Finance Business Partner

Job summary

While predominantly known for the role Cafcass takes in supporting almost 130,000+ children and young people in family court cases, we also rely on talented, diligent and passionate individuals in our corporate teams that are the engine of our organisation.

We are recruiting for a FinanceBusiness Partner to join us on an initial 12 months fixed-term contract.

If you join us, working alongside the Head of Management Accounts and Senior Finance Business Partners, you will support the delivery of an operational and strategic finance service directly contributing towards effective front line service delivery. This will involve working directly with Senior Managers and other internal and external stakeholders across a range of finance activity including budgeting, forecasting and analysis.

This is an especially exciting time to join us as we continue to expand the Child Focused Courts Model across England with investment from our sponsor body, the Ministry of Justice, which represents the most significant reform of private family law proceedings in a generation.

Job description

Let us tell you a bit more about the role…

In terms of what you can expect to be doing as a Finance Business Partner, this is likely to include:

• Supporting the delivery of an operational and strategic finance service
• Providing support to budget holders on all financial matters
• Co-production of monthly forecasting
• Co-production with budget holders of monthly management accounts including variance and trend analysis
• Contributing to wider finance strategies
• Updating processes, policies, and guidance to ensure streamlined and smoother processes

Person specification

… and what we’re looking for.

As a Finance Business Partner, you will have:

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience and knowledge of finance in an accounting environment
• Demonstrable experience of working within a financial control framework
• The ability to operate in a high tempo environment, within a complex organisation.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience of supporting senior managers

• You will be a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) with a willingness to work towards a CCAB qualification.

You can find out more about the above, before you apply, we also recommend you read the job description.

Benefits

What we offer

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer generous annual leave (28 days rising to 33 days with 5 years’ continuous service, and it may be possible to recognise your current service), a Local Government Pension Scheme with significant employer contribution and a range of other financial and non-financial benefits to support your financial, physical and mental wellbeing.

Where you will work

If you join us, whilst your contractual office base will be one of the 30+ offices we have across England, it is highly likely you will work remotely as you will be part of a team based around the country, mainly attending the office as and when business needs require.

We are a diverse, inclusive organisation that is a safe space for colleagues with shared aspects of identity and lived experience, which helps ensure we provide a service which promotes the diversity and uniqueness of children and families from all backgrounds. We especially welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds as we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of the children and families we work with.

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

Next steps / timelines

If and when you are ready to apply, our application process is straightforward and quick to complete. You don’t need to complete your application in a single visit, you can start it and come back and amend your responses / update your CV, just make sure you come back before the closing date / time to submit.

Below we have given you an indication of a timetable we are hoping to work towards, although dates are subject to change.

Closing date

{Expiry Date}

Initial interview (remote via Teams)

w/c 28th September

Final interview (remote via Teams)

9th or 12 October

It is also likely if your application is progressed we will ask you to complete some online assessments, which will compliment what we learn about you during an interview. If relevant, we’ll provide further information about these in due course.

We understand you may benefit from finding out more to help you decide to apply and you will find further information at Cafcass Careers.

However, if you have queries specifically about this role, please contact Heather Jeffries (Head of Management Accounts) providing your contact information and best times / methods to get hold of you.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo an enhanced (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

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

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.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.

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

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 : HR Resourcing
• Email : hrresourcing@cafcass.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : heather.jeffries@cafcass.gov.uk

Further information

https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/working-for-us