Overview of area of work:

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's job is to create great places to live and work, and to give more power to local people to shape what happens in their area. Our responsibilities lie at the heart of the Prime Minister's domestic agenda, and include:

• driving up housing supply
• increasing home ownership
• devolving powers and budgets to boost local growth in England
• supporting strong communities with excellent public services

MHCLG Corporate Services is an exciting place to work. The environment is fast paced with excellent opportunities to deliver work directly to senior stakeholders and Ministers, to set the agenda for our function going forward and shape the way the Department will work in the future. The organisation looks to our function to get things done, help define VfM and other key aspects of government policies ranging from Integration to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to the Government’s Housing Agenda – worth over £44bn in the coming years. This is a particularly exciting time to join the team as we support MHCLG in preparing for the upcoming budget and spending review.

Key responsibilities:

Working to the Deputy Director for Financial Reporting and Control, your role will be to lead and oversee the work of two teams (c.15 FTEs): the Financial Reporting and Accounting Team and the Financial Governance and NAO Liaison Team. Their key responsibilities include:

• Preparation of the Department's Consolidated Annual Report and Accounts and annual Whole of Government Accounts Return
• Provision of technical accounting advice
• Balance sheet review and challenge
• NAO liaison point for their financial audits and VfM studies
• Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee support
• Maintaining and improving the Department's financial governance framework
• Preparation of the Governance Statement and Accounting Officer's System Statement
• Leading on the Department's Treasury Minute responses

Key skills/Criteria:

• A recognised finance qualification e.g. ICAEW, ICAS, ICAI, CIMA, ACCA or CIPFA).
• Be a credible and authentic leader, with the ability to articulate a vision, engage and motivate people to deliver results
• Show that you have the skills to provide insight and clear strategic understanding to ensure financial objectives are embedded into the decision making process
• Show the ability to build a wide ranging network of relationships across departmental/organisational boundaries that support collaborative working across teams or organisations in order to deliver.
• Demonstrate the confidence, composure and credibility needed to challenge and influence senior stakeholders in a considered and professional manner
• Show the ability and willingness to make difficult decisions and stand by them, communicating effectively to inspire your team and stakeholder to achieve desired outcomes
• Recognise change as an opportunity to deliver efficiency and innovation acting as an agent for change when you identify the chance to protect, drive and add value.

Competencies

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

• Leading and communicating
• Collaborating and partnering
• Changing and improving
• Delivering at pace

Selection process details

At sift, we will be assessing:

• Leading and communicating(lead competency)
• Changing and improving
• Delivering at pace In the event that we receive a large number of applications, we may sift based on the lead competency (Leading and communicating) All four competencies listed will be tested at interview.

The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of both competency and strength based questions. All questions will be based on the competencies listed in the advert. The strength based questions will require natural responses from the candidates. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Contact point for applicants

DD Financial Reporting & Control (Helen Smith / Susan Candlish) Email: ddfinancialreportingandcontrol@communities.gsi.gov.uk Phone: 030 444 40208/42507

Sift/interview dates and location

Sift to be completed week commencing 13th August 2018. Interviews to take place week commencing 27th August 2018 at 2 Marsham Street, London.