Assistant Finance Officer

Job Introduction

Note: This role is a temporary internship
Paid at the rate of £15.84 per hour for 23 hours per week, over a 12 week period

About the role

The Assistant Finance Officer will support the wider Financial Systems and Support team with financial systems monitoring administration and processing.

The role operates flexibly across Finance, providing finance and accounting support for projects and other finance teams as priorities dictate.

Responsibilities .

•  Supporting Finance teams as priorities dictate, for example with the recording and analysing of data, obtaining financial reports, financial administration of organisational structure changes etc.
• Any other duties as necessary to carry out the  remit of the role.

About you

We are looking for someone with:

• Significant, relevant experience in financial administration and accountancy.
• Good knowledge and understanding of financial management systems and procedures, including accounting, cost centre management, payments, income and banking.
• Good knowledge and understanding of financial control, financial risk management and corporate governance; including the regulatory framework that governs the operation of financial systems.
• Strong ICT skills including extensive knowledge and ability to use spreadsheets; and able to utilise business systems effectively.
• Experienced in analysing and interpreting data and presenting it in an understandable format
• Good communicator, who communicates clearly and openly in order to inform, instruct, persuade and encourage feedback.
• An aptitude for working collaboratively with colleagues, and partners in problem solving and making informed and insightful decisions. 
• Has excellent attention to detail, working accurately with the ability to work on own initiative, or effectively as part of a team.
• A lateral thinker who is highly motivated, positive and inquisitive with an aptitude for learning, problem solving, developing innovative ideas, and continuous improvement.
• Willing and flexible attitude with excellent organisation and time management skills.

Behaviours and competencies

• Has a positive and optimistic attitude 
• Always looks to improve ways of working
• Is inquisitive and actively owns and seeks to solve problems  
• Takes personal responsibility to find things out and develop and share knowledge   
• Communicates and collaborates pro-actively 
• Builds trust-based relationships 
• Demonstrates ethical behaviours as set out in the ethical standards framework. 

The following are the generic behaviours expected from all staff in the Finance team:

• Positive and optimistic attitude 
• Always looking to improve ways of working
• Inquisitive and actively owns and seeks to solve problems  
• Takes personal responsibility to find things out and develop and share knowledge   
• Communicates and collaborates pro-actively 
• Builds trust-based relationships 
• Demonstrates ethical behaviours as set out in the ethical standards framework. 

These staff behaviours will be demonstrated in conjunction with the following key competencies:

• Is commercially aware – i.e. understands the cost drivers and true costs of services and considers the value in everything we do.
• Able to listen, understand and respond constructively to the viewpoints of others.
• Able to challenge constructively, join the dots and see the wider implications, across services, processes and issues. 
• The ability to communicate clearly and openly with others in order to inform, instruct, persuade and encourage feedback.
• Demonstrates a ‘can do’ attitude and focuses energy and commitment on achieving positive results that are critical to the organisations success.
• Understands the role of the organisation, and the needs and expectations or internal and external customers, working professionally and innovatively to meet or exceed those needs and expectations.
• Demonstrates an open mind to challenge traditional approaches in a positive way, develops innovative idea, solves problems and continually improves performance.
• Collaborates and consults with others effectively, in joint pursuit of team and organisational goals.
• Understands the environment in which the organisation operates and considers the financial and wider commercial implications of their decisions and actions.
• Demonstrates the appropriate level of specialist knowledge and skills required to effectively fulfil the role and ensure continuous development.

Rewards and benefits 

• Up to 33 day’s holiday p.a. plus bank holidays - Option to ‘buy’ additional days
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
• Relocation package up to a maximum of £8,000 to cover reimbursement of expenses for newly appointed employees (conditions apply in line with council policy)
• Regular monthly formal and informal support and supervision
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Extensive Continuous Professional Development opportunities, career progression scheme including the opportunity to train as a Practice Educator, Best Interest Assessor or Adult Mental Health Practitioner.
• Learn more here: Our benefits | Jobs (oxfordshire.gov.uk) 

Our commitment to:
 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk