P2P Analyst

Unlike a traditional finance or accounts payable role, this position offers the opportunity to develop knowledge across financial assurance, contract governance, supplier spend management and commercial operations. You'll build highly transferable analytical and problem-solving skills while contributing to the effective stewardship of public funds.

As part of a supportive and evolving team, you'll have opportunities to broaden your experience, develop specialist knowledge and contribute to the continuous improvement of processes and controls that support effective contract and supplier management. You'll work alongside finance, commercial and supplier management professionals, gaining experience that can support future career development across multiple professions.

Whether you're looking to build on existing analytical experience or develop a new specialism, this role provides a strong foundation for a career in financial assurance, governance, commercial operations and supplier management.

Person specification

Responsibilities

• Support the validation and assurance of supplier invoices and billing submissions across a portfolio of digital contracts
• Monitor contract spend, forecasts and available contractual headroom, identifying risks and escalating issues where appropriate
• Analyse financial and operational data to support accurate reporting, assurance and decision-making
• Maintain accurate records, management information and governance documentation
• Investigate and resolve billing discrepancies, data quality issues and supplier queries
• Manage assigned billing and assurance activities across multiple cost models in line with defined processes, controls and monthly delivery timelines
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of processes, controls and reporting that support the effective management of supplier spend

Skills And Experience

• Strong Microsoft Excel capability, including the use of formulas, lookups, data validation and the ability to confidentially handle and interpret datasets accurately
• Good understanding of P2P financial processes, including invoice checking, spend tracking and basic purchase‑to‑pay activities and billing governance (or ability to quickly develop this knowledge)
• Experience working with financial, operational or performance data, including reconciling figures and maintaining accurate records and attention to detail
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify discrepancies, investigate issues and recommend solutions
• Ability to interpret financial and commercial information, such as invoices, rate cards and simple contract and billing terms, and apply it to support assurance, validation and decision-making activities
• Experience maintaining accurate records and producing reliable management information, identifying discrepancies and support issue resolution
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues, customers and suppliers
• Ability to follow established processes and work instructions consistently, managing multiple activities across several cost models while meeting strict monthly deadlines and maintaining high levels of accuracy
• Work collaboratively with stakeholders and suppliers to resolve queries and support smooth delivery of processes and escalate appropriately

Selection process

The Civil Service marks each element of the selection process on a merit basis. You can visit the gov.uk website for further information on the Civil Service rating scale.

Ensure you have tailored your CV and Personal Statement to the 'skills and experience' section of the job advert by providing examples on how you are suitable for the role using the STAR method.

Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your personal statement, how you meet these requirements, as the information you provide will form a key part when the panel is scoring your application.

For further information on STAR, you can check out our Hints and Tips document.

Application process

As Part Of The Application Process, You Will Be Assessed On Your Experience. This Will Be Evaluated By Looking At Your CV And Personal Statement, So Please Provide The Following And Ensure Your Experience Is Clearly Demonstrated

• A CV
• A 500-word Personal Statement: Referring to the 'skills and experience' sections of the job advert, please demonstrate how you are suitable for the role by providing relevant examples.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

Sift will begin shortly after the advert closes.

Should there be a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted using your personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment or interview.

Interview

If successful at sift, you will be invited to an interview where you will be assessed on the Behaviours listed below, as well as Strengths.

Interview dates are to be confirmed. Please note that these may be subject to change.

Interviews will be held virtually on Microsoft Teams.

For further information on Success Profiles, you can visit the links below and watch our videos on DefraJobs.

Behaviours

Experience

Strengths

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Alongside your salary of £29,715, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £8,608 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• 25 days leave (rising to 30 days over 5 years) plus bank holidays.
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%.
• A day off per year for the King's birthday.
• Access to a range of retail discounts (these include supermarket, tech, gym, holiday, phone and more).
• Flexible working options such as condensed hours, part-time and flexi time.
• 3 paid volunteering days per year.
• Funding for professional membership of a recognised professional body.
• Learning and development tailored to your role and budget for training or qualifications.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Health cash plan to help you manage health costs for a reduced monthly fee.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme open 24 hours, 7 days a week, that provides support to you during any times of stress or difficulty.
• Free access to Headspace for wellbeing.
• Season ticket loan for public transport.

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new