DESIRABLE SKILLS

• Experience or knowledge of audit and compliance monitoring processes
• Knowledge or understanding of grants and external funding as a mechanism for securing outcome delivery

JOB PURPOSE SUMMARY

This is an exciting time to join the External Funding Team as it makes a key contribution in NatureScot’s response to the dual challenges of biodiversity loss and the climate emergency. Our funding activity has us focus on an increasing number of targeted, time-limited challenge funds that deliver on our corporate priorities. These include Peatland ACTION, the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) and the Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland (FIRNS). As one of three Funding Coordinators, you will work as a core part of the Central Funding Team (CFT) to support delivery of a responsive, customer focussed, service. This post will have a particular focus on Peatland ACTION and the administration of a competitive grant programme of peatland restoration projects.
NatureScot’s Peatland ACTION programme restores damaged peatlands in Scotland. It is integral to the government’s determination for peatland to reduce carbon emissions and contribute wider benefits for biodiversity, water management and green growth.
NatureScot has dual roles in providing leadership on shared services/business solutions across all Peatland ACTION delivery partners and increasing the pace/scale of peatland restoration projects on the ground.
The NatureScot Peatland ACTION Programme is expanding in support of the government’s 10 year, £250m, commitment for restoration. It has an annual budget of ~£15m and comprises over 50 posts employed/supported by NatureScot.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Monitor traffic through the various team mailboxes, providing responses in line with agreed guidance and policies where appropriate or redirecting to others to ensure accurate and timely responses to enquirers.
• Maintain and manage accurate financial and monitoring records for all projects across our various Excel trackers, from application to case closure. This area of work also includes creating project files (in our Electronic Records Document Management System (eRDMS)), setting up finance and other supporting documents, assessment templates, and ongoing liaison with Funding Officers and the Planning & Performance Team to ensure that budgetary updates and other Business Planning-related actions are completed.
• Support decision making processes, including minute-taking for Funding Panel and Funding Board meetings.
• In liaison with the Funding Manager, NatureScot Business Support Accountant and Peatland ACTION Governance and Project Management Officer, assist in monitoring, and analysing project spend and budgets, reporting findings on a monthly basis and, moreover, at year-end to ensure a successful closure ahead of the production of the annual accounts by our Finance Team.
• Working with colleagues in the Peatland ACTION Programme Team, input to the Pipeline Tracker (a record of project delivery and progress).
• Prepare information for regular reporting and in response to information requests for example, from Scottish Government and through the Freedom of Information process.
• Assist with the implementation of a digital Grant Management System (GMS), playing a key role in the input of high-quality data and undertaking regular maintenance to ensure the latest position of our grant-funded projects is always available.
• Manage the Peatland ACTION filing system (in eRDMS) and support the team to ensure all information can be easily located, particularly in relation to individual project documentation.
• Support the Funding Manager / Audit and Compliance Officer in carrying out audit checks to ensure that agreed processes are being complied with.
• Support the Grants Officer by preparing documentation and template emails as part of the annual Peatland ACTION compliance checks.
• Working in an environment of continuous learning and improvement, highlight opportunities for process improvement and change and where appropriate, assist in the review, implementation and development of associated guidance.SKILLS (PLEASE REFER TO THESE IN YOUR SUPPORTING STATEMENT):Essential Skills
• Ability to understand, interpret/challenge and explain financial data and information held in our Business Planning and Oracle Fusion systems
• Knowledge of budget management within large programmes and projects
• Experience of using electronic document management systems and Microsoft Office packages, particularly Excel
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills with a proven ability to work accurately and to deadlines
• Good interpersonal skills that contribute to collaborative team working and customer orientated service provision
• Ability to work flexibly as part of a team and to use own initiative when appropriateExcellent administrative skills, including the ability to produce high quality minutes