Innovate UK has the following secondment opportunity available for employees of Innovate UK Business Connect: Applications must be submitted by 06-01-2025 Vacancy for Funding Assurance Officer At Innovate UK, project monitoring has two important purposes: to ensure appropriate management of public money; and to track and hold project partners to account for maximising the successes, outcomes and impacts of projects we support. The focus of this role is on the first objective, working closely with those responsible for the second. Please note this advert will close on the 5th January 2024 at 23.59pm. Watch our video “Why Join Innovate UK?” here. Title: Funding Assurance Officer Band: UKRI Band D (UKRI Ts & Cs) Salary: £36,650 gross per annum 10% Responsibility Allowance Reports to: Funding Assurance Manager Location: Swindon (Hybrid Working) Contract: Permanent Innovate UK recognises the importance of work-life balance and we will be happy to discuss any requests for flexible working arrangements. Job Purpose: At Innovate UK, project monitoring has two important purposes: to ensure appropriate management of public money; and to track and hold project partners to account for maximising the successes, outcomes and impacts of projects we support. The focus of this role is on the first objective, working closely with those responsible for the second. Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities: Manage and deliver the financial review of project claims in a fast-paced dynamic environment including: Detailed scrutiny of project partner financial claims and validation of supporting evidence to ensure compliance with Innovate UK and State Aid requirements Ensuring claims adhere to the approved eligible costs Checking Project Change Requests to ensure project costs and claims remain in line with compliance and eligibility requirements Diligent scrutiny of all supporting information records (e.g. timesheets, invoices, goods-in notes, asset register), using appropriate investigative techniques with particular attention to identification of fraud Conducting analysis of claim trends and behaviours together with reviewing spend profiles/forecasts to identify, understand and manage funding risks Effective liaison with claimants to resolve issues identified through financial review by making pertinent enquiries and obtaining the evidence required Timely engagement with relevant Innovate UK colleagues to review project claims holistically, identify or mitigate more complex issues and respond to information and evidence requests e.g. from the Counter Fraud team Ability to escalate and clearly articulate a key summary of issues and possible mitigations for review/approval where needed Contribute to and deliver process improvements as part of ensuring an efficient, effective financial claim review process, whilst working with other teams to ensure optimum end-to-end processes for Innovate UK and our customers Perform due diligence checks and project set-up requirements as part of Project Finance Team to manage work-flow in busy periods Support other ad-hoc business requirements as necessary This is not an exhaustive list and you might be encouraged to undertake any other duties across the wider directorate, commensurate with the Band and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the key experience and/or training. Shortlisting criteria (S) – Assessed at shortlisting (I) – Assessed at interview (S&I) – Assessed at both shortlisting and interview Person Specification: Experience & Qualifications: Essential – Educated to degree-level or relevant equivalent experience (S) Hands on experience of working within a process-driven, service-orientated competitive procurement environment (S & I) Financial management and analytical review experience with focus on quality and attention to detail balanced with cost-effectiveness (S & I) Experience articulating complex issues to non-experts (I) Financial acumen and rigour with a healthy level of scepticism (I) Demonstrable analytical skills and attention to detail (S & I) Proven team working capabilities (I) Ability to manage workload and priorities in a fast-paced organisation (S & I) Exceptional communication (both written and oral) skills, the ability or produce clear, concise and accurate presentations and written documents (S & I) Desirable – AAT/CIMA/IIA part qualified or willingness to study towards Audit experience Knowledge and skills within aspects of Forensic accounting Fraud awareness and understanding Knowledge/awareness of State Aid regulations Understanding of structure of government and key Innovate UK partner organizations such as the Research Councils and Devolved Administrations Interest/background/experience in innovation or research, business competitiveness and technology policy or delivery Competencies: All team members demonstrate compatibility with and capability against our Core Competencies such as: Thinking and Problem Solving – Stakeholder management – Communication skills – Influencing – Self-awareness/self-management – Strategic awareness – Working with others– Project management Some of the above competencies will be assessed at interview stage, in addition to the criteria’s listed in the person specification. Travel Requirements: Swindon-based: There may be the occasional requirement for national travel. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Innovate UK is a diverse workforce of people. We believe that encouraging these differences and drawing the best from them will build a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, where talents are fully utilised and in which organisational goals are met. Underpinning this is a belief that it is a fundamental right for everyone to be treated equally, with fairness, respect and dignity. We will act directly and use our influence to ensure that this right is promoted and upheld; we encourage applications from all those who meet the criteria set-out in our role profiles. Equal Opportunities: We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to employing any person who meets the criteria for our roles. When undertaking recruitment we may require applicants to undertake certain tests or assessments, some of which will be online and others may be in-person. If you have a disability, heath condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia then you may be entitled to support with undertaking this type of assessment exercise. Where you feel that reasonable adjustments are required to support you, we ask that you advise your recruitment point of contact in a timely fashion, providing further information. In confidence, Innovate UK will then review your application for adjustments and provide support as required. UK Research and Innovation: Innovate UK is partner organisation within UK Research and Innovation. If successful in securing the position, your employer will be UK Research and Innovation. More information can be found online http://www.ukri.org/. Employee Benefits: We offer a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, flexible working hours, an exceptional defined benefit pension scheme, and access to a variety of support networks and discount schemes. Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Flexible Working: We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants. Pre-employment Screening: To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a comprehensive pre-employment check on successful applicants as part of the recruitment process. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment. UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider how this aligns with your personal values or beliefs. To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as a crucial part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. Applications must be submitted by; 06-01-2025