Policy and Finance Advisor - London, United Kingdom - Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Verified Company

London, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

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Description

Details:

Reference number:

Salary:

- £49,697

A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Job grade:
Grade 7
Contract type:
Permanent
Business area:
Local government finance
Type of role:
Policy
Working pattern:
Flexible working, Fulltime, Job share, Parttime
Number of jobs available:
1Contents

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About the job

Benefits:

Things you need to know

Location

Darlington, LondonAbout the job

Job summary:

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has responsibility for housing, communities, and local government, and since 2021 also leads on levelling up the United Kingdom.

This is a very exciting time to join the Department as we are at the heart of the government's central mission, driving forward a programme of tangible improvements in every part of the country as we build back better from the pandemic, and deliver on the people's priorities.

The Local Government Finance directorate works across government to ensure that councils have the funding they need to deliver the services that we all rely on, including social care, support for the homeless, waste collection and leisure centres.

In total, councils spend around £120bn a year, more than £1 in £7 spent by the public sector, and the directorate's work has a significant influence on the whole of government and is a key priority for our Ministers.

The role sits within the Finance, Accounting and Capital Team. The team has policy responsibility for the capital system, under which councils borrow and invest. Capital investment by councils is vital for growing their local economies, improving public services, and priorities such as housing.

The team monitors sector behaviour to ensure the capital system remains effective in supporting local freedoms to make much needed investment while also limiting risk.

This involves identifying and responding to issues both at the system level and with individual authorities, and requires working with teams in the Department, with HMT, across government and engaging with councils directly.

The team also has oversight of the accounting framework that sets the rules for local government financial reporting.

The role will involve supporting and leading on elements of this work, including engaging with relevant regulatory bodies to consider accounting and auditing standards to ensure the government's views are reflected, and also identifying and resolving issues that affect councils.

Job description:

The role will involve a range of activities to deliver the team's objectives listed above

Key responsibilities include:

Developing and maintaining expertise on the capital system, and using this to provide insight and advice to contribute to policy development and the stewardship of the sector.
Drawing on a wide range of financial data and other sources of evidence to identify risks and issues from council behaviour, determine whether action is necessary and support the development of solutions.
Working with individual local authorities to investigate risks and issues, collect and analyse evidence and provide advice to senior management and Ministers.
Using technical knowledge to analyse new accounting standards and financial activity across the sector to identify systemic impacts and help develop the Department's response.
Working with other stakeholders, building essential relationships to share intelligence, identify risks and lead on taking forward actions to address issues.
Using financial expertise to understand technical issues that affect the sector and be able to explain these clearly and succinctly to a range of audiences, including senior management and Ministers, to support effective decision making.
Work with others within the Department, HM Treasury and other stakeholders to provide technical advice and support, or draw on skills and expertise to support our work.

Person specification:

This is a policy role, but does require a good knowledge of accounting and finance. Therefore, you should be a Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB) or CIMA qualified accountant. Experience with audit and/or the local government sector is desirable, but not essential.

You will be able act as a source of expertise, and input into a wide range of areas to support effective policy development.

Prior knowledge of local government finance is not required, but the ability to learn and quickly develop expertise is important.

You will be adept at handling different types of information and reaching well-informed judgements. You will be able to understand and consider how your work fits into the wider priorities of the Department. You will be able to steer and support effective policy development.

Important qualities for the role include: