Job responsibilities
As part of the main duties, you will be expected to:
- Lead op-ex budget preparation and work with UKHSA stakeholders to set departmental financial objectives and targets.
- Monitor op-ex budgetary expenditure and seek necessary approval from line manager.
- Provide monthly financial reconciliation reporting to EEF management team.
- Contribute to financial reconciliation and year end account management and reporting.
- Verify invoices and supporting information to facilitate approval processes.
- Facilitate work / purchase order processing and approval processing.
- Lead cap-ex budget preparation and work with UKHSA stakeholders to secure funding in response to asset life cycle replacement plan, forward maintenance plan and any other forecasted cap-ex expenditure initiatives.
- Comply with payment and other financial contractual terms and conditions between UKHSA and supply chain.
- To line manage or supervise colleagues as required.
- Comply with UKHSA financial controls and procedures.
- Comply with UKHSA financial management electronic systems.
- Participate and support internal and external financial auditing of accounts and procedures.
- Compile financial management reports as required.
- Work in collaboration with the Maintenance Manager to maintain a spare parts and stock control system, reconciling expenditure and consumption as required.
- First point of contact for UKHSA and supply chain for all financial matters within the department.
- Work with UKHSA stakeholders, and other contractors and suppliers as required to settle financial disputes.
- Contribute to financial and other meetings as required.
This is not an exhaustive list.
Professional development
You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, whilst maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.
You will be expected to identify, discuss and action your own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisals and individual development planning.
You will also be expected to attend internal and external training events and participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
Key working relationships
The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include:
Internal
- Head of Estates, Engineering and Facilities
- Head of Site Engineering and Security
- Commercial Leads and Category Managers
- Engineering Quality, Capital Works Programme Manager
- Operations Manager
- Equipment Support Manager
- Financial managers through organisation
- Capital Project Team
External
- Specialist contractors (Fire, security and BMS)
- Porton Biopharma Limited (at all levels)
- Auditors
Essential criteria
- Financial experience and background in financial accounting, budget management, and financial processing.
- Experience of direct supervising or managing staff.
- Knowledge and experience in using MS Excel and financial management systems and databases.
- Excellent numerical and analytical skills.
- Interpersonal skills, able to build effective working relationships at all levels and between organisations.
- Communication skills with ability to communicate clearly in verbal and written form with direct reports, line manager and other stakeholders at all levels.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable criteria:
- Experience in a highly regulated industry and conversant with financial auditing and compliance requirements, preferably in the public sector.
- Knowledge and experience in financial management reporting.
- Knowledgeable in areas of service contract negotiation, contract management, cost and price management.
- Organisational skills and ability to scan the horizon, anticipating future challenges and mitigating actions.
- Ability to solve problems and summarise financial problems, identify and recommend timely and realistic solutions to your line manager and other senior stakeholders as may be required.
Selection process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, strengths and experience.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:
- an application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- a 1000 word supporting statement
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.
The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
- Financial experience and background in financial accounting, budget management, and financial processing.
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Behaviours, strengths and experience will be tested at interview.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Changing and Improving
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working at Pace
Interviews are planned for week commencing 12th January 2026. Please note, these dates are subject to change.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Scientific Campus in Porton Down. Please note that hybrid working is not available for this role.
Eligibility criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter Terrorism Check clearance.
For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance.
UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
