Job Purpose
Oversee the financial management of the JTF grant scheme, ensuring grants are processed in compliance with scheme rules and that information is provided on a timely basis to key stakeholders, both internal and external.
Primary Objectives/Key Responsibilities
General
- Manage a small team that has been set up to ensure JTF grant claims are processed in a timely manner and in accordance with scheme rules.
Grant claim processing
- Oversee the processing of Just Transition Fund grant claims (a separate EU fund secured for development of the Midlands of Ireland which will have multiple grant schemes included), ensuring grant claims are processed in a timely manner and in compliance with best practice, scheme rules and relevant Government and EU guidelines and regulations
- Ensure relevant checklists are maintained, are complete and adequately supported by relevant documentation
- Liaise with internal stakeholders and external grantees on progress of grant-aided projects. Follow up and escalate as required
- Ensure relevant data is entered correctly on to ePPM (the database used by the Managing Authority to record grant information)
- Provide data and reports on the Just Transition Fund for the Just Transition team and for the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly.
Grant reporting
- Providing summary updates to stakeholders, both internal and external on grants paid to date and claims on hand
Grant monitoring and budgeting
- Monitor and update budgets including monthly forecasts, year-end projections and multi-annual projections.
- Generate monthly accruals and reconcile to monthly, quarterly, and annual accounts.
- Generate regular status and KPI reports for the unit’s Finance manager and the Head of Division, including variance analysis and funding availability.
- Prepare cash flow projections for management of drawdowns from parent department.
- Prepare grant claim projections for Managing Authority
Interaction with stakeholders
Proactively engage and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders including:
- Internal - Finance Manager, Head of Finance and Head of Just Transition, Programme Teams
- Managing Authority, EMRA
- Parent Department
- Grantees
Interaction with auditors
- Effectively engage with auditors in ensuring information is provided in a timely manner, including responses to queries.
- Grant claims will be audited at two levels:
- Most claims will be subject to an independent verification check - this check revolves around standard verification checklists and documentation that supports conclusions made
- Spot checks by Managing Authority, EMRA
- Audits carried out or commissioned by at least one of the following: the Managing Authority, the Paying Authority, the Audit Authority and the EU
Carry out all other duties as required and participate as a full member of the Finance team by supporting different work projects, as required, from time to time.