Finance Administrator

Role Description

Applications are invited for the post of Finance Administrator, Office of Research Grants & Contracts, Finance Office. Research is a core activity of the University; it is fueled by external research income. The continuation of this expenditure stream (circa €120m p.a.) is dependent on accurate and timely reporting. This reporting function is facilitated by the above post.

The main duties will be:

The post-holder is a key member of the research team in the Finance Office and will principally be responsible for:

• The preparation of financial reports submitted to external funding bodies.

• The production and delivery of timely and accurate information to management and researchers.

• The development and maintenance of good relationships with researchers and external funding bodies.

• Ensuring that all claims for funds are submitted to funding agencies on time for all expenditure incurred. Ensure that all income due is received on time.

• Working with and advising the Office of Vice President for Research & Innovation on the financial elements of grant applications and awards.

• The completion of any other duties assigned by the Deputy Research Accountant.

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate will be expected to have:

Essential Criteria

Have financial accounting and reporting experience in a large organisation, be self-motivated and exercise own initiative on a wide variety of issues.

Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, particularly the ability to explain complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders.

Demonstrate excellent IT skills.

Demonstrate strong attention to detail.

Demonstrate ability to work under pressure and with multiple deadlines.

Desirable Criteria

6. Experience of working in a Higher Education organisation.

7. Expertise and experience in Lean methodologies and continuous improvement initiatives.

8. Enterprise systems knowledge and implementation experience, preferably Agresso.

Candidates are requested to make a personal assessment of these criteria against their own qualifications, skills and abilities to assess whether they should apply for the post.

Please note: Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the criteria set above will not be shortlisted.

The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.

Competencies relating to administrative grades in the University are available on the website.

Conditions of Employment

Salary:

Appointment may be made on the Admin V Salary Scale: €51,820 - €63,555 (Scale B) / €49,570 - €60,492 (Scale A).

Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.

As required by public pay policy for the higher education sector, new appointments to a direct entry recruitment grade will generally be at the minimum (1st point) of the relevant scale.

For existing public servants, the restriction to the first point on scale may be varied where a person is appointed to the same or an analogous grade, role or position as their previous public service employment.

The rate of remuneration for all appointments may be adjusted from time to time in line with government policy.

The working hours for administrative staff are 35 hours per week with normal hours of duty from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday, with 1 hour for lunch break.

Due to the nature and seniority of the post, however, it may be necessary to extend and vary these hours from time to time in order to meet the exigencies of the post.

Annual Leave will be 27 days per annum (pro-rata). This leave is exclusive of public holidays and Good Friday. The leave year commences on 1 July annually and four days annual leave must be held for the Christmas closure period.

Sick Leave:

Sick leave will be granted in line with University policy in this regard which may change from time to time. You should familiarise yourself with the University Sick Leave Policy and University Sick Leave Management Policy.

Tenure of the Post

The tenure of the post is specific purpose whole time, based on the following provisions:

a) A probationary period of twelve months shall apply from commencement of employment in the post during which the contract of employment may be terminated by either party in accordance with the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts, 1973 to 2005.

b) Except in circumstances of gross misconduct justifying immediate dismissal, the appointee will receive one month's notice of termination of employment, or, if greater, such notice as is provided for in a minimum notice in terms of Employment Act, 1973.

c) The appointee is required to give one month's notice of termination of employment.

Pension

The Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 established the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. In general, anyone taking up pensionable public service employment on or after 1 January 2013 is a member of the Single Scheme. The Act provides that most members of the Single Scheme have a minimum pension age consistent with the age of eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) and a compulsory retirement age of 70. A member of this group is generally referred to as a “Single Scheme member”.

However, applicants who have previously worked in a pensionable post (non-Single Scheme terms) in the Irish Civil/Public service may be offered membership of the UCC Pension scheme. The normal retirement date in this scheme is age 65. A compulsory retirement date of 70 may apply depending on date of first employment in the Irish Civil/Public service. The relevant pension scheme will be confirmed to the successful applicant on completion of the Pensions Declaration form prior to taking up employment.

Applicants that have previously availed of an Irish Public Service Scheme of incentivised early retirement or enhanced redundancy payment should ensure that they are not precluded from re-engagement in the Irish Public Service under the terms of such schemes. Queries should be directed to an applicant’s former Civil/Public Service Employer in the first instance. Applicants who are in receipt of an ill-health pension from an Irish Civil/Public Service body are required to declare that they are in receipt of such a pension.

Pension Abatement:

If an appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and that appointee is entitled to or in receipt of a pension from the Civil or Public Service, or where a Civil/Public Service pension comes into payment during the appointee’s re-employment, that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.

Please note: In applying for this position, you are acknowledging that you understand that the abatement provisions, where relevant, will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/Office/Body will support an application or an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position.

Additional dependants’ benefits can be provided by membership of the Supplementary Life Assurance Scheme. You will be automatically included as a member of the scheme on commencement of your employment, but you may elect to opt out of the scheme at any stage. The current membership rate is 0.26% of your salary.

Membership of the Group Personal Accident Scheme shall apply to all employees, subject to individual acceptance by the Insurance Company. The salary quoted is subject to a deduction from salary at the rate of 0.06%.

The UCC Income Continuance Plan (ICP) provides a source of income in the event of long or short-term temporary disability. As part of your contract of employment, you will be automatically included in the ICP with effect from the same date, provided you have not previously opted out of the plan or you have been declined for cover under previous contracts of employment with UCC.

An additional benefit is membership to Specified Illness Cover (SIC), which pays a once-off lump sum benefit in the event of a member being diagnosed with a specified illness. The cost of membership of both plans will be deducted from your salary. The current combined membership rate is 1.05% of your salary.

The Pay Related Social Insurance Class A1 rate of Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) applies to the post.

Voluntary Health Insurance:

VHI / Laya Healthcare & Irish Life Healthcare offer group schemes. Premiums must be paid via the UCC payroll. The Laya Group No is 32805 and VHI Group No is 137.

Additional benefits:

We offer progressive employment and training policies including opportunities for further studies. Staff can avail of membership of a variety of clubs and societies and a wide range of facilities on campus, including a leisure centre.

As an equal opportunities employer, we offer a comprehensive suite of Work Life Balance Policies. A list of such initiatives is available on our webpage.

UCC welcomes applications from non-EEA citizens. However, regulations regarding employment permits are set by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and must be strictly adhered to. An offer of appointment to non-EEA candidates is subject to the granting of a work permit by the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment.

Candidates are requested to make a personal assessment against their own eligibility as to whether they should apply for this post.

Certificates and Testimonials:

These documents should not be sent with the application. Candidates who are selected for interview will be requested to submit the necessary documentation.

References:

Following completion of the interview process and the identification of the preferred candidate, any offer of appointment will be subject to receipt of satisfactory references. For internal candidates, the People & Culture Department will seek a reference from a candidate’s line manager once the preferred candidate has accepted a conditional offer of employment. Additional references may be sought on the request of the hiring manager.

Shortlisted candidates for posts shall be required to appear before a Board of Assessors. Interviews will be conducted either online via Microsoft Teams or in person in the first instance. Candidates may also be required to attend an interview in person if the interview takes place online. Candidates will be notified as appropriate.

A successful candidate will be required to submit a birth certificate, documentary evidence confirming academic qualifications, and to undergo a medical examination. Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance may also be required.

Candidates may be required to produce documentary evidence to support any statements made by them on their application form or any supporting documentation.