Grant Governance - Programme Executive

Work Location: Dublin, Dundalk, Cork or Sligo office.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the role outlined in this job description are indicative of the currently envisaged scope and may be added to or altered as required, in line with the requirements of SEAI across Business Units/Department.

They will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manage the Grant Governance Administration process for assigned schemes over the life cycle of the projects.
• Process applications for funding to point of decision in a timely and efficient manner, ensuring compliance with scheme guidelines.
• Draft and issue Grant Contracts and Amendments to successful applicants on a timely basis.
• Advise applicants on SEAI grant claim procedures and assist them in meeting requirements.
• Review and administer individual project milestones and ensure that all grant payment claims received are processed, financial documentation supporting grant claims (invoices and bank statements) are reviewed, and all grant conditions are complied with prior to payment.
• Take ownership for the production of financial and administrative reports/statistics on all programme information, including grant commitments.
• Present at workshops for grant applicants on the financial requirements and documentation required to ensure successful drawdown of funds.
• Ensure grant management systems are kept up to date in relation to assigned Grant Schemes.
• Assist in maintaining and updating the grants procedure manuals.
• Prepare and present key financial reports on programme spend and variances to internal management.
• Liaise with Outsourced Business Process Provider to ensure that outsourced tasks are performed on a timely basis.
• Respond appropriately to a variety of external queries, including parliamentary questions, representations, Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment queries, and general queries.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with the Grant Scheme Programme teams across SEAI and attend weekly cross-organisational review meetings, ensuring that the budget is spent appropriately and maximised to the best extent possible.
• Support the Grant Governance Manager and the Coordinator Grant Governance in their functions.
• Carry out any other duties as assigned in the Governance and Procurement Department and wider Corporate Services Directorate.

To ensure that activity peaks within the Department are addressed in a proactive manner, it is expected that the candidate appointed to this role will need to be flexible in terms of working hours during these periods.

Knowledge & Skills

The knowledge and skills required include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The role is team-based, and teamwork and cooperation with others are crucial, along with strong communication skills.
• A capacity to foster positive working relationships with colleagues at all levels and external stakeholders, to work in multidisciplinary teams, and to network effectively.
• Vigilant tracking of a high volume of funding programme-related correspondence and dealing promptly and efficiently with issues raised.
• Excellent communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills.
• Strong proactive approach to achieving results, including managing scope, time, cost and quality.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills together with the ability to prioritise work and manage a wide variety of tasks, with a proven track record in meeting deadlines.
• Flexible approach to problem solving and decision making to ensure the best solution is achieved, focusing on the need for greater efficiency and effective delivery.
• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to be orderly, methodical and accurate in administering large numbers of funding claims and maintaining systems to support them.
• Well-developed IT skills.
• A clear understanding of and commitment to confidentiality.
• The ability to work on own initiative and display sound judgement.

Essential Requirements

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• A degree (Level 8 on NFQ or greater) in Business, Finance or a relevant discipline.
• A minimum of three years' directly relevant experience working in grant programme governance and finance or grant administration with a strong focus on governance and finance.
• Experience of ensuring compliance with financial controls and procedures.
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary team and managing projects involving a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience working with grant management IT systems (e.g. Smart Simple).
• Strong communication (written and verbal) skills, including report writing, presenting and public speaking.

Desirable Requirements

• Knowledge/experience of working in the Public Sector.
• Previous experience of full life cycle grant funding schemes.
• Understanding of the research funding environment at national and international scale.
• Proficiency in the Irish language.
• Experience or knowledge of delivering positive customer experiences.

Salary Payment Arrangements

The Level D salary scale for this position, effective from 1st June 2026, is as follows:

€53,071 to €78,058 (inclusive of one Long Service Increment (LSI1), which applies after three years' additional service at the maximum of the grade).

Incremental progression will be subject to satisfactory performance.

Important Note

Candidates should note that entry will be at the first point of the scale and the rate of remuneration, including incremental progression, will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

Different terms and conditions may apply if you are currently a serving civil or public servant.