The Finance Analyst will act as a first point of contact for routine finance queries within allocated business areas, helping colleagues understand and meet their financial responsibilities. The role will provide constructive challenge, promote value for money and support the application of FCDO financial policies, processes and controls.

Roles and responsibilities
We all have a responsibility to embrace the changes of the FCDO as it transforms, building the culture we want to see and delivering our cultural statement. How we lead and behave towards others, how we make decisions, and how we get the job done is everyone’s responsibility.

In this role you will also be responsible for: 

• Supporting financial planning, budgeting and forecasting across programme and operational
  budgets, working with budget holders to maintain realistic, evidence-based forecasts and
  accurate budget profiles.
• Producing timely, accurate and insightful management information; analysing movements
  between budgets, forecasts and actual expenditure; and explaining material variances, risks,
  pressures and opportunities.
• Maintaining the integrity of financial data and supporting month-end, year-end and in-year
  processes, including journals, accruals, prepayments, budget transfers, financial housekeeping
  and centrally commissioned returns, as relevant to the role.
• Building constructive relationships with programme, policy and corporate teams; providing
  accessible financial advice, support and challenge; and helping ensure that finance is
  considered in operational and programme decisions.
• Supporting financial capability and continuous improvement by helping colleagues use finance
  tools and guidance effectively, sharing good practice, strengthening controls and identifying
  opportunities to improve reporting and processes.

• Experience of financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, accounting, reporting or
  supporting the effective management of resources.
• Understanding of accounting principles, including accruals, prepayments, journals and variance
  analysis.
• Experience of supporting budget holders or delivering guidance to non-finance colleagues.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and the ability to review financial information, identify
  errors or unusual movements and produce accurate outputs.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information
  clearly to finance and non-finance audiences.
• Ability to build effective working relationships and provide proportionate support and constructive
  challenge to stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, work to
  deadlines and maintain a high-quality service.
• A positive and proactive approach to continuous improvement, with the ability to identify
  problems and work collaboratively to improve processes and controls.
• Confidence using Microsoft Excel and the ability to learn and use corporate financial systems
  effectively.
• An interest in developing a career in finance and a willingness to build relevant technical
  knowledge and professional capability.
• Experience of programme, operational or public-sector financial management, including ODA
  funded activity.
• Working towards, or willingness to work towards, a recognised professional finance
  qualification, subject to relevant policy, eligibility and approval. (CCAB or CIMA or equivalent)