put focus on the one of the Government’s and Department’s top priorities, which is reforming the asylum system.

Asylum & Human Rights Operations is one of the key business areas within the Home Office. Alongside the other areas of the Home Office, the department is going through a transformational programme. Operational Excellence is at the forefront of what we do.

The vision of Asylum & Human Rights Operations (AHRO) is to be a world-leading immigration service, working for a safe and prosperous UK. We will carry out our vision through the delivery of four strategic missions: to control migration, deliver world-class customer service, safeguard the vulnerable and their host communities, making AHRO a great place to work.

The Irregular Migration Intake Unit (IMIU), which sits within AHRO, is responsible for the timely processing of irregular migrants, consisting of the registration and screening of those arriving in the UK irregularly, locking the identity of asylum claimants from small boat arrivals, lorry drops and other clandestine arrivals.

IMIU consists of the Kent Intake Unit (KIU), Midlands Intake Unit (MIU) within Yarl’s Wood IRC, Intake Response Team (IRT), Manston Onsite Operations, Manston Remote Operations, the Co-ordination Hub, and the Operational Enablement functions.

Job description

The Finance Team plays a critical role in overseeing the IMIU budget, ensuring all expenditure aligns with spend controls and delivers value for money. We work closely with the Budget Holder to guide spending decisions and ensure resources are allocated appropriately and efficiently. The team also supports strategic decision making by providing accurate and timely financial data to the Senior Leadership Team.

The Finance and Commercial Lead will play a pivotal role in delivering this work, leading financial analysis, monitoring expenditure, and developing financial reports. They will ensure the team produces high‑quality documentation, maintains accurate records, and promotes a strong financial culture where value for money can be demonstrated.

Alongside this, the role involves managing day‑to‑day communication with customers, suppliers, external contractors, and colleagues. The post-holder will support the management of commercial contracts, identify process improvements, and help ensure accountability across the team.

This position requires a high level of independence, with the post‑holder expected to work proactively within their responsibilities while demonstrating a strong understanding of financial principles and procedures. It offers the opportunity to influence decision making, shape strong financial and commercial practices, and build effective relationships.

The post‑holder must hold, or be willing to gain within six months, Contract Management Foundation‑level accreditation.

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities for this role will include but are not limited to:

• Manage IMIU’s Financial Operations - Oversee all financial aspects including record‑keeping, transactions, reporting, budgeting procedures, financial analysis for business planning, month‑end reporting, and inspection of General Ledgers.
• Identify and Mitigate Risks - Proactively identify risks to delivery, escalating issues and recommending mitigating actions as required.
• Oversee Contracts and Procurement - Support and monitor contracts and purchases, either directly or through the team, throughout their lifecycle to ensure they deliver against objectives.
• Drive Portfolio Delivery and Compliance - Work with stakeholders and enablers to deliver portfolio priorities, ensuring adherence to internal requirements and Government Spend Controls.
• Collaborate with Commercial and Finance Partners - Partner with commercial and finance colleagues to support delivery and ensure compliance with processes and guidance.
• Manage Key Stakeholder Relationships - Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including commercial, finance, and operational teams.
• Lead and Develop the Team - Manage, motivate, and develop team members, including geographically dispersed staff, through coaching, mentoring, and fostering continuous improvement.
• Provide Governance for IMIU Fleet and Promote Financial Awareness - Lead governance and assurance of the IMIU fleet vehicles and identify opportunities to strengthen financial awareness across IMIU.

Working Pattern

This role is available on a full-time basis with the option of compressed hours working. This role is also suitable for part-time working hours, with a minimum requirement to work 4 days / 30 hours] per week due to business requirements.

Travel

Travel to IMIU sites may be required, including some overnight stays. T&S will be paid in line with policy. Applicants will be expected to attend the workplace for visits, meetings, or training for 60% of the week with the possibility of the remainder being home working.

If applying for the role at Manston (which is based near Ramsgate), please note local transport does not serve Manston and therefore post-holders need to ensure they can attend the location.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

The successful applicant will need to demonstrate the following;

• Experience of working with contracts and/or finance – demonstrating experience in financial analysis, budgeting and risk management.
• Experience of working within Government Guidelines/policies ensuring compliance throughout.
• Experience of initiating and leading improvement activity, ensuring changes result in clear, measurable outcomes for the organisation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, that can be deployed to a range of audiences and be proficient in drafting messaging and correspondence for external and internal customers and partners.
• Experience of having strong analytical skills to spot emerging trends.
• Evidence of the ability to present complex data in an understandable format.

Desirable Criteria

• Accredited Contract Manager at Contract Management Foundation level, demonstrating the ability to apply structured contract management principles to ensure value for money, effective supplier performance, and robust governance.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
• Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
• 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 employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.

1. Application – by 18th February 2026

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

• Personal Statement (maximum 1000 words).

The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.

For guidance and information on how to construct your application (Personal Statement), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.

2. Sift – week commencing 23rd February 2026

The sift will be held on the Personal Statement.

3. Interview – week commencing 16th March 2026

If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Behaviours (as listed in the job advert) and Strength based questions.

The interview will take place via Microsoft Teams

For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.

Problems during the application process

If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you’ve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact hocandidates.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.

Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.

You will only be able to select a single location preference so please ensure this is a location that you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at your preferred location and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.

All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

Additional Security Checks

As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. The level of Criminal Record Check required for this role is Basic Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Serviceon 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.

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is 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 HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.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 you're 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.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

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 counter-terrorist 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

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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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 : horccampaignteamhmpoandukvi@homeoffice.gov.uk
• Email : horccampaignteamhmpoandukvi@homeoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service recruitment principles and you wish to make a complaint, then contact the Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

2025-11-17 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) Opens in new window (pdf, 231kB)candidate_information_v16_January_2026 Opens in new window (pdf, 429kB)