Project Officer

The National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) wishes to recruit a project officer (finance) tosupport the planning, management and reporting of its financial affairs. The person will playan important role in ensuring that the NAO delivers on its commitments within budget and inline with relevant public sector procurement and travel and subsistence guidelines. TheProject Officer will support NAO programme managers to ensure that they remain on track inmanaging their budget areas. They will also be responsible for liaising with the SOLASFinance and Procurement Teams in particular to provide regular reports on expenditure, toidentify risks and to troubleshoot issues as they arise. In the NAO has a budget of€10.5m to deliver on a range of activities to promote and grow the Apprenticeship system.The project officer will be a key member of the NAO team.Job DescriptionThe Project Officer will:Prepare estimates, budgets and forecast outturns and report on same in a timelymannerMonitor and report on variances between budget and actual expenditure on amonthly basisProvide insights into the financial journey of the NAO that can help to inform futurefinancial planningTo support the annual budget estimates process for submission to the Department ofFurther and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and ScienceProvide support and guidance to NAO managers to proactively manage their budgetareasRespond to information requests in particular from the NAO team, from SOLASFinance and Procurement colleagues and other stakeholders as requiredLiaise on financial controls in place in the NAO in accordance with SOLASproceduresTo proactively ensure adherence to all relevant SOLAS policies includingprocurement procedures, travel and subsistence guidelines etc.Present financial information in a confident manner to internal and externalstakeholdersEngage effectively with internal and external stakeholdersCarry out any other duties deemed appropriate for the position by the NAO linemanagerRequirementsAt least 3 years’ experience in a finance role, modelling, monitoring and reporting onincome and expenditure in a fast-paced, constantly evolving environment.A financial / accounting qualification is desirableProficient in MS Office software: in particular Exel, Word and Powerpoint andpreferably experience of using SAP or equivalentExcellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to presentinformation clearly, concisely and confidently to individuals in financial and non[1]financial rolesStrong interpersonal skills and experienceStrong team player, who supports and collaborates with colleagues to achieveorganisational goalsAbility to lead, present and facilitate meetingsAbility to work well under pressure on multiple tasks and to achieve deadlinesProven ability to work on own initiative and deliver assigned goals and tasksKey Competencies for the Role Leadership - Inspiring and energising self and others to achieve personal andorganisational success.Creates team spirit and helps direct individuals towards the achievement of the teamand organisational goals• remains visible, available and approachable to others• provides a clear definition of individual and team member roles and responsibilities• explains what needs to be done and why• allows the team to take the glory• regularly finds ways to celebrate and reward successes with the team• takes a stand on issues he/she feels strongly about but supports a decision once it is made.Communication - Exchanging information and ideas with others to promote effectivediscussion and decision making; promoting 2-way communication.Exchanges information in an open, honest and clear manner to enhance teameffectiveness• regularly asks for, and listens to, the views and opinions of others, showing genuine respectfor what they have to say• responds to others in a way that demonstrates he/she has heard and considered theiropinions• adjusts language, style and tone of communication to suit audience• brings forward to Management the ideas and concerns of his/her team to ensure they areheard• openly voices and constructively shares differences of opinions, yet is willing to modifyperspective and demonstrate flexibilityResults-focused and business-aware - Maintaining a focus on the important issuesto achieve and improve results and awareness of and applying sound businessprinciples and effective operational practices to drive successful outcomes.Works with team to ensure that sound business principles and operational practicesare being applied and focuses the team on activities to achieve goals• brings discipline to the team, encouraging them to find easier and more efficient ways ofworking• encourages team to continuously focus their activities to meet the team’s objectives andsets measurable targets• establishes team priorities, and identifies critical tasks and milestones to help keep projectsand individuals on track.Developing self and others - Finding ways to keep skills current and maintain up[1]to-date knowledge of specific and broad-range topics; providing developmentalopportunities to others and taking ownership for own learning and others.Promotes information sharing within the team and encourages learning as integral tothe team’s daily activities• provides time for the team to share information from a variety of sources,• demonstrating that learning is integral to work• surrenders the interesting jobs to others to help broaden and strengthen their capabilities• exchanges information with a wide range of contacts to keep abreast of new ideas,technology etc.Learner and stakeholder focus - Maintaining learner/ stakeholder focus,understanding their needs, providing realistic commitments and taking responsibilityfor delivering on those commitments.Works with team to develop a better understanding of the learner or stakeholders’circumstances to provide the most effective service• engages with stakeholders whenever possible to better understand their business and buildrelationships• works with team to ensure that learner/stakeholders are kept informed as their requests arebeing managed• seeks feedback from learners/stakeholders, listening and responding positively tosuggestions and criticisms..Thinking big- Generating and implementing creative solutions to achieve NAOStrategic goals, conceptualising and articulating future opportunities and trends.Assists the team in the development of new ideas and ways to work.• considers how new ideas/trends may affect the team• shares new ideas/trends with the team, asking how those trends could be turned intoopportunities for the team• engages others in “what if” thinking to encourage them to find new and better ways ofworking• provides time for brainstorming and the sharing of ideas.How to apply for this post An application can be made by submitting the National Apprenticeship Office application form which accompanies the competition booklet: no later than 12 noon on Wednesday 6th March , to . Applications cannot be accepted after the closing date and must be made using the application form provided to the email address above.