Job summary
We’re looking for a well-organised and detail-focused Finance and Procurement Administrator who enjoys supporting others and keeping essential processes running smoothly. You’ll bring a careful, methodical approach to financial administration, along with the confidence to work with colleagues and suppliers to resolve queries and meet deadlines. This role suits someone who takes pride in accuracy, values good customer service, and enjoys working as part of a supportive team. If you’re motivated by public service and keen to build or develop your experience within finance and procurement, this is an excellent opportunity to make a valued contribution to Estyn’s work.
Job description
You will be responsible for processing purchase orders, supporting purchasing activities, maintaining supplier records, arranging staff travel, handling sensitive information securely, supporting audits, and providing general finance administration as required.
Key tasks include:
- Raise purchase requisitions/orders for goods and services, ensuring accuracy of supplier details, pricing, coding, and delivery information
- Support budget holders and operational staff with purchasing processes, including PO creation and correct use of cost codes.
- Maintain accurate supplier records, including set-up/amendments (in line with control requirements).
- Arrange travel and accommodation for inspection staff in line with organisational policies and cost guidelines.
- Liaise with staff to confirm travel requirements, itineraries, and any changes at short notice.
- Handle sensitive financial and personal data appropriately, maintaining confidentiality and data protection standards.
- Support periodic checks by providing reports or evidence for internal review and external audit requests.
- Provide general administrative support to the finance function, including responding to internal/ external queries.
- To undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required by Managers
Person specification
It’s essential that you have:
- Experience working in an Accounts Payable/Finance role or similar.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to prioritise tasks, work accurately and with attention to detail.
- Ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels of the organisation to ensure the timely delivery of information and meeting of deadlines.
- Experience of maintaining detailed records e.g. log’s, databases and spreadsheets.
- Ability to handle sensitive financial and personal data appropriately by maintaining confidentiality and data protection standards.
- Ability to use ICT effectively, including experience using a Financial/ Microsoft package e.g. Sage, Excel, Word, and Outlook.
- Understanding on how to deliver a quality professional customer service.
It’s desirable that you:
- Have experience of working in a service delivery or customer service environment.
- Are working towards or willing to undertake a financial qualification.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £27,315, ESTYN contributes £7,913 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.In addition to a good work/life balance, job satisfaction, a supporting culture, ongoing learning and development opportunities and professional development, you can also expect other benefits, including the following:
- Competitive salary and incremental points meaning that you will normally reach the maximum of the pay scale within two/three years of joining us.
- Generous holiday entitlement – 41 days away from work each year (made up of 31 days of annual leave, plus 10 public/privilege holidays (pro-rated for those who work part-time).
- Flexible working - We operate a flexi-time system, giving you the freedom to shape your working day in a way that suits you and meets business needs.
- Support for your wellbeing – We provide an hour of wellbeing time per week (pro-rated) for staff. We also provide an employee assistance programme, free annual health checks, seasonal flu jabs, a free eye care scheme and access to Health Insurance Plans through Civil Service Healthcare.
- Support for your family life – generous family friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption leave.
- Tax-free savings – Access to a cycle to work scheme.
- Special offers and discounts – Access to a range of discounts and exclusive offers through the Civil Service Social Club – Sports and Leisure, the Civil Service Motoring Association, the Civil Service Insurance Society and the Charity for Civil Servants.
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, Ability and Experience.The selection process includes:
- A sift of applications: The panel will consider all complete applications. The information you give us in your application is important in deciding whether we will invite you to the next selection stage. Candidates will be assessed at sift on all essential criteria as per the person specification. Desirable criteria will be assessed at sift where there is a strong field of candidates as a second stage after essential criteria have been considered.
- Assessment and Interview: Candidates invited to assessment and interview will be assessed on their skills, experience and behaviours in relation to the person specification. The assessment will consist of a range of tasks relevant to the role, as set out in the job description. Tasks will assess candidates’ numeracy, accuracy, communication skills and attention to detail. Full details of the assessment will be shared with candidates when they are invited to interview. The interview will consist of a panel interview and will take place 5-6 February 2026 in Cardiff.
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
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.
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 : Lisa Guildford
- Email : Lisa.Guildford@estyn.gov.wales
- Telephone : 02920 446336
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@estyn.gov.wales