Finance Officer - PeacePlus Nature

PeacePlus Nature is an ambitious €20.8 million programme that brings together nine partners to tackle the decline in priority species and habitats in Northern Ireland, and the border counties of Ireland. 

The partnership includes RSPB NI, BirdWatch Ireland, Butterfly Conservation, Monaghan County Council, River BlackWater Catchment Trust, Truagh Development Association, Lough Neagh Partnership, NI Water and An Taisce. 

The programme will work to restore blanket bog, lowland wet grassland, limestone grassland and priority species including Curlew, Hen harrier and Small Blue butterfly. This is an incredible opportunity to support a team to increase the populations of some of Ireland’s most iconic wildlife. 

You will work as a Finance Officer (International) for this partnership programme and be managed by the Senior Programme Manager.  

PeacePlus Nature is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). 

What’s the role about? 

RSPB NI have invested significant time in building the PeacePlus Nature Programme - a collaborative programme with multiple partners - to create an extensive portfolio of projects some of which are new and innovative. 

As a member of the Programme Management Team, you will: 

• Provide financial management resource for PeacePlus Nature, with particular emphasis on project budgeting, expenditure monitoring, financial reporting, grant compliance, and general financial administration duties 
• Manage project budgets and expenditure in close collaboration with the Senior Programme Manager to ensure financial propriety. 
• Recognise and minimise RSPB financial risk through monitoring project compliance with external grant conditions and taking action to improve systems and processes and/or alert the Head of Section to ensure management is aware. 
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with staff in partner organisations to ensure they fully comply with financial reporting obligations to the RSPB, and to assist and advise them in financial management. 
• Prepare appropriate contracts with partner organisations and other contractors, ensure they are enacted properly, process payments on behalf of the UK Countries Directorate and liaise closely with Finance Directorate to ensure payments are made efficiently. 
• Monitor and report progress towards achievement of the work programme to the relevant Head of Department and to donors to ensure adherence to our guidelines. 

What we need from you:

Essential qualifications, knowledge and skills: 

• Educated to degree level or have relevant suitable experience to be able to carry out duties effectively  
• Knowledge of financial management  
• Advanced spreadsheet skills  
• Excellent numeric skills  
• Highly proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel  
• Proven relationship and partner building skills  
• Proven financial management skills 
• Proven risk management skills  
• Proven diplomacy and negotiation skills  
• Experience of handling financial data - spreadsheets and databases  

Desirable qualifications, knowledge and skills:

• Proven track record of developing and managing large project budgets (£1 to 5 million) 

Additional Information

This is a Fixed-Term role for 37.5 hrs per week for 48 months.  

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term. 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 25th July. For further information please contact [email protected] or [email protected] 

As part of this application process, you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above. 

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application. 

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. 

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.