View Vacancy – Deputy Head of Finance, Grade – HEO, New Delhi

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

Job Category

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)

Job Subcategory

Finance

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment, educational details, behavioural and technical/ professional skills questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only with all the required details and the shortlisting is not basis CV/ cover letter. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

Main purpose of job:

This is an exciting and challenging opportunity for a highly motivated finance specialist to work in the FCDO’s finance team based at New Delhi. This person reports to the Head of Finance and would be required to work collaboratively with the Head of Finance to ensure FCDO India’s overall finances are managed well. This person would also be expected to manage finance staff reporting directly and indirectly to this position. FCDO’s finance team caters to the finance requirements across the FCDO network and to the other UK Government Departments in the India Network on need basis. This position is expected to work collaboratively with the Budget holders across the network and manage finances proactively. You will also manage reportees within the Finance team. We are seeking a person who has extensive financial planning and analysis expertise with an ability to explain technical finance details to non-technical stake holders and has demonstrable team management experience. Applicants should expect to be flexible and adaptable in filling and taking forward the role.

The FCDO is a UK government department leading the UK’s diplomatic, development and consular work around the world. This includes pursuing UK’s national interests and projecting the UK as a force for good in the world. We work in the UK and in 178 countries and territories.

How we approach our work is important. The How We Work Statement (below) sets out the ambition we share across the FCDO for how we lead and behave towards each other, how we make decisions, and how we get the job done. Some aspects may be particularly relevant to this role.

• We put respect and kindness first. We are inclusive, we get to know each other, and value our diversity and the contribution we each bring. We are fair, act with integrity, and tackle inequality and unacceptable behaviour. We work together and take responsibility to solve problems.
• We draw on the expertise, insight and diverse perspectives of people across the FCDO, HMG, and beyond. We use the best available data and evidence. We are open to challenge and take a sustainable, long-term approach. We are transparent about the rationale for decisions and smart about taking and managing risks.
• We are agile and alert to emerging opportunities. We encourage learning, innovation and use of data and digital. We are all clear on what we are expected to deliver and support each other in doing so. We look to reduce duplication and unnecessary process. We are committed to transforming both the FCDO and the way HMG delivers international policy.

The Deputy Head of Finance position is a key role in the FCDO’s finance team and will have the responsibility for managing the British High Commission’s (BHC) Operating Finances and line management and development of the finance staff. You will need to be a proactive leader with sound financial knowledge and experience. This role is fundamental to the delivery of an effective financial management framework for India Network posts and departments, with particular focus on precise and timely budgetary management. The role also entails in-depth financial analysis and communicating the results of analysis to stakeholders. Expected analysis will include forecast accuracy, trend analysis and run rates, as well as horizon scanning for any known risks.

About the team and FCDO’s finance portfolio

FCDO’s finance team sits within the FCDO’s Corporate Services team and includes the following two sub-teams for managing operating cost finances (1) Accounts Payable team (2) Financial Planning & Analysis team. Alongside the Head of Finance, this position would manage these two functions.

The existing FCDO’s finance portfolio includes operating cost budget (Pay & Non Pay and Capital) of £11.5m and programme budget of £25m.

There are a total of 15 Other UK Government departments on BHC’s India network who manage their own finances, but FCDO finance team provides support and works collaboratively with these departments, as needed.

The post will be based at the British High Commission in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.

We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:

Main Job responsibilities include:

Strategic Financial Planning and Management (50%)

• Manage financial planning, and budget management for pay and non-pay operating cost allocations, ensuring timely and accurate allocations are communicated to the budget holders at start of the year.
• Manage and oversee monthly financial planning and analysis function for operating costs, ensuring accurate and timely forecasting and variance reports are produced.
• Provide technical financial inputs on pay during the pay review process along with strategic inputs on pay uplifts .
• Manage and oversee 100% spend analysis of the Pay & Non-Pay operating costs spend ensuring spend is correctly incurred and charged as per FCDO guidance, including ensuring other department related spend is correctly charged to them.
• Lead and Manage FCDO’s oversees annual cost card information for charging costs to other departments on India network, the associated change requests, ensuring costs are correctly recovered from these departments and all other compliances with the UK Government’s oversees guidance and forecasting processes are followed.
• Reviewing and improving current financial processes taking into account changes in financial policies, systems, regulations, etc.
• Ensuring data and knowledge management for finance team in up-to-date.
• Ensure financial policies and guidance are properly escalated to the India network. Act as the point of contact for complicated, technical finance-related queries from internal stakeholders and partners.
• Support the Head of Finance in conducting an analysis of the finance development requirements in the India network and develop a finance development plan accordingly, including in conducting finance learning sessions where required
• Support the Head of Finance in delivery of monthly financial reporting to Senior Budget Holders, delivery of the financial aspects of the Corporate Services Counter Fraud Action Plan, representing the finance team at various committees, induction programmes, calendar year and financial Year end OAR processes, Internal Audits, etc.

Management of Banking, Accounts Payable and Receivables Function (30%)

• Lead and Oversee the banking function of British High Commission, ensuring there is adequate balance available in the bank for BHC’s financial payments at all times and ensuring credits in the bank are for genuine business reasons and any payments through Miscellaneous expenses claim forms/NDPRs are accurate.
• Lead and Oversee the accounts payable function, ensuring Purchase Orders are created well in time, as per available budgets and value for money.
• Lead on monthly review of the Network Post Account (NPA) cash transactions.
• Oversee invoice payments, GST and VAT reconciliations & recoveries ensuring they comply with internal guidelines and regulations.
• Ensure all recoveries (e.g. debtors, BHC GST & VAT refunds) are timely and well managed, with regular monitoring and follow-up.

Line management & development: 10%

• Line manage 2 Executive Officers (Accounts Payable Manager and Finance Manager), support the Head of Finance in management of Finance Team. Act as Quality Assurer of 2 Administrative Officers (one each in the Accounts Payable team and Financial Planning & Analysis team)
• Develop a Finance team development plan. Ensure each team member has a personal development plan. Support the team in identifying learning opportunities.

Other 10%

• Act as a back up for the Head of Finance, providing support on overall India network financial management.
• On Need Basis, travel to the network posts to ensure business managers are effectively using the available Finance tools and guidance.
• Ensure you are knowledgeable about FCDO financial policy and processes. Keep up to date with any changes and developments, communicating any key issues across the India Network.
• Ensure effective and professional liaison and co-ordination with Directorate, IIOD Finance Hub, GTPC Manila and India Network budget holders and Corporate Service Managers on any financial issues, including changes and process/policy compliance.
• Lead on developing appropriate external relationships with contacts (e.g. GST/ VAT officials, bankers, statutory organisations, colleagues in diplomatic missions).

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

2 X Executive Officers & countersigning 2 Administrative Officers

Language requirements:

Language: English
Level of language required: Expert

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Essential on arrival:

• Post Graduate in Finance from a reputed university with at least 6-8 years of relevant experience that includes independently managing core financial planning and analysis functions of a reputed organisation.
• Strong background in finance, data analysis and financial reporting with a working knowledge of accounting function.
• Demonstrable experience of explaining technical details to technical & non-technical stakeholders for example – through effective communication in finance meetings, through finance sessions for staff with non-finance background.
• Demonstrable experience of at least 4-5 years of holding managerial responsibilities of finance staff.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Desirable:

• Experience of working in Embassies is a plus.
• Finance qualification such as CA/CA(Inter), CMA, ACCA, MBA would be a plus

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Developing Self and Others, Working Together

Application deadline

16 December 2025

Grade

Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Type of Position

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week

40

Region

South Asia & Afghanistan

Country/Territory

India

Location (City)

New Delhi

Type of Post

British High Commission

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

INR

Salary

INR 125,179 – 161,526 per month plus 12% Provident Fund and 6% Superannuation

Type of Salary

monthly

Start Date

2 February 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment

For British High Commission candidates, the Country Based Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.

For other than BHC Candidates, the salary will be all-inclusive of INR 125,179 per month plus 12% Provident Fund and 6% Superannuation Fund. The salary range for the advertised role is INR 125,179 – 161,526 per month. Please note that the BHC does not negotiate salaries and the successful candidate will be offered a starting salary within the listed range on merit, that commensurate with their qualifications, skills and experience.

Additionally, the BHC offers a great benefits package that includes annual domiciliary medical cover, plus a Group Hospitalisation Scheme with INR 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family which includes self, spouse/partner and children up to an age of 23 years and irrespective of age, only if with, physical or mental disability.

No relocation or any other related costs or assistance will be provided. FCDO does not pay for any travelling, accommodation & relocation expenses incurred and/or accept any financial risk, including cancellation or reschedule costs

Please note – BHC does not deduct tax at source and employees are required to ensure that any requirements of local income-tax law are complied with in full. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, e.g., some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.

FCDO operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require. The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance.

Around half of our work forces are women. We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.

This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCDO has anywhere across the globe. We are aiming to make it the best.

Additional information

Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment, educational details, behavioural and technical/ professional skills questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only with all the required details and the shortlisting is not basis CV/ cover letter. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage

Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders will need have, or be able to obtain, a valid special work permit issued from Government of India (GOI) to work in the British High Commission (BHC). BHC will not be able to sponsor work visas or obtain/ assist with the special work permit from GOI. Offers of employment made to OCI card holders will be conditional upon candidates obtaining a special work permit.

Note: For requisite special permission to take up employment in any foreign Diplomatic Missions in India, OCI Cardholder must visit https://ociservices.gov.in

Please note – successful applicants will be offered employment on Country Based Staff (CBS) terms and conditions. This is not a permanent UK Civil Service position and does not attract diplomatic immunities and privileges (other than what an individual may already hold if they are a recognised partner/family member of a serving diplomat).

To Apply:
Please note applications without (a) and (b) will not be considered.

a) Complete the Online Application Form
b) Complete the Experience, Professional Skills and Behaviour based Segments in the Online Application Form

Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.

To ensure a successful application it is important that you explain how you demonstrate behaviours and technical / professional skills, basis your experience. You are strongly advised to read the Success Profiles Civil Service Behaviours Framework, which provides a detailed guidance on how these behaviours are defined for each position.

Applicants are encouraged to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to prepare specific examples of when and how you have demonstrated these behaviours in your application, by evidencing a structured response, including your skills and experiences. You briefly describe the situation in which you demonstrated the behaviour, and then explain your task in addressing the situation, what action you took and the result of this.

Internal staff applying for this position must have prior approval from their current line manager and should not be on an active formal written warning, else the application will not be considered.

We will accept only online applications by 16 December 2025 (latest by 23:55 hours IST).

Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines for British High Commission.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.

Please note – “Provident Fund Transfer in and out from EPFO is not possible as BHC PF is managed by a private PF trust governed by Indian Income Tax Act, 1961. The staff still has the option to transfer out and in from a privately held PF trust which are not governed by EPFO. Any tax deduction on EPF will be in compliance with local income-tax law and must be complied with in full.”

Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and no telephone enquires will be dealt with. Basis the scores, the candidate/s who did not score as highly as the successful candidate, might be placed on the reserve list. If during the reserve period of 12 months, the same or largely similar role becomes available, the role may be offered to the second or subsequent appointable candidates.

” The start date mentioned in the job advert is tentative and the appointment will be subject to successful clearances including police verification, references, medical, educational, and professional checks. “

We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, caste, or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.