Senior Funding Assurance Manager

UKRI Salary: £46,743 per annum Band: UKRI Band E Contract Type: 3xFixed Term (23 Months)

Hours:

Full time (Flexible working available)

Location:

Polaris House (Swindon) - Hybrid working available Closing Date:
Sunday 11th January 2026 About the role Funding assurance in UKRI covers both research and innovation funding and spans the lifecycle of the award process from its inception at designing a scheme to post-project reporting. Its purpose is to provide our Accounting Officer with an overview to support the production of our annual reports and accounts, through outlining our control environment and evidencing regularity and propriety in managing public money.

The funding assurance activities undertaken throughout the grant lifecycle are integral to inform decision making and improve the design and effectiveness of the corporate governance, risk management and internal control processes in relation to research and innovation funding. The primary purpose of the Funding Assurance Senior Manager is to provide front line delivery of research related funding assurance work that contributes to the outcomes reported in the UKRI annual report and accounts.

The postholders will undertake reviews of research organisation arrangements for administering research as well as reviews of grant activities and expenditure against terms and conditions of funding. These roles will also contribute to joint working with other teams in UKRI and other research funders in line with the reducing bureaucracy agenda along with other agreed UKRI harmonisation principles. Your Responsibilities To be responsible for undertaking and delivering Funding Assurance work in line with agreed methodologies.

To develop and maintain a detailed understanding of the terms and conditions under which research funding is awarded and contribute to, and advise on, the on-going development of UKRI terms and conditions. To develop and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders, both internal to UKRI and externally with research administrators and managers at Research Organisations and other funding bodies.

To represent the Funding Assurance Team at meetings, conferences, seminars, and workshops as required. To provide monthly status updates on the agreed plan of work to the Funding Assurance Lead. To contribute to team meetings, (and ad hoc meetings, where appropriate). Personal Specification The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I). Essential A degree or equivalent qualification, or a recognised Accountancy or Internal audit qualification, or a Management of Risk or equivalent qualification.

(S) Ability to analyse complex data and summarise in concise and clear reports. (S&I) Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills, and ability to present to diverse audiences at all levels (written and oral). (S&I) Ability to plan and prioritise competing workload demands. (I) Knowledge of the principles of Full Economic Costing / Horizon Europe Guarantee. (S&I) Knowledge of the Research Organisation sector and/or Funding bodies.

(S&I) Benefits We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning! A list of benefits below:
An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme. 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days. (full time equivalent) Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities. Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice. Flexible working options. Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance! For further information on our benefits please see:

Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager.

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