Financial Assurance Manager - C1

This opportunity is only open to internal Scottish Government applicants who are currently 'Priority Movers'. Applications from individuals not currently on the Priority Mover list will be rejected and not considered. This role will drive effective decision making and stewardship in relation to the use of public money.

The role will have oversight of and lead on the strategic approach to effective management of Scottish Government finances in accordance with Scottish Government’s policies and guidelines as outlined in the Scottish Public Finance Manual. The role will also support wider corporate assurance priorities including workforce planning and risk.

The nature of the work is such that a key requirement of the role is a flexible and adaptable approach to managing tasks and programmes of work, with an ability to adapt quickly to change, in partnership with colleagues across the Team, Division, Directorate / Agency and wider Scottish Government community. This role would suit a candidate with relevant experience, in a financial environment and knowledge of corporate assurance requirements and practices.

Education

Directorate sits within the Director General Education and Justice family. This role sits within the Education Directorate Business Support Unit, and the C1 role leads the finance team within the Unit. The Business Support Unit has a focus on: Financial strategy and support – budget, operating costs, invoicing. Grants and finance reporting activities; People support – workforce planning, recruiting, onboarding, learning and development and business Planning activities; Performance support – strategic planning and reporting, meeting or event coordination and inbox management/diary related activities; and Risk, Assuracne and Governance support – risk registers, business continuity planning, assurance, compliance and governance briefings.

The team is responsive and agile, collaborative and systematic, people-centric and relational. The C1 Finance and Assurance Manager leads, manages and develops the BSU Finance Team. Line Management responsibilities 1 x B3 and countersigning responsibility for 2 x B2 and 1 x B1.

Key Responsibilities

Ensure that Education Directorate’s budget of almost £760 million (including resource (£731m), capital (£10m) and an operating cost budget of over £17 million for 217 staff) is managed in line with the Scottish Public Finance Manual and Accountable Officer spending controls; Overseeing forward budget planning, spending reviews and the Directorate’s collective response to budget management exercises including savings commissions and ensure sufficient levels of challenge and scrutiny in line with accountable officer controls; Provide advice, guidance and evidence based recommendations to the Director(s) of Education, highlighting issues and taking appropriate strategic action on their behalf where relevant; AO templates – provide advice and support.

Ensuring financial processes are in line with current AO controls and, at a local level, ensuring AO processes in place are robust and routinely reviewed for proportionality; Ensure Director(s) are supported to discharge their delegated budget holder duties through the provision of relevant briefing for financial assurance meetings and/ or through support or representation of the Director(s) of Education at these meetings; Lead, manage and develop the Education Finance Team in BSU (2xB2 and 1xB3); Oversee EPM Finance including monthly monitoring, annual budget bill process and annual accounts and budget revisions.

Ensure regular engagement with portfolio finance lead, FBP and financial reporting team; Championing and strengthening financial culture throughout the directorate, including through leadership of the directorate Financial Management and Moderation Group (FMMG) and leading on financial strategy in line with corporate approaches; Continually reviewing our processes and considering where there are opportunities to drive forward improvements for budget management, incorporating feedback from finance and SLT and findings from lessons learned exercises; Building and maintaining open, positive working relationships, engaging confidently with SMT, Directorate staff, Business Partners, DG Office, portfolio finance leads and other key stakeholders to share intel, provide advice, challenge and offer recommendations; Supporting the Director(s) to deliver on and provide assurance around key corporate priorities and business plan objectives including workforce planning (and FTE targets as set by DG), PfG and manifesto assurance, financial planning and monitoring corporate risks (including capacity, finance and business critical systems) through the appropriate channels; Oversee Certificates of Assurance; Ensure all relevant documentation is stored appropriately in erdm; and Ensure desk instructions are maintained.

Technical / Professional Skills: Budgeting, Forecasting and Costing Practitioner Government Financial Management Practitioner Strategic Financial Analysis and Insight Practitioner Understanding International Accounting Standards Practitioner Data Analysis Expert You can find out more about the skills required, here: Finance Profession Capability Framework Experience: Strong financial management and corporate assurance experience and ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and succinctly to a wide range of audiences, including to non-finance colleagues.

Ability to influence, negotiate and collaborate effectively with key stakeholders and a prove ability to explain financial information effectively to stakeholders and non-financial professionals. Strong planning and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage a diverse workload and team, and able to adapt to changing situations and manage competing priorities.

Experience of leading and managing teams to deliver a range of finance and/or management functions. Demonstrating effective leadership and delegation skills and the ability to develop and motivate staff. Working pattern This role is a temporary position with an expected commitment of 12 months Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave.

Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us. How to Apply Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive C1 employees.

Please submit a statement outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team (maximum 500 words). Vacancies close at 23:59pm on Thursday 22 October. If you have questions about your application please contact helen.buckley@gov.scot Selection Process All applicants will be invited to an informal discussion with the hiring manager.

There will be no formal testing or assessment. Discussions are expected to be scheduled for w/c TBC. Recruitment Principles As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.