View Vacancy - CWH, CQ - Head of Finance and Procurement, HEO - Internal Vacancy
The Department for International Trade (DIT) embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation. DIT China would value applications from people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture, experience and gender.
Main Purpose of the Job:
This is an exciting time to join the Department for International Trade (DIT) as Head of Finance for DIT China and Hong Kong. Our aim is to promote UK trade and investment across the world which is vital for the prosperity of the UK. DIT brings together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment in markets across the world to help businesses succeed. This is a great opportunity to be part of an international team that contributes to the success of the UK's trade goals.
DIT operates in 108 countries. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DIT promotes UK trade to ensure the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving economic well-being, stability, and helping to create tens of thousands of jobs. DIT has one of the largest representations of the 18 government departments working in China, which are coordinated and led by His Majesty’s Ambassador who is responsible for the UK’s relationship with China. His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) is responsible for Trade and Investment work in China, one of nine global regions and the largest DIT overseas network in the world. With c.190 staff across six posts - Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan – DIT, as part of the UK government network in China offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK-China Government relations.
Sitting in the operations team, you will play a key role in supporting DIT China & Hong Kong to achieve its objectives as articulated in the Regional Trade Plan. The job holder will be responsible for the day-to-day management of DIT China’s financial records and management of budgets and spend, with key responsibility for timely maintenance of budget, forecasts and expenditure records. The role will also be responsible for procurement within the network, leading on the relationship with the procurement hub based in Manila and the UK, deciding on our procurement approach, and upskilling colleagues to ensure we are adhering to best practice and obtaining excellent value for money. In addition, the role will have lead responsibility on the preparation of monthly management information, covering financial and business performance data, to be discussed at bi-monthly Board meetings. The Head of Finance & Procurement has a critical role in supporting all teams to utilise budgets effectively to deliver outcomes and ensure tight financial controls of resources and contracts to meet strategic priorities.
The operations team includes a number of cross-cutting responsibilities supporting sector teams to work efficiently and effectively, including people management, business performance, procurement, assurance, learning and development and finance. You will report to the Head of Operations in Beijing. The operations team is a friendly and supportive team of 7 (3 roles in Beijing, 2 in Hong Kong, 1 in Shanghai, plus this job). The work can be reactive, deadline driven and at the mercy of frustrating finance systems, but we face challenges with good humour and are a fun team to be part of.
To be successful in this role, the job holder will need to collaborate with budget holders (both Directors and team leads), and in particular work closely with colleagues in Hong Kong to develop a regional understanding of finance and performance matters. The job holder will also need to maintain and actively engage with a number of key stakeholders, including DIT teams across the network, the DIT China Senior Leadership Team, FCDO finance teams (within China, Regional Hubs and the UK) and DIT teams in the UK. You will need to be confident in delivering difficult messages to colleagues of all grades.
Specific responsibilities will include:
Financial Planning, Management and Reporting (c40%)
- Day to day management of DIT China’s budget, with the aim of delivering within 1% of budget, ensuring compliance with relevant HMG Guidance, including maintenance and profiling of forecasts in the financial systems and ensuring spend is recorded accurately
- Support business planning and budget setting to allocate limited financial resources most effectively.
- Lead quarterly finance meetings with sector leads, agreeing robust and defensible forecasts, and challenging teams as necessary
- Preparation of monthly finance reports to be discussed with HQ and with HMTC, detailing budget, forecast outturn and risk mitigations
- Preparation of the bi-monthly Board Pack including finance information and progress against export, investment and trade policy objectives to support effective decision making
Procurement (30%)
- Work with colleagues in Manila and DIT HQ to: agree a procurement approach that fits within FCDO systems and controls and meets the needs of DIT; obtain agreement on contract templates and governance procedures for contract review and sign-off
- Ensure the network adheres to procurement processes and requirements
- Provide support and guidance to teams on procurement issues
- Be the subject matter expert within DIT on procurement, staying up to date on policies and guidance, changing our approach where required
Building Capability and Expertise (c20%)
- Support all teams to effectively manage resources and achieve value for money through proactively sharing information and best practice, and providing sound advice to help troubleshoot complex finance and procurement issues
- Lead the finance cadre, creating an effective virtual team to share knowledge, collaborate and build capability across the network.
Corporate Contribution (c10%)
- Provide support where necessary in delivery of the wider objectives of the Corporate Operations and DIT China team, including on cross-cutting issues
- Promote and contribute to the China business plan and network values, actively and constructively participating in Post activities
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
Although there is no direct budget managed, the role supports the management and oversight of a ~£10m delegated budget. The role is also responsible for advising on overall value for money of proposed spend and approving minor purchases from time to time.
There are currently no direct reports.
Language Requirements:
- English - excellent/highly proficient
- Mandarin - proficient, desirable but not required
Essential on arrival:
- Holding or working towards a financial qualification including ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA and CFA
- Strong financial management and budget experience
- Ability to work across teams and stakeholders based across multiple locations
- Strong interpersonal skills, including written and verbal presentation and communication skills
- Excellent excel capability
Desirable:
- Relevant procurement qualification including CIPS
- Knowledge of Oracle based accounting packages
- Experience of contract management
- Previous experience of working within Government
We offer a competitive package which includes –
- An monthly gross salary of CNY 26,561 for Chinese nationals and an abated monthly salary of CNY 34,606 per month for British Nationals and spouses/partners (all nationalities) of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria;
- Commercial insurance package including accidental, life, medical and business travel insurance
- 22 days annual leave entitlement in pro-rata which increases by 0.5 per full calendar year worked up to maximum of 25 days. We offer different types of compulsory leave in accordance to Chinese law, e.g. Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, Marriage Leave, Parental leave, etc.
- In addition to the above compulsory leave, we also offer other types of leaves with pay e.g. Study Leave, Volunteering Leave to support staff who undertakes volunteering activities, Special Paid Leave to deal with emergencies involving a close family member, and more.
- Employee Assistance Programme which is a confidential service providing help, support and information to staff to resolve and manage situations causing concern whether at work or personal nature is available to staff 24/7;
- There is also plenty of opportunity to develop on and off the job, and establish expertise and build capability. We are strongly supportive of the job holder continuing to develop their professional skills. The Mission encourages a blended learning culture based on the 70/20/10 model which includes e-learning, mentoring, coaching, other development activities and role-specific required trainings. This offer also includes supporting staff members to take part in a 5 days of learning activities each year.
Learning and Development Opportunities:
There is plenty of opportunity to develop on and off the job, and to establish expertise and build capability. We are strongly supportive of the job holder continuing to develop their trade and investment professionalism.
In addition, opportunities and activities include:
- Attending external events and conferences hosted by academic institutions, business chambers, etc
- Learning and Development programmes, which have recently included leadership, line management, interpretation, presentation skills, effective remote working and trade policy.
- Opportunities for job shadowing across the network
- An individual bid fund providing funding to support more tailored learning and development needs.
Working Patterns:
Conditioned working hours is 35 hours/week from Monday to Friday.
Other Information:
This role will require occasional travel around the DIT China & Hong Kong network.
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks.
Staff who are locally recruited by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Chinese employment law.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.
Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field "Application deadline."
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core behaviours listed above.
All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender, and nationality.
The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
