Research Finance Officer

Research Finance Officer - £21 - £23ph Plus Holiday Pay - LondonStart: asap

End: 3 months initially poss 12 month FTCTHE ROLEThe Research Finance Officer is responsible for the financial management of a portfolio of complex research and consultancy projects working closely with academics and project administrators in the faculties. This is a busy and varied role that requires the post holder to: prepare financial reports for funders, monitor income from funders, raise supplier invoices, approve high-value financial transactions, provide guidance on funder terms and conditions, and provide an efficient service to academic and professional services staff in the faculties.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESService Delivery

• Responsibility for the day-to-day financial administration of an allocated project portfolio.

Post-award responsibilities include:

• Day-to-day management and prioritisation of a portfolio of grants,
• Setting up and activating awarded grants,
• Authorising budget expenditure in accordance with funder procedures,
• Review and authorise staff appointments on projects,
• Reconciling timesheets for staff working on projects,
• Producing claims/invoices and financial statements for funders, including submission via funder portal as applicable, reconciliation and closure of completed projects.
• Manage projects proactively, ensuring they are regularly reviewed, that processes are carried out on a timely basis, accurately and in accordance with policy and funder requirements.
• Take responsibility for the accurate and complete entry of project data and documents into the research management systems (e.g. Agresso) and produce accurate reports from the research management systems (e.g. Agresso).
• Identify problems proactively, resolving where possible or escalating to the next level in the team as appropriate.
• Develop specialist expertise and knowledge in research funding administration.
• Keep abreast of developments in the external research environment (policy, funders) that will impact on research administration processes and/or research funding activities.
• Build strong, positive and collaborative working relationships with academic and professional services staff in the faculties and colleagues across other central services.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Have specialist training or relevant experience in research contracts, research management or finance.
• Experience of working in a higher education institution.
• Experience of research administration or financial accounting practice.
• Working in a customer focused environment and meeting customer needs.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret funder terms and conditions.
• Ability to use judgement and initiative to identify and resolve problems.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including communicating complex information to non-specialists.

Gray & Associates is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.