Research Financial Administrator

Job Purpose 

To provide high quality post-award research financial administration support to College research support offices and academic research staff, ensuring maximum recovery from funders while adhering to their terms and conditions.

To maintain system data to enable production of information in support of Research Support Office objectives, and University and funder reporting requirements.

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

1. To provide clear advice and guidance on post award financial management of externally funded projects and to ensure the full recovery of all eligible expenditure incurred, based on detailed, up-to-date knowledge of funders' terms and conditions and procedures, and University policy and processes.

2. To administer post award financial management of projects, including project set-up, processing of project changes, financial claims and reporting to funders, and project close down procedures, working closely with the College Research Support teams.

3. To set up, configure and maintain funding scheme templates, under the direction of the Research Support Advisor.

4. To produce timely and accurate periodic and final financial claims, invoices and statements in accordance with funder requirements and contractual agreements to ensure that all eligible expenditure is recovered and work invoiced.

5. To monitor and maintain data and actions on the finance and research IT systems to ensure accurate production of claims and statements to funders, and internal and external reporting.

6. To process financial transactions to ensure correct allocation of costs to projects.

7. To provide an internal control/compliance function by checking project expenditure to ensure compliance with funder and University regulations.

8. To collate documentation and provide information to support audit requirements.

9. To provide standard reports and management information from University systems, as appropriate, to inform management and academic decision-making.

10. To assist with the development, testing and implementation of systems and procedures to ensure the continuous improvement of the Research Management process and service delivery.

11. To maintain up-to-date information on the Research Support Office website to support academic and college research support staff.

12. To work flexibly across the Research Support Office teams to ensure a proactive response to fluctuations in service demands.

13. To administer funder systems on behalf of the University.

14. To support the development of communications and organisation of events to provide information and training for the college research support teams and academic research staff.

15. To undertake other duties as required in support of efficient management of externally funded research and commercial projects.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

Knowledge/Qualifications 

Essential: 

A1 Either: Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role. Or, Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7 (Advanced Higher / Scottish  Vocational Qualification level 3, Higher National Certificate) or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.

A2 Knowledge of funders or customers and their requirements.

A3 Comprehensive knowledge of financial processes and systems.

A4 An awareness of the higher education research environment.

A5 Knowledge of the interdependencies between different business areas, processes and systems.

Desirable: 

B1 Detailed knowledge of higher education research processes and environment.

B2 Detailed knowledge of research funders and their requirements.

Skills 

Essential: 

C1 Proven interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.

C2 Initiative and judgement to resolve problems independently.

C3 Good analytical and problem-solving skills.

C4 Excellent attention to detail and ability to work with high degree of numerical and data accuracy.

C5 Excellent IT skills including Excel, Word, and networked systems.

C6 Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

C7 High degree of numerical and data accuracy.

C8 Effective planning, organising and prioritising skills with ability to adapt to changing priorities or requirements.

C9 Strong customer service skills.

C10 Ability to handle pressure and work to tight deadlines in a calm and efficient manner.

C11 Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing environments.

Desirable: 

D1 Experience of, and ability to interpret funder requirements.

D2 Web page editing skills.

Experience 

Essential: 

E1 Considerable relevant work experience with above qualification, or evidence of progression and development gained through considerable relevant work experience.

E2 Experience of maintaining financial and non-financial data.

E3 Experience of analysing and reconciling complex and large financial data sets.

E4 Experience of using financial and costing systems.

Desirable: 

F1 Experience of Research processes and funders.

F2 Understanding of Full Economic Costing.

Terms and Conditions 

Salary will be Grade 5, £25,138 - £29,605 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and open ended.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.