Ministry of Defence VAT Policy Officer (HEO)

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, self-motivated, individual at Higher Executive Officer level to work in our Value Added Tax Policy team. You will work collaboratively, not only within the broad finance team, but across the wider organisation and across government, building strong stakeholder relationships, whilst striving for best in class practices. The role will also involve working with HM Revenue & Customs and HM Treasury.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

As a VAT Policy Officer you will be providing guidance, interpretation and advice on UK VAT legislation across the MOD and will be setting policy to be implemented and followed. As one of the largest and most diverse UK government organisations you will be asked to advise on a wide and varied range of activities carried out by MOD around the world. Your input will be critical in reviewing MOD’s activities to understand and determine the correct VAT treatment of MOD’s statutory functions and business activities across the UK and abroad. As one of the UK’s largest landowners, with a variety of government and non-public tenants and stakeholders, you will be advising on a range of land and buildings VAT issues.

A background in the areas of tax, accountancy, legal, finance or governance is desirable. You will be expected to interpret complex legislation and guidance, and ensure attention to detail to maintain MOD’s compliance with tax legislation.

The MOD is a lead contributor into the cross-government Tax Centre of Excellence which provides a central resource for tax advice and services, and you will have the opportunity to work with Tax COE to build tax capability across government and the public sector.

You will be able to communicate effectively in a range of styles and be able to write, develop and deliver bespoke training both face to face and virtually.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities of the role are:

• Provide high quality, timely advice and active assistance on VAT related matters to ensure tax compliance and assist decision-making and operational effectiveness.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders and improve awareness, knowledge and understanding of VAT matters, through regular communication, identification of training gaps, and delivery of VAT training and guidance.
• Develop and produce internal VAT Policy, interpreting and preparing guidance and providing clear communications on often challenging complex technical issues.
• Proactively undertake internal VAT assurance and compliance activities, seeking continuous improvement, and engaging with key stakeholders to ensure systems and controls are in place which maintain a strong level of taxation compliance and assurance
• Actively contribute to the Tax Centre of Excellence and cross-Government programmes of work to make the best use of tax expertise across Government.
• Be willing to develop understanding and provide appropriate support in respect of other taxes including Customs, Excise, Employment taxes, Corporation Tax, etc.

The successful candidate will have:

• Strong written and oral communication skills including the ability to translate complex rules into guidance that can be understood across the business.
• Ability to assimilate complex information from both internal and external sources and to provide accurate, complete and timely advice and guidance.

• Understanding of business and non-business VAT issues, in a government department, public body, Local Authority, or charity context.
• Understanding of VAT partial exemption, particularly in relation to public sector bodies and land and property..
• Knowledge of financial accounting and budgeting within government departments
• Experience in the use of financial accounting systems (e.g. Oracle E-Business Suite or similar) and reporting applications (e.g. Cognos applications)
• Full or part-qualification in an Accountancy or Tax Qualification (e.g. Association of Taxation Technicians, Association of Accounting Technicians, Chartered Tax Adviser, CCAB or equivalent, or others).

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Leadership

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• 25 days’ paid annual leave rising (one day per year) to 30 days after five years’ service in Civil Service
• An extra day’s holiday for the King’s birthday
• Additional allowances available for personnel with CCAB or equivalent qualification.