AMS PSR

On behalf of Defra, we are looking for X3 SEO Senior Implementation Finance Officers (Inside IR35) for a remote contract up until March, 2028.

In the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people’s lives. We are responsible for England’s environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. We have developed a set of three strategic objectives covering our policy outcomes and corporate objectives. These objectives help us to deliver our ambitious vision to build our green and healthy future and provide a framework for all the important work we carry out.

Our objectives are:

• To pass on to the next generation a natural environment protected and enhanced for the future. 
• To lead the world in food, farming, and fisheries with a sustainable model of food production. 
• To be an outstanding organisation focused on making a difference, with world class delivery capability.

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs www.gov.uk. 

25 Year Environment Plan - GOV.UK www.gov.uk.

As a Senior Implementation Finance officer, your main responsibilities will be:-

• Support the NCA process owner to deliver the new ERP system.
• Shape local design, tailoring the Common Design to operational needs.
• Support the build phase, including configuration and data readiness.
• Coordinate system integration testing, ensuring end‑to‑end accuracy.
• Support UAT, working with users and identifying training needs.
• Assist cutover activities, including data migration and go‑live readiness.
• Provide briefing and insight to support cross‑government engagement.
• Work with other departments to align accounting policies and processes.
• Coordinate input from subject matter experts as required.
• Capture and apply lessons learned from other ERP implementations.
• Review documentation and provide clear, practical feedback.
• Act as a detailed finance and systems specialist, escalating issues to G7.
• Line manage staff and support team delivery.

Essential:

• Experience with Oracle/SOP finance systems
• Strong finance delivery in fast‑paced environments
• Proven ERP implementation experience
• Confident working to tight project timescales
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Clear, credible written and verbal communicator
• Able to engage and motivate others
• Drives change, efficiency and improvement
• Works effectively across teams to influence outcomes
• Solid government finance knowledge
• Strong fixed assets / NCA experience

Desirable:

• You will hold an accounting qualification or QBE

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Defra guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant 

Defra guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".