Post Award Finance and Project Officer in North East

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role. If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk.

The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.

The Role and the Department Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides guidance, expert advice and hands‑on support for all aspects of research and research‑related work, including securing funding, working with partners, undertaking knowledge exchange, demonstrating impact, commercialising outputs, ensuring good research practice and supporting professional development. We are seeking a Post Award Finance and Project Officer to join our Post Award Team within Research Operations to support a colleague’s maternity leave. You will deliver comprehensive post‑award financial and administrative support, ensuring that project leaders and researchers receive timely, expert advice. Your responsibilities will span the full grant lifecycle, from award acceptance and project set‑up, through financial monitoring and budget management, to final claims, reconciliation, project closure, and preparation for both internal and external audits.

Stakeholder engagement is at the core of this role. You will act as the primary point of contact for internal and external partners, facilitating clear communication and effective coordination across departments and funding bodies. You will also regularly review project budgets, income, and expenditure to maintain accuracy and to identify and address any significant variances such as under‑ or overspending, ineligible costs, or issues with overhead recovery.

• Manage the post‑award financial administration of non‑research grants, ensuring accurate and timely closure.
• Prepare and submit financial claims, invoices, and statements in line with funder and institutional deadlines.
• Monitor budgets, income, and expenditure, identifying and resolving variances, and providing financial forecasts to project leads.
• Reconcile project accounts, process final expenditure and exchange rate journals, and ensure accurate allocation of income.
• Ensure compliance with funder terms and conditions, advising stakeholders on eligible expenditure and removing ineligible costs.
• Coordinate staff approvals with HR, ensuring alignment with project budgets and funder requirements.
• Calculate and transfer fEC overheads/indirect costs in accordance with approved budgets.
• Liaise with internal teams (Finance, HR, Departments) and external stakeholders (funders, HEIs, partners) to resolve queries.
• Maintain accurate, auditable records and ensure financial systems reflect final approved expenditure.

Working pattern: Monday – Friday. Hybrid 2 days in the office. You can work additional days in the office if you choose. The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional services hub. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working.

Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: You’ll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS). No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost‑effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand‑new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.

We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. We provide wide‑ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state‑of‑the‑art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24‑7 Employee Assistance Programme. Our on‑site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5‑16. Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community. You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions. Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest‑free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under‑represented in our workforce including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply / Person Specification When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.

• Qualifications/Experience

• Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post‑16 qualification or equivalent experience.
• Demonstratable experience in university or comparable finance management process.
• Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of stakeholders.
• Proven ability to develop and implement business processes.
• Experience of working within a post award role within a Higher Education Institute.

• Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

• Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
• High level of numeracy and attention to detail.
• Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365 applications and finance systems (e.g. Oracle Financials, Wortribe).
• Ability to manage competing priorities under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Committed to continuing professional development.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and plan appropriate solutions.
• Ability to participate in networks to share best practice and exchange information.

How to apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e‑recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.

What you are required to submit

• A CV.
• A short covering letter (no more than half a page A4) explaining what attracts you to the role, what you could bring to it and what it could bring to you.
• A grid or table listing each of the criteria and how you meet them, in each case, providing evidence from previous experience and/or qualifications.

Contact details If you would like to have a chat about the role or for any further information please get in touch with Sarah Lord, Post Award Finance and Project Manager, sarah.l.lord@durham.ac.uk.

Typical Role Requirements Service Delivery Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values. Ensure that the University’s procedures and values are always reflected in all aspects of the service provided and adapt ways of working where this is not evident. Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to your professional area of expertise, in line with the University’s policies, regulations and values. Provide specialist advice and make decisions to resolve problems relating to the services you are responsible, such as advising on the eligibility of costs under specific funder terms. Use your experience and problem‑solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role such as discrepancies in project expenditure, delays in financial reporting, or non‑compliance with funder terms, and make recommendations based on your findings. Provide the best possible service to all that you work with by reviewing and making suggestions to improve the service. Collect and record data and information accurately. Organise and analyse data and statistics to ensure it is accurate and provide reports to senior colleagues. Implement any changes or processes to ensure the accuracy and integrity of data and information.

Planning and Organising Plan and organise your workload to deliver the role. Plan, manage and deliver assigned projects, activities and events in accordance with agreed objectives. Seek feedback from stakeholders to ensure that the service is updated to meet customer expectations. Explain and provide instruction to other team members. Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings, working groups and committees. Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills, while swapping information with peers. Build relationships with project investigators, research support staff and funding bodies to share good practice, exchange information and work together on joint initiatives.

Any other reasonable duties.

MATERNITY COVER Appointment to this post is fixed term to cover the substantive post holder’s maternity leave and is not anticipated to be extended. SECONDMENT The post is full time, fixed term and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.