5766 - R4Ever Kent LIFE Finance Officer (LIFE20 NAT/UK/001013)

About the job

This role is an exciting opportunity to manage the EU LIFE funded R4Ever Kent project led by Natural England in Cumbria. The R4Ever Kent project is a partnership project to deliver catchment restoration actions in the River Kent Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in the Lake District National Park and South Cumbria.  The River Kent, which partly flows through the Lake District’s World Heritage Site landscape has some of the UK’s rarest and at-risk species. It is the only major English river system where native crayfish populations are still abundant throughout and the only UK river where native crayfish and freshwater mussels are found together.  Freshwater mussels formerly occurred more widely in the Kent, but the population is now near to extinct with less than fifty individuals found across two locations.

This project will move the 88.9ha SAC towards Favourable Recovering/Favourable secure condition by using a range of river/riparian restoration and invasive control best practice methods. The projects key objectives will improve the resilience of the river's habitats and species to future pressures and threat:

1. Restore the SAC: a range of river/riparian restoration and invasive control best practice methods will improve the resilience of the river's habitats and species to future pressures and threats.
2. Increase critically endangered species’ populations. The project will reinforce the site’s population with donor stock from other suitable sites and improve the breeding facilities to secure England’s long-term freshwater mussel population (FPM). It will also protect the endangered White-clawed crayfish from crayfish plague, provide optimum conditions for FPM's salmonid hosts and maintain bullhead populations.
3. Trial new techniques: By using biocontrol methods and eDNA surveying techniques to detect key species movement/distribution and provide an early warning system for crayfish plague, the project will research the effectiveness/sustainability of these methods.
4. Secure the long-term sustainable management of the River Kent’s catchment: Targeted advice and training for landowners and to the agricultural/forestry sector will improve practices and reduce nutrient/sediment inputs entering the SAC.
5. Transfer knowledge/skills: a programme of communications and outreach, together with networking with other UK and European projects will inspire conservation action and raise awareness of the value and function of more natural riverine systems

The Finance officer works under the direction and line management of the Project Manager. The post holder is required to comply with all financial regulations required by the LIFE monitor; to track spend; process spend and provide financial reports as requested by the project manager. This is a partnership project and as such regular liaison with our partners is an integral part of the role.

Key tasks/ accountabilities

To ensure the successful delivery of the project the following key tasks will need to be undertaken by the Finance Officer under the direction and line management of the Project Manager:

• Preparation of Project budget monitoring tools, in liaison with the Project Manager and Defra Finance leads.
• Responsibility for all day-to-day budgetary management - overall budget allocation, forecasting and profiling in liaison with the Project Manager.
• Maintaining, collating, and monitoring records of Project delivery and budget expenditure, in compliance with LIFE guidance: organising invoices and claims, producing financial information and staff time recording for the Project Manager to complete any reporting requirements.
• Maintenance of the EU Financial Statement of Expenditure sourcing all relevant financial data and evidence of expenditure for NE’s claim: pay, travel, contracts, equipment, etc. Ensuring that time recording for staff is likewise obtained and recorded within the Financial Statement.
• Obtaining completed EU Financial Statements of Expenditure and supporting evidence from all Partners to an agreed timetable.
• Maintenance of a Consolidated Financial Statement incorporating all budget, expenditure, and income financial data for the project as a whole.
• Working with the Project Manager, preparing and submitting financial statements, claims and progress reports in a timely manner to the funders.
• Organising the collation and maintenance of expenditure evidence including time recording, required for the project’s audit trail.
• Supporting the Project Manager in preparation and execution of the project’s external audit and other audits as necessary.
• Contributing to NE’s Month End Financial Reporting, liaising with NE Finance colleagues to ensure the project’s financial position is accurately recorded in NE’s monthly and annual accounts.
• Providing expenditure and income forecasts for the project to Finance colleagues to support NE’s annual business planning and budgeting exercise.
• Keeping the Project Change Log up to date.
• Issuing financial guidance to the Project Team and partners to ensure compliance with financial procedures.
• Supporting the Project Manager in procurement related activities.
• Coordinate and let contracts for various professional items of work with the assistance of the Project Manager and/or Assistant Project Manager (Communications) Officer.

Technical/specialist knowledge

• The person appointed will have previous experience of working as part of a successful partnership project.
• Proven track record of finance support on project work and delivering financial reports accurately and to deadlines.
• Excellent organisational skills and good attention to detail.
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal) and be able to successfully engage with colleagues and project partners.
• Excellent IT skills (Excel, Word) with the ability to develop the systems required for monitoring budgets and spend.
• Experience of budget management, procurement and maintaining finance records for audit purposes.
• Confidence in the use of a range of financial reporting systems and adherence to the guidance appropriate to  each
• Knowledge of LIFE funding is desirable but not essential.

Additional information

• A driving licence is desirable for the role but not essential. Occasional travel will be required for this role to rural/remote locations.
• Natural England encourages staff to travel by public transport wherever this is feasible.
• Your employment shall, unless terminated earlier by either you or the Employer giving no less than five weeks’ notice, continue for a fixed period until 31/03/2027 upon which date it shall automatically terminate without the need for notice by either party to the other.
• On taking up this post, the post holder will be expected to follow certain time-recording and expenses claim rules and will be required to sign a letter allowing Natural England to use their payroll information and request copies of pay slips for project claims and audits.
  

Locations

Natural England is adopting hybrid working – which means our staff work from a flexible range of locations, encompassing home, offices (ours and our partners) and relevant sites. All new staff will be formally linked to one of our 25 offices across England and the expectation is that all new staff will be able to access their local office to be part of the community of staff in their geographical area. Full time staff are expected to attend their associated office for a minimum of one day a week.

Staff members are required to carry out all their duties working in this way and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time. Travel expenses will be paid if work related travel is required but does not apply to travel between home and your associated office.

National team roles can be linked with any Natural England office while Area Team roles will be linked with an office in the relevant geographic area.

View a map of our office locations here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-england-office-locations

How to Apply

We welcome and encourage applications from all communities. Natural England is accredited to the Disability Confident Scheme, which denotes organisations which have a positive attitude towards disabled people. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements for the role at the shortlisting stage are guaranteed an invitation to interview.

If you require a reasonable adjustment at interview, or there is anything else you would like the panel to take into consideration, you should notify us of this at application stage where possible, or well in advance of your interview.

This vacancy uses competency-based assessment. We'll assess you against the competencies below during the selection process:

• Personal Effectiveness
• Putting people at the heart of the environment
• Work Delivery
• Technical skills and knowledge

When completing the application form you should present relevant examples using the STAR format. Give us an example of how you have demonstrated the competency (which can be work related or from another area of your life) and tell us about the Situation, the specific Task you had to undertake, the specific Actions you took, and the Result (both immediate and in a wider context) of your doing so.

Please note that STAR format is not required when answering the Technical Skills & Knowledge competency.

Examples should be given in no more than 250 words for each competency.

Natural England is undertaking a review of its current Staff Framework to ensure that it continues to be fit for purpose for the future and able to deliver its ambitions as an organisation. It will enable us to attract, retain, and grow our people to deliver our ambitious mission to build partnerships for nature recovery and provide enriching careers for our people.  Role responsibilities will not change as a result of the review, but all roles will be assessed against the new Staff Framework and will be aligned to one of the new 3 Job Families (Shaping, Enabling and Delivering). 

Do you have a passion for nature and the environment? Do you want to make a real difference and secure significant environmental gains in the present and the future? Do you enjoy working in a team? Can you see yourself advising communities and customers to maximise gains for the Natural Environment? 

If this appeals to you, a career at Natural England offers rewarding opportunities to secure environmental improvements and play your part in creating a better future for people and nature. 

The priority work Natural England is delivering includes:

• Establishing a Nature Recovery Network to help wildlife thrive;
• Monitoring environmental changes to identify and help reduce the effects of climate change;
• Working with farmers and landowners to develop greener food production methods;
• Advising on plans for new developments to maximise gains for nature, and
• Providing ways for people to better connect with nature, including green social prescribing.

We are the Government’s Adviser for the natural environment, playing a vital role in delivering the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, an ambitious vision which brings new opportunities to protect and enhance and to achieve real outcomes for the environment.

Find out more about the work of Natural England at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england

Benefits 

Wherever possible Natural England accommodates requests for both full-time and part-time hours and other flexible working patterns to help employees achieve a good work/life balance and maintain their health and wellbeing. 

Natural England provides excellent opportunities for career progression, training and development tailored to your role. From induction to ongoing learning and development, everyone in Natural England is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. Everyone has 10 days to devote to personal learning and development, as well as an additional 3 days to volunteer. 

You will have access to Civil Service Pension and benefits arrangements and generous leave allowances (33 day per year pro rata), as well as flexible working, to help you achieve a work-life balance that works for you and us. 

You will have access to a range of benefits including discounts on shopping vouchers, cycle to work scheme, and childcare vouchers. You can also join the Civil Service Sport club which offer discounts on a range of sports and leisure opportunities as well as social events. 

Natural England is a fantastic place to work, where difference is celebrated. 

We’re committed to fairness and equality for all, so you feel valued for who you are and what you do. Our shared values help us work together to benefit the communities we serve. Our thriving employee-led diversity networks support our inclusive culture and contribute to our Diversity Action Plan. 

Vacancy Manager:

Helen Smith – R4Ever Kent LIFE Senior Responsible Officer

07917 514373

helen.smith@naturalengland.org.uk