Participate in application information sessions and communicate expectations in terms of financial, grant assurance and counter-fraud to potential applicants
Provide guidance to Regional Hubs on their review of financial information supplied as part of grant applications for new grants and/or extensions
Commission the external grant assurance provider to undertake Grant Assurance (GA) on preferred applicants as part of due diligence
As part of the Leadership Team, review the financial quality and risks of grant recommendations put forward by Regional Hubs for funding approval at recommendation meetings, including a summary of the GA findings and the risk profile presented by applicants
Provide recommendations for any follow-up actions for Regional Huns in relation to applications and downstream grant monitoring during implementation
Input, update and communicate financial policies, processes and templates of the Programme
Ensure verification of grantee bank accounts is undertaken and recorded
Provide advice to Regional Finance Officers on their review of grantee financial reports, including their expenditure reconciliations and spot checking.
Undertake periodic reviews of the Regional Hubs’ implementation of financial procedures
Review quarterly claims from grantees that have been reviewed/approved by Regional Hubs to ensure claims are valid, funding is required and that any queries/concerns have been satisfactorily addressed prior to approving them for payment
Provide cross-programme oversight of routine monitoring, spot checks, GAs and AUPs, feeding back lessons into best practice guidance and recommendations to strengthen procedures
Provide cross-programme oversight of the ‘live’ risk presented by specific grants and/or grantees during implementation, escalating any issues or patterns of concern to the Leadership Team
Oversee reconciliations between the grant management software (MatsSoft), programme records of grant claims/receipts and the client bank account
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Educated to degree level
Qualified Accountant (only candidates with strong essential experience will be considered in lieu of a qualification)
experience of implementing Grant/Fund management programmes in low and middle-income countries
Extensive experience of financial monitoring and reporting of grant expenditure, including sampling, validation, and compliance checking
Experience of working in international development or low and middle-income settings
Experience of due diligence, financial assurance, and/or fiduciary risk assessments
Financial forecasting and reporting of complex programmes to public bodies
Experience in developing and implementing finance processes, policies and templates for internal controls and counter fraud measures
Evidence of advanced Excel skills
Understanding of value for money, ethics, and transparency
Demonstrable ability to work accurately and to deadlines
Excellent written and spoken English A good communicator with strong relationship building skills, reliable and a team player
Pro-active to raise issues with management and resolve identified problems
Able to undertake periodic travel to overseas offices and locations in low and middle-income settings
Experience of major grant/fund management programmes (>£50m)
Experience of designing and updating counter fraud policies