Finance Business Partner

Finance Business Partner - EU Exit

£46,150 (National) £50,750 (London) - £54,180 (National) £59,590 (London)

London, Reading, York

At the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), we are immersed in an exciting period of change. Our work ranges from supporting the UK's world-leading food, farming and fishing industries to protecting the environment and providing robust defences against natural threats. Leaving the EU will fundamentally transform the work we do and how we deliver it. We are embracing this opportunity to become even more efficient, focussed and innovative. Join us, and the Finance Business Partner will be at the heart of this change - helping us to secure a more sustainable future for the UK.

Defra Group Finance is facing the exciting challenge of supporting a wide variety of workstreams that are affected by EU Exit. Striving to ensure we secure the best value for the tax-payer, the Finance Business Partner will be crucial to key areas of the business as you will:

• offer professional support on the financial impact of the UK's withdrawal from the EU for one of the following business areas: Animal & Plant Health, Environmental Regulations, Marine & Fisheries or the investment programme for Digital, Data and Technology Services;
• play a key role in constructing business cases, championing the efficient use of Defra's future budget, and advising on financial planning and investment appraisal decisions;
• work with IT specialists to implement cutting-edge accounting and reporting platforms that will consolidate project accounting and the reporting of components;
• oversee all aspects of additional funding to Defra's EU-related programmes, agreeing what is allocated, monitoring expenditure, and reporting your findings to a variety of stakeholders including Ministers, HM Treasury, and the Infrastructure Projects Authority;
• provide expert financial advice across all EU Exit challenges, working with policy and operational colleagues as they seek to develop bespoke legislation, and ensure its smooth path through Parliament. The Finance Business Partner will also provide comprehensive briefings to Ministers and other senior colleagues.

This is a unique challenge which has the scope to forge new ways of working. With the second largest budget in Whitehall, the Finance Business Partner will work on career-defining projects where your input will be invaluable. You will be a qualified accountant, or a student studying towards your final qualifications with relevant experience. With the ability to identify key priorities for the department, you will anticipate economic, social, political, environmental and technological developments to ensure our projects remain relevant. Capable of operating in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment, you will work collaboratively to ensure the best outcomes, with the confidence to liaise directly with senior colleagues. You will also have exceptional analytical skills. While experience of Oracle finance systems, business partnering or government accounting would be beneficial, it is not essential.

We aim to support the professional and personal wellbeing of everyone in Defra. Our benefits include generous annual leave, a contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme. We also offer flexible working and a variety of learning and development opportunities.

Closing date: 10 June 2018.