Project Support Officer; Finance

Salary - £33,284 - £36,028 Hybrid working (50/50) 8-Month Fixed Term Contract

Location:

Edinburgh, Wallingford, Lancaster or Bangor

UKCEH is a leading independent research institute with over 600 scientists studying how the natural world works. We take a connected approach across land, water and air to understand environmental systems and build resilience for people and the planet.

We’re looking for a Project Support Officer (Finance) to join our collaborative team for an 8-month maternity cover opportunity, helping to support the financial management of environmental research that makes a difference to people and the planet. You’ll join a friendly and collaborative team of around 20 colleagues based across our four UKCEH sites. Working closely with scientists, project managers and finance professionals, the team provides expert project and financial support that enables successful research delivery.

Although geographically dispersed, colleagues work together closely through Microsoft Teams and a culture of openness, inclusion and knowledge sharing. Full training and support will be provided, helping you build confidence and develop your skills within a team that values Excellence, Integrity and Teamwork. This role offers the opportunity to become a trusted partner to project managers and researchers across a wide range of environmental programmes.

You will support project setup, financial reporting, budget monitoring and project administration, helping teams make informed decisions and maintain accurate financial information throughout the life of their projects. Working with colleagues across multiple disciplines and locations, you will also develop expertise in project finance, research administration and stakeholder engagement. Through your attention to detail, strong organisational skills and ability to communicate financial information clearly, you will help ensure UKCEH projects are managed efficiently, compliantly and successfully.

• Providing guidance and training to project managers on systems, reports and budgeting tools
• Supporting project managers with project set-up, review and closure activities in Workday (full training will be given)
• Assisting project accountants with workflow approvals and budget monitoring
• Maintaining accurate project information and financial records within Workday
• Producing expenditure statements to support customer invoicing processes
• Generating and maintaining project invoicing schedules
• Supporting revisions to live projects and associated financial records
• Resolving financial processing and reporting queries from colleagues

• 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grade C/4 or above (including Maths and English)
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications with intermediate to advanced Excel skills
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain financial information clearly
• Great organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands
• Good numeracy skills and an understanding of budget control principles
• High levels of accuracy and attention to detail.
• A proactive and solution-focused approach to problem-solving.

• Previous experience in an academic, scientific or research environment
• Experience using finance systems (ideally Workday)
• Experience managing content on Share Point
• Experience managing/triaging shared email mailbox.

• Generous annual leave - 27 days (rising to 29 days after 5 years) +3 for Christmas closure
• 10% employer pension contribution
• Financial protection through life assurance and income protection
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Flexible and hybrid working options (depending on your role)
• Lifestyle perks including dental, gym, retail and cycling discounts
• A commitment to wellbeing, supported by a range of internal initiatives
• Employee Assistance Programme and health benefits, including 24/7 support with remote GP access, mental health, physiotherapy and lifestyle services
• Peer recognition and rewards that celebrate your contribution
• Salary sacrifice agreement benefits including Electric & Plug-in Hybrid vehicle and Cycle2
  
  Work schemes
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