job description

Date as postmark

Dear Enquirer

Finance Officer (Performance Management)

I am pleased that you have asked for further details of this opportunity.

I hope that the attached information pack will encourage you to apply for the post. The closing date for the application is at 5.00 p.m. Friday 20th March 2009. If you would like an application form electronically or in any other format, please contact [email protected].

The recruitment process will comprise a panel interview and possibly an excel test. It is intended that the interview date will be Thursday 23rd April 2009, although it is possible that this date might be changed.

The enclosed pack contains a recruitment process evaluation form which I should be grateful if you would complete and return using the pre-paid envelope. This form provides valuable information to the Secretariat whether you have or have not applied for the post and helps us to review our recruitment process and to ensure we maintain good practice.

If you require any further information, please feel free to ring Jill Bowditch on 01823 270101.

Yours sincerely

Karen StoneDeputy Director

mailto:[email protected]

JOB DESCRIPTION


Salary: Grade 6 (Spinal Column Points 26 -29)Currently £22,001 - £24,402

Terms and Conditions: NJC for Local Government Services

Responsible to: Principal Officer (Finance and Performance Management)

JOB PURPOSE

Within the Central Services Directorate, the Finance Officer (Performance Management) is responsible for assisting with the development and maintenance of the financial and performance management systems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Implement and maintain the performance management framework, systems and data collection process to monitor performance of central government work activity, including planning, housing and the regional improvement and efficiency partnership.

2. Ensure that the data being submitted to the performance management system is challenged and scrutinised to guarantee sound legitimate outputs.

3. Working with two separate financial systems to ensure appropriate financial information is accurate and available to be able to deliver useful and timely reports on financial aspects of performance management.

4. Prepare regular and adhoc financial and performance management reports as directed by Officers or Members, in an accurate and timely manner.

5. Prepare and present statistics on both a regular and adhoc basis to Officers or Members as directed.

6. Liaise with Local Authorities and other partners to track progress of programmes and ensure that they understand the requirements and reasons for the performance management process.

7. Co-ordinate the response of all internal and external ad-hoc enquiries and requests for statistical data and other management information.

8. Establish and maintain good working relationships with Local Authorities and other partners.

9. Undertake any other duties, which are required in support of the work of the South West Councils.

Performance mananagement OfficerPerson Specification

CRITERIA ESSENTIAL

Competencies The ability to prepare reports, briefing documents, correspondence and take notes of meetings.

The ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in written form.

Numeracy skills

Knowledge of budgetary and financial management processes.

Able to use basic statistical techniques and relevant information sources, and assess and analyse complex issues.

Good interpersonal skills including team working, approachability and patience.

A working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook and the ability to quickly take on in house IT working practices.

Previous experience 2 years experience in performance management and analysis environment or 2 years experience of monitoring complex budgets.

Special aptitudes Excellent organisational and work planning skills.

A high level of attention to detail

Good awareness of the level of service expected towards customers.

Willingness to pick up any task required to enable Central Services to deliver a high quality service.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTSFinance Officer (Performance Management)Grade 6

Salary

The post is graded under the NJC for Local Government Services, currently £22,001 to £24,402 per annum. The salary is pending a pay award by the National Joint Council for Local Government effective from 1 April 2009.

Terms and Conditions

The appointment will be subject to the terms and conditions laid down in the NJC for Local Government Service and supplemented by local agreements and by the rules of the Organisation.

Flexitime Scheme

Hours of work are 37 hours per week and a scheme of flexible working hours is in operation.

Annual Leave

27 days plus 8 public holidays

Medical Fitness

The person appointed will be required to complete a confidential medical declaration form and the appointment may be dependant on the issue of a satisfactory report from the Organisation’s medical adviser if necessary.

Probationary Period

The appointment is subject to a six month probationary period.

Notice to Terminate Employment

Either party will give one months notice.

Interview Date

It is intended to hold interviews on 23rd April 2009 and reasonable travel expenses are paid.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

South West Councils is fully committed to the development of policies to promote equal opportunity employment. The South West Councils equal opportunity policy aims to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, marital/parental status, disability, colour, religion or faith, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, age or sexual orientation.

The South West Councils believes that this policy will ensure that the talents and resources of its employees and potential employees will be utilised to the full.

APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENTCompleted Application Forms must be returned by:

5.00 p.m. on 20th March 2009

To: Michele Evans

South West Regional AssemblyDennett House

11 Middle StreetTaunton

SomersetTA1 1 SH

Fax (01823) 425200; Email: [email protected]

CONFIDENTIALPlease complete in black ink or type

Please provide details of your work experience including previous posts with your present employer, unpaid voluntary or casual work. If you have undertaken periods of other responsibilities raising family or caring please include these as well.

Present (or most recent) Employment

Name and Address of Employer:

Position Held

Notice Required Basic Salary / Wage

Other Allowances Reason for Leaving

Key responsibilities and / or achievements:

1.

2.

3.

4.

Applicant No.(Office use only)

Application for the post of: Finance Officer (Performance Management)

Employment History

mailto:[email protected]

All Previous Employment

Name and Full Address of Employer

Duration of employment, position held and main responsibilities – giving salary Reason for Leaving

Please continue on a separate sheet if necessary

Please give details relating to any gaps in your employment history

Please provide brief details of your education. Please enter most recent first

Name of Educational Establishment (School, College, University etc)

Qualifications obtained with subjects and grades


Please provide details of all training and development undertaken relevant to this post

Training Course and Organiser/ Development Activity Outcome – Grade Achieved where relevant


Body Membership Type

Education

Training

Membership of Professional Bodies

The information provided in this section will be used to decide if you will be invited to the next stage of the selection process. It is essential therefore that you cover the requirements listed in the person specification for the job.

1. Outline your experience of working in a performance management and analysis environment or of monitoring complex budgets.

2. Give an example of where you have used statistical techniques to assess and analyse complex issues.

Knowledge and Skills

3. Give an example of where you have demonstrated your organisational and work planning skills.

4. Outline the qualities you feel necessary to provide a good level of service to customers

5. Give examples of how you have used your interpersonal skills to contribute to effective team working.

6. Outline briefly other skills and knowledge which are relevant to this post.

How many PERIODS of absence from work due to sickness have you had in the last 12 months?

How many DAYS of absence from work due to sickness have you had in the last 12 months?

Any explanatory comments you feel are relevant:

Please give the name and address of one person who can provide an assessment of your suitability for this post. This should be your present/most recent employer. If you have not been in paid employment since leaving full-time education please give the name of your tutor or lecturer.

Name Address

Email Address if available

Position Held Day Contact Number

I declare that that this application form has been completed by me and all the information I have given is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I accept that if I have given any information which I know is false or if I withhold any relevant information it may lead to my application being rejected or if I have been appointed to my dismissal.

I consent that under the Data Protection Act 1998 the information contained in this application form may be processed by the South West Regional Secretariat who will ensure the information will be stored on a computer fairly and lawfully and will not be disclosed to any person/s for any other purposes.

I give my permission for the Assembly to process and retain information about me contained in this form in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

Signed...................................................................................................................................……

Dated............................................................................................................................................(If you submit an application electronically, you will be asked to sign the form before interview)

References

Declaration

Absence

APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT – MONITORING FORM

CONFIDENTIALPlease complete in black ink or type

THIS FORM IS NOT PART OF THE SELECTION PROCESS (The information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence and will not be seen by the selection

panel)

Surname: Forename:

Preferred Name: Preferred Title:

Home Address: Correspondence Address:

Daytime Contact No. Work Contact No.

National Insurance No.Are you Contactable at Work:

Yes No Do you need a work permit for permanent employment in the UK?

Yes No If Yes do you have one?Yes No

Are you, to your knowledge, related to, or do you have a close personal relationship with any Member or Officer of the South West Regional Assembly?

Yes No If yes, please state the name of the person and the capacity in which you are known to them.

If appointed, do you have any business and/or financial interests which might conflict with the duties of the post?

Yes No If yes, please give brief details.

Do you have any convictions not spent under the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974?

Yes No If yes, please give full details.

Applicant No.(Office use only)

Application for the post of: Finance Officer (Performance Management) Applicant to Complete

Personal Details

Relatives / Other interests

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

The South West Regional Secretariat recognises and actively promotes the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief. We therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community.

The information you supply on this form will be separated from your application form prior to any selections decisions being made and will be treated as confidential at all times, and in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

Name

Post Applied For

Gender

Male Female Marital Status

Married Single Other No Date of Birth //Do you consider yourself to have a disability

Yes No If yes, please state nature of disability

The disability Discrimination Act defines disability as “A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term effect on the person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities”.

White British Irish Any other white background*

Mixed White and Black Caribbean White and Black African White and Asian Any other mixed background*

Black or Black British

Caribbean African Any other Black background*

Asian or Asian British

Indian Pakistani Bangladeshi Any other Asian background*

Chinese or Other Ethnic Group

Chinese Other Ethnic Group*

* Please specify

If you wish, you may disclose information about yourself in this section about your:

Religion:

Sexual Orientation:

To enable us to monitor our public relations and marketing activity, please indicate where you learnt of this vacancy.

Internal Advert Internet Job Centre

Local Press Careers office Other*

National Press Family/Friend

Flexible Working

Do you wish to apply for this job on the basis of flexible workingYes No

If yes please specify

Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Ethnic Group (Please tick one box)

Supplementary Information

RECRUITMENT PROCESS EVALUATION FORM


Thank you for requesting an application pack.

We would be grateful if you would consider sparing a few moments to complete this form and return in the pre-paid envelope provided.

Where did you see the position advertised: Somerset County Gazette Series □

Internal Vacancy Sheet □

Exeter Echo □

Bristol Evening Post □

Other □

Please specify

On requesting the application pack was your call dealt with courteously and efficiently:

Yes □No □Comments:

Did you receive your application pack promptly Within 3 working days □

Within 5 Working days □Over 5 working days □Comments:

Was the background information provided about the organisation informative and useful

Excellent □Sufficient □Insufficient □Comments:

Was the Job Description and Person Specification clearly defined:

Job Description


Person Specification


I have applied for the post:Yes □ No □

I did not apply for the post because: Post Not Suitable □Did not have qualifications □Insufficient Salary □Need to relocate □Other, please state □

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