Children's Services Department Selection Criteria

Please note:  The essential skills, experience, knowledge, abilities and qualifications for this position are outlined below.  Applicants who do not directly address each item in the selection criteria below, on their application form, are unlikely to be shortlisted.

1. A commitment to the Council’s equal opportunities policy and the ability to promote and implement the policy in relation to the job responsibilities.
2. Experience relevant to the duties and responsibilities of the post.
3. Ability to lead, manage and develop a team of finance officers especially with regard to the achievement of individual, team and departmental performance targets.
4. Ability to manage own workload and that of a team including complex activities within established timescales.
5. Ability to lead, manage and coordinate a key financial process (departmental revenue and capital estimates, including MTFS, departmental corporate revenue monitoring or closing of accounts) including related financial and management accounting.
6. Demonstrate effective inter-personal skills, including the ability to convey complex, contentious and confidential information effectively to a range of stakeholders using the appropriate medium.
7. Ability to prepare, use, analyse and interpret financial and non-financial data for financial and management accounting purposes, such as forecasting and the reallocation of Service Management and Support Service Costs (SMSS).
8. Ability to effectively manage and develop financial administration procedures within a local authority or similar organisation, with particular regard to major items of expenditure and income of a Children’s Services department, such as children’s social care, schools, youth services, extended services, Children’s Centres and asylum.
9. Ability to appraise and manage the production of statistical and financial returns, and to liaise with senior management and external agencies with regards such information.
10. Ability to extensively apply, review and develop spreadsheet and other electronic financial systems to support financial management, including producing written procedures and promoting effective and appropriate use.
11. Knowledge and understanding of local government finance and services, including key issues and major developments affecting Children’s Services in particular.
12. Fully conversant with, and able to implement, accounting standards and the Best Value Accounting Code of Practice.