AMS PSR

On behalf of Defra, we are looking for a Commercial Finance Analyst x 2 (Inside IR35) until 31st March 2026 contract based REMOTELY/ UK.

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 .

These roles will help create a clearly defined Finance Service Offer that is simple, strategic, and aligned to Government Functional Standards (GovS006). You will help streamline financial processes, simplify systems, and strengthen controls—laying the foundation for improved financial planning and readiness for Synergy, the future cross-government consolidation of HR, Finance and Procure-to-Pay services.

We’re looking for proactive finance experts with hands-on experience designing, improving and simplifying finance processes within a public-sector environment.

As a Commercial Finance Analyst, your main responsibilities will be:

• Support the design and implementation of a strategic Finance Operating Model, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and GovS006 standards.
• Analyse, map, and improve financial processes, simplifying workflows to boost efficiency, clarity, and compliance across Defra Group.
• Develop and enhance financial tools, guidance, policies, and protocols, ensuring they meet regulatory requirements and reflect good financial practice.
• Identify opportunities for performance improvement, using data and insight to recommend and implement practical, sustainable changes.
• Work closely with FSOC Working Groups, contributing technical finance expertise and ensuring process and system improvements are aligned across functions.
• Support readiness for the Synergy programme, ensuring Defra’s financial systems and processes can interface effectively with future shared services.

Essential:

• Strong finance expertise, with a deep understanding of financial processes, controls, policies, and good practice in a public-sector context.
• Proven experience simplifying and improving financial processes, including mapping, redesign, documentation, and implementation.
• Expert-level understanding of Government Functional Standards (GovS006) and ability to apply them effectively within operational finance.
• Hands-on experience working with financial systems and tools, and the ability to identify requirements for improvements or replacements.
• A practical, delivery-focused mindset with the ability to turn analysis into action and drive progress at pace.
• Experience working within central government or wider public sector, with strong awareness of regulatory requirements, governance, and accountability structures.

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.

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".