Army - Finance Operations Support

Job summary

HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) provides NATO with a rapidly deployable, flexible HQ that can act as a Joint, Land or Corps HQ for operations and crisis response. Its multi-national ethos, combination of cultures and innovation, strong professional reputation in NATO and proven track record in interoperability are unique among its High Readiness Force peers.

We are seeking an experienced finance professional to join the (ARRC) this is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the delivery of effective financial management within a complex and dynamic military environment.

Working as part of the Finance Team, you will support the management and delivery of financial operations, ensuring robust financial governance, compliance, and efficient processes that support organisational objectives. You will provide expert financial advice, analysis, and insight to inform decision-making, while helping to drive continuous improvement and change across financial activities.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

You will be responsible for the co-ordination, monitoring and financial planning of all budget and finance issues directly associated with the ARRC. Reporting to the Finance Business Partner, you will be responsible for managing ARRC’s multi million pound in year budget highlighting the key risks, issues and opportunities for senior management, which will involve presenting complex financial information.

Key responsibilities:

• Regularly work with colleagues in all parts of ARRC and with the Finance Business Partner.
• Keep abreast of team and Departmental activities and priorities to support the efficient management of ARRC budget.
• Build and sustain strong working relationships within the ARRC and externally with the Army.
• Ensure that financial information is accurate, timely, and complete, and that reporting requirements relating to in year financial management and annual budget planning are met
• You will be responsible for the co-ordination, monitoring and financial planning of all budget and finance issues directly associated with ARRC.

Managing ARRC’s in year budget:

• Hold regular meetings with ARRC team heads to plan and monitor spend against funding bids.
• Compile monthly forecasts for Director ARRC to approve before submitting the final version.
• Compile the monthly finance brief for ARRC senior management.
• Support the ARRC Business Manager with headcount planning.
• Review of ARRC business cases for expenditure proposals and provide financial input regarding affordability.
• Provide support for savings and costings exercises.
• Act as primary contact for financial issues in ARRC.

Annual Budget Cycle (ABC) planning round submissions and costing of new expenditure proposals:

• Work with ARRC section heads to review proposed spend for future years.
• Staffing of ABC plan to Chief Of Staff, ARRC before submission.
• Completion of ABC Workbooks including checking of headcount figures.
• Costing of new expenditure proposals to be included in the ABC submission.
• Liaison with Finance Business Partner.

Contracting, Purchasing & Finance (CP&F) super user:

• Provision of advice to ARRC users on CP&F issues.
• Creation of new contract and contract amendment requisitions.
• Raising of purchase requisitions and receipting.
• New user requests.

Person specification

Essential skills required:

• Strong communicator, able to communicate at all levels and good presentation skills.
• Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to develop collaborative relationships with a range of stakeholders and teams.
• Experienced planning and organisational skills in a fast-paced financial environment and experience of delivery and meeting tight deadlines within changing priorities.

Desirable Skills:

• Level 4 qualification in accounting such as Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) or Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB)/Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) or currently working towards such training.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 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).

The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.

Other benefits for Army civil servants include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Highly competitive pension scheme
• Personal and professional development of skills
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
• Learning and Development

We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.

A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD 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. Determine your eligibili