The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) employs approximately 44,000, officers and Staff, plus thousands of volunteers and provides policing to one of the most diverse capital cities in the world.
The service provides policing to the 32 London Boroughs as well as a number of other local, national and international functions such as counter terrorism and organised crime prevention. As the country’s largest police service, the service is recognised internationally as a leader in fighting crime and many other policing organisations look to the MPS for best practice and guidance.
We are looking to recruit students for a 52-week student placement with the Metropolitan Police Service. All roles will give students valuable insight and experience of working for one of the largest public organisations in the UK and the largest single employer in London. The role is a substantive post, and we seek to provide valuable practical experience wherever our students work.
All roles will give students valuable insight and experience of working for one of the largest public organisations in the UK and the largest single employer in London. The role is a substantive post, and we seek to provide valuable practical experience wherever our students work.
Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP)
Counter Terrorism Policing is a collaboration of UK police forces working with the UK intelligence community to help protect the public and our national security by preventing, deterring, and investigating terrorist activity.
As the threat of terrorism continues to change and evolve, we need to be ready which means we need to be constantly adapting. Delivering change is hugely important therefore, and this is your chance to play your part in a challenge that is as important as it gets: protecting the UK and its communities.
Job summary
As our Counter Terrorism (CT) Network strives to protect the UK, it is vital that senior management are armed with the relevant information to support strategic decision making. Your work will make a crucial difference, giving senior management the tools and insight to make informed business decisions. It is an opportunity to enhance your career and play your part in protecting the UK.
Joining the Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters (CTPHQ), you’ll be part of our Strategic Finance function. Here, you’ll provide robust financial analysis to support decision-making and deliver value for money for the Met and CT Policing. Day to day, you’ll assist the Finance Analyst to embed a coordinated business partnering function using your excellent communication skills and ability to present complex financial information. You’ll also support the strategic planning process; help produce a national budget and provide advice to budget holders and service leads.
This is a key role for developing an understanding of financial analysis and being a part of an accounting function within our world class CT Network. You’ll gain knowledge of how to provide financial analytical support including budgeting, forecasting and management reporting. Through strong working relationships, you’ll help CT professionals to achieve the right results.
It’s an opportunity to work with a range of people from policing, the security services, and the Home Office. You’ll also get to shape the direction of the CTPHQ and develop your finance skills.
Key tasks
The Finance Placement Student will support the Assistant Accountant under the Finance Business Partners in CTPHQ to ensure CT Policing achieves value for money and maximises value from the services it delivers whilst meeting the needs of the business. This will include:
- Building relationships with business areas, ensuring the CTPHQ Finance function works effectively and efficiently within CTPHQ, the MPS, the Specialist Operations Business Group and the wider CT network.
- Identifying key risks and opportunities affecting CT and Protective Security (PS) objectives through timely analysis regarding actual results, budgets, and forecasts.
- Supporting producing the national budget and strategic planning process for both the Counter Terrorism (CT) Policing Grant and Protective Security Grants (PSG), reviewing the financial implications of funding bids submitted to the Home Office for new initiatives/unplanned operations that arise in year.
- Monitoring expenditure and income, ensuring the production of quality management accounts and reporting for both internal stakeholders across the network and external third parties.
- Ensure value for money by seeking commercial opportunities including income generation and cost recovery where appropriate.
- Supporting the production of regular financial management information on CT Policing and Protective Security Grant to key stakeholders.
- Attending meetings as appropriate with OCUs, CTPHQ Pillars, MPS Support Services, MPS Corporate Finance, CT Network etc.
- Working alongside our outsourced provider to ensure all transactions are posted in a timely manner to ensure internal deadlines are met.
- Providing support for ad hoc projects including support for business planning, assessing investment business cases, and reviewing contract bids.
Key skills
Analytical and Judgment Skills
- To analyse diverse sets of data from multiple systems to generate solutions to operational and strategic problems.
- To operate at a detailed level to help solve strategic problems.
- To support and / or carry out options appraisal.
Communication and Relationship Skills
- Effective communication skills. Ability to explain things clearly either verbally or in writing in the most appropriate style, tone, and format.
- Good interpersonal skills and team working skills with the willingness to support others and share ideas.
- Business focused and flexible when meeting operational needs and expectations.
- Takes responsibility to meet business requirements and ownership of work and maintains a strong work ethic.
Planning and Organisational Skills
- Highly motivated, taking a proactive approach to work including a strong desire to meet deadlines and deliver quality products.
- Highly organised and forward thinking.
- Ability to work autonomously.
Experience
- Competent Excel user: Knowledge of pivot tables, macros and advanced use of formulae preferred.
About you
Candidates must be undergraduate students in a sandwich year course returning to study in Autumn 2026 and be currently studying a degree with a financial/accounting component: accounting, finance, business studies, economics with accounting/finance.
You must be able to commute in to the West Brompton office at least twice a week, possibly more often on an ad hoc basis.
Vetting
This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Security Check (enhanced) (SC(e)) level before taking up the post; with a willingness to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) once in post, if required.
Additionally, this material is of particular sensitivity to the UK and its distribution must be restricted to UK nationals. In approved circumstances dual nationals (of which one element is British) may also be granted access. However, in the event that potential conflicts of interest cannot be managed the post holder will not be able to see the intelligence material and will not be able to perform their duties.
For the purpose of safeguarding national security and in line with Cabinet Office Policy, supported by Section 82(2) to (4) of the Police Reform Act (2002), applicants who do not hold or acquire Security Check (enhanced) (SC(e)) OR Developed Vetting (DV) clearance and meet the nationality requirements cannot be offered the post.
Applicants should also be aware of the need to sign a confidentiality agreement on taking up the post.
Our employee commitments
Counter Terrorism Policing aims to create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere and culture and an environment where all our people feel a strong sense of belonging and are able to reach their full potential. Where any group or individual can be and feel respected, supported and valued to fully participate and contribute to our mission of “Working to keep people safe from Terrorism”.
Inclusion, diversity and equality is at the front and centre of our approach to make the composition of Counter Terrorism Policing more representative of the communities we serve. As Counter Terrorism is rooted in Local Policing, to tackle today’s complex policing challenges, applications from across all communities are therefore essential and encouraged. Counter Terrorism Policing as a network is committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations’.
Counter Terrorism Policing is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working arrangements, including part time working or job share. In addition, this role has been reviewed following learning from work during the Covid pandemic and may be done in an agile manner. In the first instance, please contact the vacancy holder to discuss how such arrangements could be accommodated (where applicable).
How to apply
Click the apply now button below and start your career at the Met. Applications will be via a detailed CV, Personal Statement, and online application form. Your personal statement should outline why you are interested in the role and how your skills and experience demonstrate your suitability for the role. (NB. Please do not attach 2 copies of your CV).
Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on the 28th of November 2024.
