Finance Executive Officer

Key Purpose of the Post:

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council welcome the investment of €8.4 million towards the RESTART project under Investment Area 4.2 - Rural Regeneration and Social Inclusion - of the PEACEPLUS programme.

The project, aptly named RESTART, an acronym for Rural Economic & Social Transformation And Resilience Transition Together, will see significant strategic investment in the towns of Newtownbutler, Clones and Belturbet.

The project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It has been designed collaboratively to enable these rural communities to thrive and reach their full economic, social and environmental potential.

The Finance Executive Officer will coordinate the financial function to ensure the financial probity and successful delivery of the RESTART project on behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council as Lead Partner.

Main Duties of the Post:

• Prepare the annual accounts for the RESTART Project, engaging as necessary with the Council’s Finance Department and the relevant partners.

• Produce monthly and quarterly financial reports, programme status updates, forecasts and performance targets on financial and non-financial outputs for the Project.

• Prepare and implement financial and procurement policies and procedures via a manual(s) or other appropriate framework document(s) which are specific to the Council and relevant Managing Authority, ensuring consistent application and compliance with same.

• Provide advice and support in relation to the financial systems required to meet programme reporting, procurement, audit and claims requirements, including financial projections/cashflows, contribution in kind, match funding, etc.

• Support day-to-day financial operations, including income, expenditure and reconciliations, and assist in the preparation and monitoring of budgets and financial plans.

• Oversee accounts payable and receivable processes, payments and claims in accordance with relevant procedures.

• Ensure the effective use and management of Council and Managing Authority computerised financial systems and databases.

• Provide appropriate training to all relevant project team members on financial requirements, including procurement, financial claims, operating manuals and operation of all databases, etc.

• Design, implement and maintain a quality control framework that will enable the successful delivery and continuous improvement of the claims submission process and Letter of Offer delivery process to ensure good accounting practice and compliance with the Council and the Managing Authorities.

• Prepare and maintain an implementation plan (or similar) to profile (monthly) expenditure and non-financial targets for funded programmes, as appropriate, and to monitor actual spend against targets and the achievement of non-financial targets, prepare variance reports and identify and report on underspend.

• Co-ordinate and perform internal financial audits of all programme claims for grant aid and process for payment to ensure full compliance with Council and Managing Authority Programme Operating Rules.

• Ensure compliance with public financial procedures, procurement rules and audit standards.

• Liaise with the Managing Authorities in relation to the financial management, coordination and monitoring of grant drawdown and payments.

• Advise and guide the Special European Union Programmes Body (SEUPB), relevant Government Departments and Local Government on all financial matters.

• Liaise with and provide financial reports and analysis, ensuring financial, monitoring and evaluation procedures are carried out efficiently in accordance with stakeholder and Council procedures.

• Compile and maintain a register of assets and all associated documentation, ensuring transparency across the programme, and co-ordinate the physical verification of fixed assets on a quarterly/annual basis.

• Collaborate with the Council’s Finance Department to ensure the effective and timely payment of invoices to allow for the coordination and processing of administration claims.

• Communicate effectively and build relationships with the five partners – Cavan County Council, Monaghan County Council, Clones FRC, The PEACE Link and Clones Erne East Community Partnership.

• Liaise with the stakeholders in relation to all elements of the project that will require the approval of the project partners.

• Fulfil the aims and objectives, milestones, results and outcomes as detailed within the Letter of Offer and ensure compliance with the terms and conditions.

• Contribute to the delivery of the Communication Plan for Fermanagh and Omagh, ensuring compliance with the Council’s Policies and funder guidelines and requirements.

• Represent the Project at meetings as directed.

• Undertake training as necessary and ensure all learning is applied to the work environment.

• Undertake any other duties as directed within the grade.

General:

• Comply with all the Council’s Policies and Procedures, including the Employee Code of Conduct and the Employee and Councillor Working Relationship Protocol.

• Promote the Council’s equal opportunities policies and avoid all forms of discrimination as both an employer and a service provider.

• Implement all Financial and Procurement policies and procedures.

• Comply with employee responsibilities in relation to all records held, created or used as part of the Council’s business. All records, paper or electronic, are public records and accessible by the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004 and the Data Protection Act 1998.

• Undertake the duties of the post at all times in a manner that enhances and promotes the positive image of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

• The postholder will be expected to be flexible and adaptable to meet the changing needs and requirements of the organisation.

The above list should not be seen as an exhaustive list of duties, and the postholder will be expected to undertake other relevant duties as required.

Essential Criteria

Must be a finalist member of a recognised professional accountancy body, i.e.:

• Institute of Chartered Accountants (in Ireland, England, Wales or Scotland)

• The Chartered Association of Certified Accountants

• The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

• The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy

Hold a minimum of two years’ relevant experience.

Relevant experience must be within a Finance or related function to include evidence of:

a) Ability to provide advice and support in the implementation of best practice financial management and reporting.

b) Ability to maintain accurate computerised and manual records and produce reports and/or returns.

c) Ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders.