Financial Management Development Scheme. Information for Applicants

Transcription

1 Financial Management Development Scheme Information for Applicants GFP 2010

2 Welcome The centre of government is a challenging yet exciting place to work, whether it s your first role since graduating, or if you've got many years' work experience. HM Treasury has a vast remit, which covers public spending on everything from education to defence, health to climate change and policing to international development - as well as government policy on taxation, financial stability and macroeconomic issues. So, by joining us you'll be part of a policy team that's working on some of the most important economic and financial issues facing the country. Before long, you could be giving advice to ministers, which will have a direct impact in the UK and across the globe. About Us HM Treasury ( is the UK's finance and economics ministry. We are responsible for formulating and implementing the Government's financial and economic policies. Our aim is to raise the rate of sustainable growth, and achieve rising prosperity and a better quality of life with economic and employment opportunities for every citizen. Our agenda is huge, ranging from social reform to financial stability at home and abroad, from promoting competition and enterprise through to providing better public services. We're a relatively small Government department, employing around 1,200 people, the majority at our headquarters which overlooks St James' Park in the heart of Westminster. The Treasury is organised into a number of different areas, each having a particular focus: Budget, Tax and Welfare Those working in the Budget, Tax and Welfare (BTW) area are responsible for ensuring the public finances are managed in accordance with the Code for Fiscal Stability, as well as project-managing the publication of the Budget and Pre- Budget Report, and promoting a fair and efficient tax and welfare system that offers incentives to work, save and invest. International and Finance Staff in International and Finance (IF) work to promote the UK economic prosperity by maintaining financial stability internationally and in the UK. This area also has responsibility for promoting global prosperity, and ensuring a fair and efficient financial sector.

3 Macroeconomic and Fiscal Policy The Macroeconomic and Fiscal Policy (MFP) teams maintain leading edge monetary and fiscal policy frameworks and provide expert policy advice. Those working in this area are responsible for forecasting economic prospects and public sector finances, and promoting efficient and effective government debt, cash and reserves management. Public Services and Growth Public Services and Growth (PSG) is responsible for the effective control and allocation of public spending, higher productivity in the public and private sectors, efficiency and excellence in public services and stronger economic growth. Permanent Secretary and Ministerial Support Those working in the Permanent Secretary and Ministerial Support (PERM) area support the ministers, Treasury Board and Permanent Secretary in providing strategic direction to the organisation so that we can deliver our objectives and targets. Corporate Services Our Finance, Procurement, IT, Facilities and Internal Audit teams provide a service to the core Treasury, and also other organisations within the Treasury Group. The corporate services area also manages the Treasury's legal services, and leads on the development of Knowledge Management. Departmental Strategic Objectives Treasury has two Departmental Strategic Objectives (DSOs) for the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR2007) period: 1. Maintaining sound public finances; and 2. Ensuring high and sustainable levels of economic growth, well being and prosperity for all. In addition, the Treasury will be a delivery partner for seven of the Government s Public Service Agreements (PSAs) for the CSR2007 period. Raise the productivity of the UK economy Deliver the conditions for business success in the UK Improve the economic performance of all English regions and reduce the gap in economic growth rates between regions Maximise employment opportunity for all

4 Halve the number of children in poverty by , on the way to eradicating child poverty by 2020 Lead the global effort to avoid dangerous climate change Reduce poverty in poorer countries through quicker progress towards the Millennium Development Goals For more information on the Treasury visit Number and Types of Role Offered Up to 3 posts; with flexible start dates commencing after March Location London. Institutes Supported Institutes supported: Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW). Support for Study Towards Professional Qualifications Generous study package including: study leave; course, examination and membership fees. Treasury will be making a substantial investment in the trainee. There is, therefore an expectation that, successful candidates will remain within central government, for at least three years, post qualification. If a trainee Finance Professional, discontinues training; leaves before qualification; or leaves central government within three years of qualification they may be liable to reimburse Treasury all or part of the study costs incurred. Criteria for Entry Candidates must have a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree (predicted or equivalent) to apply for these posts. All staff must be security cleared in order to work in the Treasury.

5 Other Development The Treasury offers every opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge you need to do your job well and prepare you for new or more challenging work. The department has Investors in People (IiP) accreditation - the national standard that demonstrates we are fully committed to the learning and development of our staff. The Learning and Development team provide a programme of core courses internally. This programme is aligned with the Professional Skills for Government framework and includes development in: People management; Financial management ; Programme and project management; Analysis and use of evidence; Strategic thinking; and Communications and marketing. In addition the core programme offers development in: Office skills; Desktop IT; Induction; Policy delivery; Microeconomics; Macroeconomics; and Leadership. The team also supports other learning activities such as the quarterly event for the SCS, and team and directorate events. They also run programmes targeted at talented people with potential for progression. The first of these, Prospects is for those in ranges B-C with potential. Other development opportunities include external courses, seminars, conferences, further education etc. Every team has a budget for learning and development, and each person has a development plan, agreed with their manager as part of setting objectives each year. Some directorates organise internal training events, or speakers on relevant topics. Staff may also receive financial support and/or time off to gain relevant professional qualifications, or to keep their continuing professional development (CPD) up to date.

6 Salary The minimum starting salary is 26,910. Most individuals will start on the minimum salary, although those with relevant work experience may be offered a higher starting salary of up to 30,000. Individuals who have a Masters degree in economics may qualify for an additional 2,000 on their basic salary. Hours The standard working week in the Treasury is 36 hours; however, there are a number of options to make it easier for people to balance work with other activities outside the office. The Treasury is committed to offering flexible work patterns to enable to staff to maintain an effective work-life balance. Options include flexible working hours, part-time or compressed working, and working from home. Individuals wishing to work flexibly need the agreement of their line manager. From 6 April 2003, parents of children aged under six or disabled children aged under 18 have the right to apply to work flexibly and their employers will have a duty to consider these requests seriously. The DTI have published guidance, which is available from their website: Training and Development All staff joining the Treasury participate in a comprehensive induction programme. Shortly after joining, you will agree a development plan with your line manager, and this may include a variety of different learning and development activities, including training course, coaching in specific skills and participation in special projects. Leave We offer 25 days annual leave per year, rising to 30 days after 4 years' service. Additionally, all staff are entitled to 2.5 days privilege leave per year, to be taken at Easter, Christmas and for the Queen's birthday. Staff also receive paid leave for the 8 public holidays per year. Part-time staff receive a pro-rata allowance of annual and privilege leave.

7 Special Leave The Treasury acknowledges that there will be occasions when employees need to request time off over and above their annual leave. The special leave policy, provides details of where the Treasury will authorise additional leave, either paid or unpaid, in order to meet statutory obligations, or as a matter of good practice. Maternity, Adoption and Paternity Leave The Treasury recognises the valuable contribution of our employees in achieving the organisation objectives. We seek to retain and develop skills and experience at every opportunity and to enable employees to balance their work and personal commitments. We recognise that parenthood brings additional responsibilities and we aim to provide policies for supporting these life changes and allowing employees their full statutory rights. The department provides paid and unpaid maternity and adoption leave and paid paternity leave. Childcare The Treasury contributes to the cost of childcare for staff with primary care responsibilities for children aged up to 15 years (or 18 years in the case of children with disabilities). Currently, support is 40 per week (pro-rata for part-time staff) paid via tax-free childcare vouchers. A play scheme also operates on site during school holidays. Pension The Civil Service offers a choice of pension scheme, giving individuals the flexibility to choose the scheme which best meets their needs. More details about the pension scheme can be found online at: Promotion The Treasury promotes individuals on merit. All vacancies are advertised on NetOasis, and most welcome applications from those in a lower range, although there are some posts that will not be open on promotion. The Treasury has a promotion agreement with TRUST.

8 Retirement The current retirement age in the Treasury is 65 although staff are entitled to request to continue working beyond this age. Retirement age and pension age separate concepts, meaning staff do not have to work until they are 65. Once an individual s pension becomes payable, staff can choose to leave work and take their pension subject to the usual notice periods. Health Care A number of Civil Service organisations, friendly societies and private commercial companies offer private health care at special rates to Civil Servants. These companies include: BUPA Civil Service Medical Aid Association The Hospital Saturday Fund The Hospital Saving Association Nationwide Physiotherapy Association The Post Office & Civil Service Sanatorium Society Plan Ahead with PPP WPA Health Insurance On-Site Facilities Facilities inside the Treasury offices include a gym, restaurant, café and deli bar. Insurance Services The Civil Service Insurance Society was formed in 1890 to provide good quality insurance for Civil Servants as cheaply as possible by special schemes and allowing back the greater proportion of the commission. It is non-profit making and covenants any surplus income over the expenditure to the Civil Service Widows and Orphans Fund. Management of the Society is by a voluntary committee of Civil Servants. The Society has been associated with the same companies throughout its existence and if it cannot provide the exact cover required, they will provide it direct from a local office, usually at a discount. The companies are: Car & Household: Royal Insurance (UK) Ltd Life & Related: Commercial Union More details can be found on the CSIS website:

9 Motoring Services The Civil Service Motoring Association (CSMA) is a non-profit making association. Members are able to take advantage of some very substantial savings on both their motoring and leisure activities. For an annual subscription from as little as 12 members are entitled to a wide range of cost-savings services and facilities. Season Ticket and Bicycle Loans All staff are eligible to apply for an interest-free loan for quarterly, 6-monthly or annual season ticket, or to purchase a bicycle for the purposes of travelling to work. Civil Service Club The Civil Service Club is situated in the Heart of London and exists to cater for the needs of Civil Servant's nationwide, on their visits to the capital, for business or pleasure. For a modest annual subscription membership is available to all serving and retired Civil Servants. The club aims to provide a comfortable friendly service in the manner of a good quality hotel. The Club has a large and comfortable ground floor bar serving a wide range of beers, wines and spirits at low prices. The Club offers individually prepared hot and cold dishes, with a waitress service. Their Dining Room offers a wide selection of freshly prepared dishes, accompanied by wines of your choice. There are comfortable lounges where members may meet in a quiet atmosphere, a television lounge is also provided. The Club has twenty-three bedrooms, all with beverage making facilities and some with showers en-suite, direct dial telephones and colour TV. Prices include full English breakfast and VAT. The Club can arrange a party to suit any occasion, their elegantly furnished Elizabethan Room provides a gracious setting. There are also facilities for conferences, seminar, regular meetings and AGM's. The Club also organises a wide variety of activities, catering for members of all ages. Discos, wine tasting, theatre visits, and speciality `theme' functions and group visits to sporting occasions are a few examples. Interested? Then why not visit the Club and ask for more information about current. The Club is located at: 13/15 Great Scotland Yard, London SW1A 2HJ.

10 Probation Staff new to the Civil Service are usually required to complete a probationary period of six months. Line managers may extend this in exceptional circumstances. Equal Opportunities HM Treasury has a strong commitment to equality and diversity, as shown in the Ten- Point Diversity Delivery Plan. Our aim is to be a department which is open and accessible, recruiting and retaining diverse, talented and high-performing people who support and develop one another. HM Treasury guarantees to interview any disabled applicants, provided they meet the minimum criteria for the post, and inform the recruiting manager of their eligibility for a guaranteed interview in their covering letter.