DELIVERY / PROGRAMMES / PROJECTS / PROCESS

• Perform a range of reporting and control functions, positioning Finance to work with the business and link budgets to delivery plans and business cases
• Communicate the importance of Finance to partners at all levels, and use strong business awareness to present insightful information and analysis to support effective longer-term decision-making and deliver outcomes in line with Council/UKRI priorities
• Manage annual and multi-year budget setting and forecasting cycles
• Develop the finance case within business cases
• Manage applications for additional budget cover
• Ensure compliance with internal financial, DSIT and HMG controls within assigned business areas
  This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of the main duties and responsibilities only.
  The post holder will need to be flexible in developing the role in conjunction with their line manager.
  The post holder may be asked to carry out any other delegated duty or task that is in line with the post.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

(S) – Assessed at shortlisting
(I) – Assessed at interview
(S&I) – Assessed at both shortlisting and interview

Qualifications:

• Qualified Accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA), actively working towards qualification, or equivalent experience (QBE) (S)

EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE:

Strong understanding of accounting and finance and demonstrable experience of working in delivering effective financial management & reporting (S&I)

• Very good IT skills, including good knowledge of Microsoft Office, in particular Excel (I)
• Experience of financial modelling & controls (S&I)
• Demonstrable experience of month and year-end processes - accruals and prepayment calculations, variance analyses etc. (S&I)
• Demonstrable experience of working as part of a wider-business, consulting with senior stakeholders, utilising an in-depth understanding of business priorities and effectively working with partners to meet organisational and financial objectives (S&I)
• Experience in provision of high quality written and oral advice suitable for senior level decision makers (S&I)
• Proven experience in the preparation of complex budgets, forecasts and financial plans (S&I)
• Understanding of the role of governance, risk management and assurance in project delivery (I)

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Ability to build relationships with senior partners and influence them with impact and professional credibility
• Strong experience of developing effective working partnerships and offering challenges where necessary to senior decision-making groups
• Line management and leadership skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Personal resilience and a confident approach, willing to apply good judgement to solve issues and find solutions independently
• Highly developed team working skills, able to form effective working relationships quickly
• Ability to respond calmly under pressure and to make impartial and well-considered judgments in complex situations
• Good organisational skills, able to manage and prioritise own and others’ workloads and meet deadlines in a very timely manner

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Provide dedicated finance expertise, insight and business partnering to NERC Governance Assurance Management and Non-Core R&D. The role heavily supports NERC’s implementation of measures to support the financial sustainability of NERC research centres and strategic delivery partners, whilst working closely with stakeholders to add financial awareness to decision making and deliver outcomes that are in line with Council and UKRI priorities.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

• Build & maintain good working relationships with colleagues & partners and provide input and advice
• Support Programme Managers and Senior Leadership Teams to effectively manage their programmes through the provision of timely, accurate and complete financial information, advice, and constructive challenge
• Understand the linkages and dependencies between the different Councils within UKRI by actively working with other Finance Business Partners and colleagues across UKRI to seek opportunities for improvement, change and efficiency within Finance, strengthening internal controls, financial analysis, and effective management of programmes and promoting a culture of teamwork
• To deputise for the Senior Finance Business Partner on a range of issues, if and when required