21591 - Financial Planning Advisor

About the role

General Information Salary The national salary range is £42,914 - £46,182, London salary range is £49,325 - £53,081. Your salary will be dependent on your base location Working Pattern Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working Vacancy Approach External Location National Region National Closing Date 10-Sep-2026 Post Type Permanent Civil Service Grade SEO Number of jobs available 1 Reserve List 12 Months Job ID 21591 Descriptions & requirements Job description Job Title: Financial Planning Advisor Grade: Senior Executive Officer  Business Group:  Chief Operating Officer Group Contract Type: Permanent Directorate: Finance Strategy and Partnerships Team: Financial Strategy and Planning Location: National Information about the MoJ and its priorities can be found at Finance / Strategy, Performance and Innovation Background The Finance Strategy and Planning Team is responsible for setting MoJ's financial strategy and delivering our medium-term financial plan. We work with colleagues in every area of the department at every level, to make sure that finance is at the heart of decision making, and that when developing our strategic plans, we understand and have gained buy-in from policy, operational and corporate colleagues. We also represent the department to HM Treasury, for whom we are the main link, including in negotiations over the department's financial settlement. Our work is fast paced, high priority and strategic, regularly reporting directly to the Executive Committee, the Permanent Secretary and the Secretary of State, and influencing all areas of departmental planning. Key work will include planning for, negotiating and delivering the recently announced Spending Review, assisting Ministers in forming their plans and priorities over this Parliament, managing the annual budget allocations process, and continuing to scrutinise and challenge how funding supports delivery of the department’s key objectives.    FSP is a friendly multi-disciplinary team, representing policy, finance, and strategy experience. We work hard to foster an inclusive atmosphere and value a broad range of experiences in the team. We have a good record of colleagues leaving these roles on promotion and to other high-profile roles in Private Office and at the centre of Government. About the Role Role Summary SEO Financial Planning Advisors are expected to own the leadership of processes and products to support Financial Planning, Fiscal Events and build and maintain the single point of contact relationship with their counter parts in the department’s business groups. They often have project management type roles to lead the delivery of set pieces, commissioning work, leading the collation of responses / outputs, and resolving issues presented. They are required to understand the big picture of the delivery for their team and commission and collate with confidence, often asking senior stakeholders in the Department to complete delivery, sometimes on short deadlines. Main Activities / Responsibilities The job holder will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities: Developing a strategic understanding of the business, its stakeholders, and deliverables. Clearly communicating technical, business and financial information to internal and external stakeholders, using the most appropriate methods, including l eading on drafting for briefing to seniors (Senior Civil Servants) and Ministers. The post holder will be responsible for building and maintaining effective key stakeholder relationships within their own areas of responsibility and the wider business area. Leading on areas of ownership for preparation and delivery of Spending Review and Fiscal Events, e.g., may represent a specific area of the Department Own strategic product development and leadership, including embedding improvements in analytical capability across the team (including experience of or willingness to develop skills on Power BI or similar data analytical tools) The post holder will support the business to manage their budgets effectively, providing challenge to decisions to help provide assurance that decisions being taken by stakeholders are making the most effective use of resources through the analysis of financial data to support key discussions across the Department and with HMT Providing guidance and coordination with other finance functions on HMT priorities and requirements. Helping to build financial and commercial awareness of non-finance staff within the business by p roviding ad-hoc analysis and additional insight on specific issue and be confident in presenting to the business and across finance functions Leading responses and developing resolutions as required for ad-hoc enquiries including PQs / FOIs. Working closely with the management accounting team to ensure join-up, particularly through ongoing dataset alignment, and effective handovers of future-year information for in-year management Coordinating and as appropriate contributing to completing of commissions that support central financial processes such as annual budget build and the spending review. Support the G7 in delivery of responsibilities, deputising for them as appropriate. The post holder will be required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post. This may also include working closely with other MoJ Finance staff to develop solutions/problem-solve, engaging in project work to drive finance improvements. Person Specification Able to work independently, proactively, passionately, and confidently on high-profile areas across the Department and lead others to achieve quality and on time delivery of outputs. Comfortable and confident in working at pace to manage a full workload with conflicting short and long-term priorities. Building positive relationships with partners in other teams, and influencing others through excellent interpersonal and communication skills, tailored to the recipient. This includes the ability to critically consider and confidently challenge stakeholders regarding their delivery or information and translating across functions to obtain a joined-up approach. Influencing policy development and decisions, using analytical skills and different evidence sources to provide ministers or senior officials with high-quality advice. Transferable experience for providing written and oral briefings to Ministers and/or senior officials. Leading collaboratively with structure, by constructing clear timelines and processes, with interdependencies and owners, to lead others to successful delivery with clear products and outcomes for the process. Fostering and leading a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration between policy, programmes, the business, finance, and other corporate services. Essential Criteria Candidates will be assessed against the following Core Professional Skills Professional Skills Key for Levels of Professional Skills A = Awareness W = Working P = Practitioner E = Expert Subheadings / Professional Skills / Level  Core Strategic analysis and insight - P Oral and written presentation skills - E Data and analytics interpretation  - W Influencing Senior Leaders and Ministers (including drafting skills) - E The Budgeting Framework - W Proactive problem resolution - W Understanding the role of the NAO - A Negotiating with Pragmatism - W Support the PAC Agenda - W Government Financial Reporting and governance requirements - W Desirable Criteria Useful Budgeting, Forecasting and Costing - W Risk management and fraud - A Taxation - A Performance and risk management - W Commercial acumen - W Investment appraisal and evaluation - W Please note that whilst we don’t assess or score ‘desirable’ criteria, we may consider evidence provided that demonstrates meeting the desirable elements of the role, only after essential criteria is assessed and where there is a need to differentiate between closely scored candidates.  Application process You will be assessed against the  Civil service success profiles framework. Sift Behaviours Communicating and Influencing (Lead Behaviour) Working Together Leadership Managing a Quality Service Please provide examples of how you have met each of the behaviours (or list other criteria) below: Statement of Suitability for the role 500-word limit CV Civil Service Behaviours including; Communicating and Influencing (Lead Behaviour) Working Together Leadership Managing a quality service Please refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade: If we receive a large number of applications, we will carry out an initial sift on the lead criteria of Communicating and Influencing. Statement of Suitability A Statement of Suitability (maximum 500 words) outlining how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the role. Candidates invited to Interview Please note that interviews will be carried out remotely via MS Teams. During the interview, we will be assessing you on Behaviours and Strengths from the Success Profiles framework. Behaviours Communicating and Influencing (Lead Behaviour) Working Together Leadership Managing a Quality Service Contact Information For more information about the role please contact   Additional Information Working Arrangements & Further Information The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity. Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.  This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).  For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended). Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made. MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer. All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet. Flexible working hours The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy. Benefits The MoJ offers a range of benefits: Annual Leave Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis. Pension The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best. Training The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities. Networks The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. Support A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share. Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services. For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on   or  Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at . Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave. Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens. Working for the Civil Service The  Civil Service Code  sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's  recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail  ); To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ( ); To the Civil Service Commission (details available  here ) As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos. You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team. Diversity & Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the  Civil Service People Plan   and the  Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. A Great Place to Work for Veterans The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces. For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit:  Redeployment Interview Scheme Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'. MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion. Civil Service Nationality Rules This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)  nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)  Reserve list A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles. Contact Information MoJ: If you require any assistance please call (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail  Please quote the job reference: 21591 HMPPS If you require any assistance please call (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail  Please quote the job reference: 21591 Allowance Finance Specialist allowance for qualified applicants Job Description Attachment BC436 - JD - SEO - Financial Planning Advisor.doc (Job Description Attachment) Download | Preview | Open in a new tab Close preview Select new file Application form stage assessments Behaviours A sift based on the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered. Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit 500 Communicating and Influencing Working Together Leadership Managing a Quality Service Experience We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability Statement of Suitability Guidance for the Statement of Suitability A Statement of Suitability (maximum 500 words) outlining how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the role. Evidence of Experience CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability Interview stage assessments Interview Dates Expected September 2026 Behaviours Communicating and Influencing Working Together Leadership Managing a Quality Service Strengths Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here. Level of security checks required Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS) Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al) Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our  candidate guidance  for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.