Senior Finance Officer

Job summary

The Defra group has a unique operating model delivering corporate services centrally to the core department (Defra) and four of its Arms Length Bodies (ALBs) – Environment Agency, Rural Payments Agency, Natural England (NE), and the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

The Compliance and Financial Accounting (CFA) Team lead on preparation of accounts for Defra and its ALBs.

The role will support the implementation of the new ERP system, which is due to go live in February 2028. The system is expected to be used by over 250,000 users (approximately 50% of the Civil Service), bringing together users from four government departments: Defra, DWP, MoJ and Home Office. The majority of the common design phase was completed in October 2025, and Defra is expected to begin local design from July 2026, with build, system integration testing, user acceptance testing and cutover planned from December 2026 to go live in February 2028. The role requires close working with stakeholders, building relationships with others, managing the timetable to deliver the successful implementation of the ERP system.

The postholder will also support the Compliance and Financial Accounting Team with business-as-usual activities.

Job description

Along with supporting the implementation of the new ERP system, the postholder will widely support other areas of finance and the business with financial accounting advice, direction and knowledge. The role may require close working with senior stakeholders (within finance and business areas).

Defra are recruiting up to five SEO roles, which will all cover business as usual activities and all areas of the ERP system and/or cover the substantive post for those that work on the ERP system.

Key responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

ERP SYSTEM

• Support the stages required to implement the new ERP system. In particular:
  - Local design phase: refine the Common Design to meet their specific operational needs. This is the point where colleagues begin to see how the future processes will work for them in practice.
  - Build phase: configuration starts, data preparation intensifies, and we move from design on paper to a working product. It is one of the most important conversion stages in the journey.
  - System integration testing: test all processes end-to-end, checking that data flows correctly, that integrations operate seamlessly, and that the system behaves as expected.
  - User acceptance testing: support real life users of the system. Identify and deliver training.
  - Cutover phase: complete data migration cycles, readiness checks, and all the operational planning needed to ensure the transition from the old system to the new ERP is safe and controlled.
• Provide information to process owners to support attendance at meetings with other departments to ensure Defra’s position is considered.
• Working with other departments to align accounting policies and processes.
• Co-ordinating responses from subject matter experts where required.
• Learn and adapt Defra’s position from the issues encountered by other departments that have already gone through these phases.
• Reviewing documentation and provide meaningful comments.

ACCOUNTING

• Covering substantive technical financial accounting roles where required (e.g. review/preparation/approval of journals, preparation/review of reconciliations, preparing interim and year-end accounts, preparing technical accounting papers using International Financial Reporting Standards as adapted and interpreted by the HM Treasury Financial Reporting Manual, working with stakeholders (e.g. external auditors, other areas of finance, business areas), providing technical accounting advice to finance and non-finance colleagues, supporting the external audit etc. etc.).
• Supporting the production of annual reports and accounts (interim and year-end) and working collaboratively with the group accounts team.
• Supporting finance projects to ensure the Defra group ARA is laid pre-recess and without qualification.
• Working with external auditors, business areas and other areas of finance and their teams, building relationships and providing a high level of customer service.
• Providing high quality technical accounting advice and reviewing accounting papers, backed up by an in-depth knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards and HM Treasury guidance such as the ‘Financial Reporting Manual’ (FReM), ‘Consolidated Budgeting Guidance’ and ‘Managing Public Money’.
• Providing technical accounting advice to Core Defra, to both finance and non-finance professionals.
• Support the management of risks and issues in relation to the delivery of annual reports and accounts and its impact on the overall Defra group ARA.
• Monitoring of key reconciliations.
• Be a point of contact for technical accounting advice, queries and guidance, liaising with peers to determine the most appropriate accounting treatment, ensuring the approach is consistent across Defra Group.

OTHER

• Line management of others.

Person specification

• Fully qualified and experienced financial professional (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent).
• Working with Oracle/SOP and related applications.
• Planning and organisational skills in a finance environment, with experience of delivery and meeting tight timescales.
• Able to think creatively and strategically to solve problems and manage risks.
• Adept at building strong stakeholder relationships, using your network to support delivery against your objectives.
• Strong oral and written presentational skills, with ability to explain complex financial issues to non-specialist audiences.
• Ability to engage and motivate those around you.
• Ability to see change as a chance to drive efficiency and innovation; acting as an agent for change wherever you identify the opportunity to protect, drive and add value.
• Working with others effectively and being able to influence change.
• Supporting the delivery of the project to challenging timescales.
• Knowledge and understanding of government finance.

Qualifications

Fully qualified and experienced financial professional (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent).

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £42,665, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £12,360 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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.

Application Process

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and Personal Statement.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Your CV needs to demonstrate that you have undertaken similar roles and activities as shown in the job specification.

In the Personal Statement, you need to provide 750 words max, showing that you have skills/experience relevant to the role.

Sift

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and candidates need to meet the required sift score for their application to be progressed. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to a video assessment/interview.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Interview

Candidates successful at sift stage will be invited to a video assessment/interview (1 hour) that will consist of a blended interview of Behaviours and Strengths.

A presentation or additional exercise relative to the role will also be assessed, further details will be given to candidates selected for interview.

Reserve

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Location

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).

The successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Criminal Record Check

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.

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

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 Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.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.

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.

Internal Fraud Database Check

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Higher Security Clearance

All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

Contract Type

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

This is a Fixed-term Appointment as a Senior Finance Officer on the Synergy Programme.

The post is not permanent. It is time limited due to a fixed funding period or as part of a specific project. The fixed term will end when the funding or the project expires.

Feedback

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

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.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 : Vikesh Barchha
• Email : vikesh.barchha@defra.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: here