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Job Title: Student Placement - Finance Assistant 2023 - 2024

Department: Counter Terrorism Policing

Salary: £20,686

Location: Pan London

Duration: 12 months

Number of students we are looking to recruit: 1

MORE CHALLENGES, MORE EXCITEMENT, MORE OPPORTUNITIES - BE AT THE HEART OF A CHANGING SERVICE

The MET

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) employs over 45,000 officers and Staff, plus thousands of volunteers and provides policing to one of the most diverse capital cities in the world.

The service provides policing to 12 Borough Command Units, as well as a number of other local, national and international functions such as counter terrorism and organised crime prevention.

As the country’s largest police service, the service is recognised internationally as a leader in fighting crime and many other policing organisations look to the MPS for best practice and guidance.

We are looking to recruit students for a 52 week student placement with the Metropolitan Police Service. All roles will give students valuable insight and experience of working for one of the largest public organisations in the UK and the largest single employer in London. The role is a substantive post and we seek to provide valuable practical experience wherever our students work.

All roles will give students valuable insight and experience of working for one of the largest public organisations in the UK and the largest single employer in London. The role is a substantive post and we seek to provide valuable practical experience wherever our students work.

Background

As our Counter Terrorism (CT) Network strives to protect the UK, it is vital that senior management are armed with the relevant information to support strategic decision making. Your work will make a crucial difference, giving senior management the tools and insight to make informed business decisions. It is an opportunity to enhance your career and play your part in protecting the UK.

Joining the Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters (CTPHQ), you’ll be part of our Strategic Finance function. Here, you’ll provide robust financial analysis to support decision-making and deliver value for money for the Met and CT Policing. Day to day, you’ll assist the Finance Analyst to embed a coordinated business partnering function using your excellent communication skills and ability to present complex financial information. You’ll also support the strategic planning process, help produce a national budget and provide advice to budget holders and service leads.

This is a key role for developing an understanding of financial analysis and being a part of an accounting function within our world class CT Network. You’ll gain knowledge of how to provide financial analytical support including budgeting, forecasting and management reporting. Through strong working relationships, you’ll help CT professionals to achieve the right results.

It’s an opportunity to work with a range of people from policing, the security services and the Home Office. You’ll also get to shape the direction of the CTPHQ and develop your finance skills.

The Role

The Finance Placement Student will support the Finance Analyst under the Deputy Finance Business Partner in CTPHQ to ensure CT Policing achieves value for money and maximises value from the services it delivers whilst meeting the needs of the business.

This will include:

• Building relationships with business areas, ensuring the CTPHQ Finance function works effectively and efficiently within CTPHQ, the MPS, the Specialist Operations Business Group and the wider CT network
• Identifying key risks and opportunities affecting CT/PS objectives through timely analysis regarding actual results, budgets and forecasts.
• Supporting producing the national budget and strategic planning process for both the Counter Terrorism (CT) Policing Grant and Protective Security Grants, reviewing the financial implications of funding bids submitted to the Home Office for new initiatives/unplanned operations that arise in year;
• Monitoring expenditure and income, ensuring the production of quality management accounts and reporting for both internal stakeholders across the network and external third parties;
• Ensure value for money by seeking commercial opportunities including income generation and cost recovery where appropriate.
• Supporting the production of regular financial management information on CT Policing and Protective Security Grant to key stakeholders.
• Attending meetings as appropriate with OCUs, CTPHQ Pillars, MPS Support Services, MPS Corporate Finance, CT Network etc.
• Working alongside our outsourced provider to ensure all transactions are posted in a timely manner to ensure internal deadlines are met.
• Providing support for ad hoc projects including support for business planning, assessing investment business cases and reviewing contract bids.

We are looking to recruit a university placement student currently pursuing Accounting, Finance, Business and Economics Degrees.

Must be an undergraduate student in a sandwich year course returning to study in Autumn 2024

Skills

Analytical and Judgment Skills:

• To analyse diverse sets of data from multiple systems to generate solutions to operational and strategic problems;
• To operate at a detailed level to help solve strategic problems; and
• To support and / or carry out options appraisal.

Planning and Organisational Skills:

• Highly motivated, taking a proactive approach to work including a strong desire to meet deadlines and deliver quality products;
• Highly organised and forward thinking; and
• Ability to work autonomously.

Communication and Relationship Skills:

• Effective communication skills. Ability to explain things clearly either verbally or in writing in the most appropriate style, tone and format;
• Good interpersonal skills and team working skills with the willingness to support others and share ideas;
• Business focused and flexible when meeting operational needs and expectations;
• Takes responsibility to meet business requirements and ownership of work and maintains a strong work ethic

Desirable Experience

• Expert excel user; competent in pivot tables, macros and advanced use of formula

Candidates must also demonstrate the following skills:

Communication Skills

• An excellent level of both written and verbal communication skills, and ability to present information appropriately to a wide variety of clients in a clear, concise and non-technical manner. Written communications will need to be well prepared and logically structured.

Planning and Organisational skills

• Plans and organises their own work, liaising with their manager as to how the work fits in with the project.

Time Management

• Prioritises tasks and keeps to deadlines. Has a flexible and self-motivated approach to work, being able to work unsupervised if required.

Problem Solving Skills

• Can define and solve problems in a logical manner, being aware of the variety of solutions possible. Shows evidence of being able to balance theory with reality to produce a pragmatic solution.

Technical Skills

• IT skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and an aptitude and willingness to learn new software packages. Good numerical and statistical analysis skills and being able to make sense of and interpret qualitative and quantitative data.

Team Working

• Can work with a diverse group of colleagues and clients at all levels. Being an active team player and show willingness to help other people.

Personal Responsibility

• Have a proactive approach, being able to critically appraise their actions and accept responsibility given to them.

Respect for Diversity

• Demonstrates a respect for diversity through all aspects of work. Shows consideration and respect for the opinions and feelings of others, regardless of their status or background.

Vetting

This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Security Check (enhanced) (SC(e)) level before taking up the post; with a willingness to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) once in post, if required.

Additionally, this material is of particular sensitivity to the UK and its distribution must be restricted to UK nationals. In approved circumstances dual nationals (of which one element is British) may also be granted access. However, in the event that potential conflicts of interest cannot be managed the post holder will not be able to see the intelligence material and will not be able to perform their duties. For the purpose of safeguarding national security and in line with Cabinet Office Policy, supported by Section 82(2) to (4) of the Police Reform Act (2002), applicants who do not hold or acquire Security Check (enhanced) (SC(e)) OR Developed Vetting (DV) clearance and meet the nationality requirements cannot be offered the post.

Please click on the below link to view an online candidate information pack that will you give you an insight into the Met, the competency framework we use which shapes our daily work behaviours, the application process and a host of other information, that will help inform and support your application:

https://sscl-innovation.com/MPScandidatepack/

To apply, please visit our website. Applications will be via a detailed CV, Personal Statement and online application form. Your personal statement should outline why you are interested in the role and how your skills and experience demonstrate your suitability for the role. (NB. Please do not attach 2 copies of your CV).

Completed applications must be submitted by 31st January 2023.

We view diversity as fundamental to our success. To tackle today’s complex policing challenges, we need a workforce made up from all of London’s communities. Applications from across the community are therefore essential.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer the Met have committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.