This is the Internal Only Recruitment Site for UK Research and Innovation Staff for roles within Innovate UK (UKRI). Please apply for jobs via this site only if you are employed by UK Research and Innovation (employees with access to Innovate UK's Workday system may apply via the "Careers" application within the system). If you are not a current UKRI employee you can view vacancies at the externally advertised stage at the links given in the "About Us information on the right". If you wish to apply for the position below, please ensure that you comply with the requirements of the recruitment process by submitting both a full CV and application letter. Ideally, you should also advise your manager of your application. 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). Please note this advert will close on the 5th January 2024 at 23.59pm. Watch our video “Why Join Innovate UK?” here. 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. We particularly welcome female applicants as women are under-represented within Innovate UK in this type of role. 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: Conduct on site applicant assurance visits, where necessary (including potential overnight stays as required) as requested by The Head of Funding Assurance, Deputy Director – Operations Delivery, Operations Investigation Group (OIG) the Counter Fraud and investigations services team, to investigate unresolved issues identified through Financial or Process and Controls reviews by making pertinent enquiries and obtaining the evidence required to ensure a thorough investigation. This includes all preliminary and introductory contacts and questionnaire. The process culminates with the production of formal report detailing the findings, including weaknesses and suggestions for improvement along with any agreed timelines for next review. Initiate a consistent approach to communicate with Innovate UK customers while compiling and presenting reports, including detailed findings from the questionnaire, together with assessments and recommendations for internal review/escalation to The Head of Funding Assurance and Deputy Director of Operations Delivery. Following up on any non-responsive companies by telephone to ensure visits are scheduled and conducted. Overall accountability for the Assurance Reviews team delivery of service level agreements (time, cost and quality) and build the capacity to flex with changes in volume. At least one visit per month should be undertaken. Maintain the central tracker, ensuring it is updated with completion dates, next reviews, planned visits, applicant questionnaire sent date and introductory emails. Based upon Innovate UK’s Funding Assurance policy write/assess/conduct internal controls reviews on selected companies in accordance with Management of Public Money and adhering to Government Grant Standards. Use the financial data available to create a proactive business process, leveraging technology to improve the speed and reliability of the processes for Assurance Reviews, Assured Accounts and Overhead Agreements. Engage with team members to review more complex overheads included in applications leading to engagement with the applicant to agree a suitable level of overhead for both parties. Establish and review the agreed overhead rate process with the Catapults reviewing on an annual basis reporting the new rate to the Head of Funding Assurance and the Deputy Director of Operations Delivery. Ensure the formal letter is sent to the Catapult Centre stating the new rate to be used for the next 12 months. Working collaboratively with the Project Finance Senior Manager and Managers to create a ‘customer account managed’ approach, encouraging this culture throughout the wider team ensuring high quality internal and external customer service is maintained. Build strong relationships with other teams and domains across Innovate UK and collaborate in cross council working groups. Be a strong advocate of the core values of UKRI and Innovate UK, contribute to UKRI’s overall strategy for monitoring and impact and represent UKRI / Innovate UK externally as a senior leader as required, at conferences, meetings. Responsible for process improvement and implementation of change as required in line with continuous improvement and contribute to and deliver process improvements as part of ensuring an efficient, effective financial review process, whilst working with other teams to ensure optimum end-to-end processes for Innovate UK and our customers. Developing and implementing of new guidance/policies or updating existing documents in line with changes of processes where 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 Operations Investigations Group or Counter Fraud and Investigations Services team and diligent scrutiny of any other escalations using appropriate investigative techniques with attention to identification of fraud Managing/approving any changes to the applicant risk status ensuring adequate audit trail is maintained for future inspection. Liaising with Funding Assurance Officers Post-Award regarding any change in applicant status and following the appropriate escalation route. 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, 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 & AAT/CIMA/IIA would be advantageous - full or part qualified or relevant equivalent experience (S) Line management experience (S & I) Hands on experience of working within a process-driven, service-orientated competitive procurement environment (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) Audit experience (S & I) Fraud awareness and understanding (S & I) Understanding of structure of government and key Innovate UK partner organizations such as the Research Councils and Devolved Administrations (I) Interest/background/experience in innovation or research, business competitiveness and technology policy or delivery (I) 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 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