Army - Public Funds Accountant IMPREST Operator - Germany Support Unit

Job summary

The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations.

Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff.

There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army. As such using data to aid understanding of our workforce is vital.

Sennelager Garrison Germany Support Unit (GSU) provides firm base support to enable units to deliver Field Army Training and deploy on operations.

The team delivers a whole range of support activities from facilities management, supporting infrastructure projects, auditing contract delivery, supporting Industry Partners and the security of our people.

The team is at the forefront of the drive to improve the lived experience. The Garrison itself is an ever-evolving environment and, over the past 5 years, has seen a positive increase to the population.

It is anticipated that this growth will continue in the short to mid-term, adding to the vibrancy of the community.

The IMPREST Operator s role is to deliver business continuity, through the financial hub within the garrison, and, where possible, to support visiting exercising units, throughout the year.

Therefore, it is crucial that the successful runner is energetic and brings with them a wealth of experience, is reliable and can communicate efficiently.

These attributes will resonate through a small team, to whom the successful candidate will be expected to lead.

The tour length is 3 years.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

In collaboration with the Regimental Admin Officer (RAO), the IMPREST operator is the authority on all publicly funded activity within an organisation.

They are responsible to the Commander for operating the GSU IMPREST / COM and associated bank account. Additionally, they will assist in the management of the administration department.

The successful candidate will coordinate and, on occasion, lead a small team to provide a number of Firm Base and Host Nation services, to the wider garrison community.

They will also provide management resilience, during absences, for the and will work with multiple higher formations, when necessary.

Administration and Counselling of Public Funds

The IMPREST Operator (IO) will be the unit electronic Payment Card (ePC) holder, making administrative purchases (including Passport's and Visa's), following current governmental policy.

They must be proficient with Contracting Purchase & Finance (CP&F) and will hold an account, to enable low level purchases, as well as ensuring that Admin staff are conversant with, and are adhering to, financial regulations.

The IO is key in drafting financial instructions and delivering briefings in support of unit / group deployments, supporting the completion of financial and personal administration caseworks, will maintain the Concessionary Travel Forms, Home to Duty Travel and Child Education Allowance (CEA) registers and will inform the command team and community on key policy changes, when appropriate.

The IO will assume ownership of unit personnel pay accounts. Consequently, they must ensure that team members who have access to pay accounts, are mentored meticulously, in order to conduct their specific roles credibly.

They will provide advice on both the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and will sign-post on external professional financial advice, such as, home purchase, insurance services, savings and personal taxation, etc.

The IO will see that the duties of this appointment are conducted in line with relevant policies and that the operation of the public funds bank account, including issuing of cheques, banking of excess cash holdings, daily bank reconciliation and the continuous monitoring of transactions, are processed.

Additionally, they will make certain that the unit public bank account mandate is current with any amendments presented to Commander for authorisation.

They will assure the payment and receipt of public monies is accurately accounted for, vouchers are adequately evidenced, and contain appropriate and relevant Budgetary authority.

As well as seeing to it that the debit voucher register is satisfactorily maintained, and that the necessary follow-up action is taken, in respect of outstanding public debts.

Thereafter, they are empowered to certify incomes and expenditures to DBS, using the directed reporting process. They will then present the monthly accounts and reconciliation, to the IMPREST Checking Officer and Commander for appropriate action.

If you need to contact Defence Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by Resourcing Team 1.

If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team at

Person specification

Desirable

Control account experience.

Previous extensive experience in role.

Experience of associated role policy documents.

Associated experience of oracle based role platforms.

Knowledge of appropriate organisational structures.

Proficient experience of MoD electronic filing systems.

Proficient knowledge of GDPR.

Financial skills certificate.

Service Funds account certificate.

Contracting Purchasing & Finance (CP&F) trained.

Previous MoD and / or Military experience as an Imprest Operator would be an advantage but is in no way essential as training will be provided.

Essential

IMPREST qualififed.

Full and valid Driving Licence.

Licences

Full and valid driving licence.

Qualifications

Must be IMPREST qualified : Unit IMPREST Operator.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process :

• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form :

Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of 28,300, Ministry of Defence contributes 8,198 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work / life balance.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estates capacity.

Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or carry out detached duty in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of attendance.

Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details).

DBS cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

Other benefits for Army civil servants include :

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years service
• 8 Public Holidays
• 1 Privilege Day
• Personal and professional development of skills
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
• On-site parking is available.
• Access to on-site Gymnasium.
• Access to Pay as You Dine facilities.
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A with an average employer contribution of 27%

We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career.

This includes working towards membership of a professional body and / or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.

A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career.

Discover My Benefits :

Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD.

This post offers full relocation allowances subject to availability. Cost of Living Overseas Allowances is payable based on personal circumstances and marital status.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Please read the attached document SOFA Restrictions to confirm you are eligible to apply for this post.