Finance Administrator
Post Introduction
The main purpose of the Finance Administrator role is to ensure the effective implementation of financial policy through administration of the ordination training budget. This comprises tuition fees paid to Theological Education Institutions (TEIs) and maintenance grants paid to some 1200 ordinands in training each year by all 42 dioceses.
Ministry Development Team (MDT) is engaged in a major programme of change with the result that the way in which these grants are assessed, allocated and paid will change significantly. The Finance and Data Administrator will have a key role in implementation of the new arrangements as well as ensuring high levels of service and process improvement in the light of experience and stakeholder feedback.
Please note this is a 12-month fixed term contract.
About the Department
As members of the Ministry Development Team (MDT) our work both shapes and is aligned with the Church of England's Vision and Strategy to see a Church which is Jesus Christ shaped and centred. We aim to be a younger and more diverse church of missional disciples where a mixed ecology of worshipping communities is the norm. Our focus is primarily outwards, towards those we support and guide in local churches, 42 dioceses and 22 Theological Education Institutions (TEIs). In order to deliver this, we work collaboratively with colleagues in other parts of the MDT and in other parts of the National Church Institutions (NCIs).
In a typical year, the Church of England financially supports the training of over 1,000 ordinands (trainee clergy) together with an expanding portfolio of support for Lay Ministries training. The latter has a strong focus on work with children and young people.
What you'll be doing
In this role you will:
- Ensure clear communication of financial income and expenditure with colleagues in the Ministry Development Team
- Ensure effective expense payment workflows on SAP
- Provide colleagues in the Ministry Development Team with financial information including expenditure and supplier payments
- Administration of the Train a Priest (TAP), Women’s continuing ministerial education trust (WCMET) and other Hardship Grants
- Complete calculation and payment of tuition fees and maintenance grants for continuing students
- Monitor and report on the use of MDT restricted funds
About You
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- Familiarity with use of databases and financial systems such as SAP
- High level of computer literacy in particular the creation and formatting of spreadsheets
- Experience of working with grants and finances preferable in a Church or other charitable organisation
- High numeracy skills and attention to detail
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
For a full person specification, please see the attached job description.
The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minoritised Ethnicities (UKME)/Global Majority Heritage (GMH) and other under-represented groups.
What we offer
Our benefits include:
- A salary of £20,029 per annum (£33,382 FTE) plus age-related pension contributions between 8-15% of salary. We will also match any pension contributions you make up to an additional 3% of salary.
- 25 days annual leave (increasing to 30 days within 5 years) plus three additional days
- Flexible working hours and location, with an expectation of just 1-2 days per week in our office in Westminster
- Structured induction programme and access to a range of development opportunities including apprenticeships
- Access to Occupational Health, and an Employee Assistance Programme
- Opportunity to the Civil Service Sports & Social Club, and get involved in a range of staff networks, groups and societies
We try to be as flexible as we can in your work pattern to support you with other commitments, and to give a good work-life balance.
The National Church Institutions comprises a wide variety of teams, professions and functions that support the mission and ministries of the Church of England in its vision to be a church, centred on Jesus Christ, for the whole nation - a church that is simpler, humbler, bolder.
We Include. You Belong.
Our Belonging and Inclusion Strategy aims for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.
Living out our values in all that we do, we:
- Strive for Excellence
- Show Compassion
- Respect others
- Collaborate
- Act with Integrity
We believe our commitment to belonging and inclusion fuels our progress and drives us forward. The NCIs are a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We welcome applications from people of all faiths and of no faith. We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people who share our values. Even if you have never thought about working for us before, if you have the skills and experience we’re looking for then we would like to hear from you.
