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 Assurance Reviews Manager
The Assurance Review Manager will act as agent for Innovate UK funding primarily responsible for conducting assurance visits and reviews ensuring appropriate management of public money, in line with the Government Grants Standards 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 working closely with those responsible obtaining a level of assurance, mitigating risks to Innovate UK (UKRI).
Closing Date: 5th January 2024 at 23:59.
Title: Assurance Reviews Manager
Band: UKRI Band E (UKRI Ts & Cs)
Salary: £45,272 gross per annum
Reports to: Head of Funding Assurance
Location: Swindon (office based)
Contract: Permanent
Innovate UK recognises the importance of work-life balance and we will be happy to discuss any requests for flexible working arrangements.
Context:
The Assurance Reviews Team (part of Project Finance & Assurance) are responsible for managing all Assurance Visits, reporting and following reviews, Assured Accounts and Agreed Overhead tasks, successfully and robustly within the specified timeframes. You will work closely with other Pre and Post-Award teams and domains to provide both assurance of applicants, best practice of functions and systems ensuring reviews are completed efficiently and effectively.
Job Purpose:
The Assurance Review Manager will act as agent for Innovate UK funding primarily responsible for conducting assurance visits and reviews ensuring appropriate management of public money, in line with the Government Grants Standards 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 working closely with those responsible obtaining a level of assurance, mitigating risks to Innovate UK (UKRI).
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
1. Conduct on site applicant assurance visits, where necessary, as requested by The Head of Funding Assurance, Deputy Director - Operations Delivery, Operations Investigation Group (OIG) the Counter Fraud and investigations services team.
2. Initiate a consistent approach to communicate with Innovate UK customers while compiling and presenting reports.
3. Overall accountability for the Assurance Reviews team delivery of service level agreements (time, cost and quality).
4. Maintain the central tracker, ensuring it is updated with completion dates, next reviews, planned visits, applicant questionnaire sent date and introductory emails.
5. Based upon Innovate UK's Funding Assurance policy write/assess/conduct internal controls reviews on selected companies.
6. Use the financial data available to create a proactive business process.
7. Engage with team members to review more complex overheads included in applications.
8. Establish and review the agreed overhead rate process with the Catapults.
9. Working collaboratively with the Project Finance Senior Manager.
10. Build strong relationships with other teams and domains across Innovate UK.
11. Be a strong advocate of the core values of UKRI and Innovate UK.
12. Responsible for process improvement and implementation of change.
13. Developing and implementing of new guidance/policies or updating existing documents.
14. Timely engagement with relevant Innovate UK colleagues to review project claims holistically.
15. Managing/approving any changes to the applicant risk status.
16. Support The Head of Funding Assurance in other ad-hoc reviews and business requirements as necessary.
This is not an exhaustive list and you might be encouraged to undertake any other duties across the wider directorate.
Person Specification:
Experience & Qualifications:
Essential:
* Educated to degree-level & AAT/CIMA/IIA would be advantageous.
* Line management experience.
* Hands-on experience of working within a process-driven, service-orientated competitive procurement environment.
* Financial management and analytical review experience.
* Experience articulating complex issues to non-experts.
* Financial acumen and rigour.
* Audit experience.
* Fraud awareness and understanding.
* Understanding of structure of government and key Innovate UK partner organizations.
* Interest/background/experience in innovation or research.
Desirable:
* Knowledge and skills within aspects of Forensic accounting.
* Knowledge/awareness of Subsidy Compliance and State Aid regulations.
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
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.
Equal Opportunities:
We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to employing any person who meets the criteria for our roles.
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, and an exceptional defined benefit pension scheme.
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.
Applications must be submitted by 06-01-2025.
#J-18808-Ljbffr