Information

Job Description

Job title

Interim Chief Finance Officer

Salary

Salary equivalent of £110,000 per annum

Supervision and control

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner

Place of work

Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner

Hours of work

37

Purpose of the job

To exercise the statutorily defined responsibilities for all financial affairs and have accountability for the financial probity for the two organisations of:

• Policing – for the Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC); and
• Fire – for Northamptonshire Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority (NCFRA)

• To exercise the statutory arrangements for proper financial administration and governance as set out within the statutory responsibilities under Section 151 of the Local Government Act, the Local Government Finance Act 1988, the Local Government Act 2003 and other relevant legislation.
• To deliver the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s key corporate and partnership priorities.
• To be the principal policy adviser to the PFCC on matters relevant to portfolio.
• To ensure effective use of resources through the Corporate management Team and wider workforce.
• Ensure the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and Northamptonshire Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority have appropriate and effective decision making processes in line with the principles of good governance.
• Ensure effective risk and performance management to provide assurance that the OPFCC is meeting its aims and complies with financial and legislative requirements in line with core values.
• Act as an advocate for the PFCC and NCFRA at a local, regional and national level.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Director Responsibilities
1. To lead strategically across the development and delivery of policy and practice, creating and implementing the content of the Commissioner’s programme.

2. To provide strategic direction and financial advice and challenge to the Commissioner in fulfilling his functions and providing professional leadership, responsibility and management of the overall budget, strategy and operational framework for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and the Northamptonshire Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority.

3. Discharge fully responsibilities delegated by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in discharging his responsibilities in accordance with the provisions of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

4. To represent the PFCC across executive, senior stakeholder and governmental relationships. To secure effective and highly productive relationships with key partner agencies, including local government and wider public services.

5. Influence a range of policy makers, public bodies, partners and suppliers to ensure NCFRA and the PFCC are well positioned to meet existing objectives and new challenges.

6. To be the key adviser to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, on key areas of policy and practice and lead on the development and delivery of strategy and plans within scope of portfolio.

7. To communicate at an executive level with senior stakeholders within and beyond the County, forging high-level relationships, fostering strategic partnerships, influencing key investment and policy decisions and enhancing the reputation and influence of the OPFCC and NCFRA. Ensure that both NCFRA and the OPFCC significantly contribute to national considerations concerning fire, policing and public safety;

8. Lead on the design, development and delivery of strategies relevant to portfolio, working collaboratively with key partners across the police force, fire and other organisations;

9. Provide strategic advice to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in fields relevant to portfolio, ensuring latest developments in national and international policy and practice inform local thinking;

10. Engage with partners across fire, policing, justice and third sector organisations to develop innovative approaches to service delivery and to seek funding to support new initiatives;

11. To deputise for the other Directors and to formally represent the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, as required.

Statutory Responsibilities:

1. Discharge fully the responsibilities of the Section 151 Officer for the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC) Policing Group, (including any companies, charities or joint ventures within the group) in accordance with the responsibilities under the Local Government Act s.151 and the Police, Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

2. Discharge fully the responsibilities of the Section 151 Officer for Northamptonshire
Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority (NCFRA) in accordance with the responsibilities under the Local Government Act s.151 and the Police, Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

3. Discharge fully the Duty of Best Value responsibilities as set out in Section 3 of the Local Government Act 1999 (as amended by s137 of the Local Government & Public Involvement in Health Act 2007).

4. For both NCFRA and Policing: discharge the financial strategies, budget negotiations and all statutory and public financial engagement, ensuring financial legislation is complied with.

5. In conjunction with the monitoring officer to ensure compliance with the requirements of all statutory, legislative and financial frameworks.

6. Ensure propriety in the conduct of the Commissioner’s business, including making proper arrangements and governance for contracts and tendering procedures.

7. Discharge professional leadership of Police and NCFRA finance functions to ensure both services have the capacity to deliver current and future priorities in accordance with relevant government legislation, professional standards and leading edge practices.

8. For both NCFRA and Policing, ensure appropriate financial standards and processes are in place.

9. Ensure the PFCC and NCFRA interests are represented in regard to the Northamptonshire Pension Fund, the Police and the Firefighters Pension Fund.

10. As the statutory officer charged with governance, lead the Policing, NCFRA and public sector companies engagement with external and internal auditors and discharge those responsibilities at the Joint Independent Audit Committee (JIAC).

This post has been identified as being politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 as amended by the Local Democracy, Economic, Development and Construction Act 2009.

ROLE SPECIFIC ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
Qualifications:
1. To hold a Management qualification or degree and significant experience in organisational leadership.
2. To evidence previous experience working as a Chief Officer and Section 151 Officer in large and complex organisations;
3. Qualified CCAB (Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies).
4. Membership of one or more professional bodies as set out in s.113 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.
5. Evidence of continuing professional development.

Background and Experience:
6. Substantial knowledge and experience of leading financial planning, budget preparation and control, financial risk assessment, management and resolution, statutory accounting, and financial systems and control across more than one large and complex organisation
7. Proven experience of providing strategic financial and policy advice and challenge to senior and political leaders.
8. Experience and success in:

a. Promoting, leading and influencing high performing, professional teams

b. Effective partnership working and collaboration; developing and maintaining positive
and productive relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders and strategic partners.

c. Driving cultural change and organisational vision and values.

d. Operating in a political environment, providing professional advice and guidance to and building effective working relationships with senior managers, government officials and elected members.
e. Developing strategic policies and plans.

Skills/Knowledge
9. Excellent current working knowledge and understanding of police, fire and local government law, practice and statutory requirements.