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- Tasks: Support grant fund administration, process applications, and communicate with applicants and Defra teams.
- Company: NIRAS manages UK Government grant funds focused on biodiversity and environmental initiatives.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, flexible hours, and a comprehensive benefits package including sick pay and life assurance.
- Why this job: Join a successful team making a real impact in environmental conservation while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with competitive grant schemes and UK Government departments is essential.
- Other info: Hybrid working available; we value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25600 £ per year.
NIRAS -Grant Administrator
Contract type: Maternity cover
Salary: £25,000 – £32,000
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (Hybrid working available)
About Us: NIC-UK is contracted by the UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to manage a number of grant funds, including the Biodiversity Challenge Funds (BCFs), comprising the Darwin Initiative, Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund and Darwin Plus, the Ocean Community Empowerment and Nature (OCEAN) Grants Programme.
This role will involve working as part of an established and highly successful team to support the administration of these grant funds.
Key Responsibilities:
Support overall administration of grant funds, including processing financial claims, applications and reports.
Specific Tasks:
- Communicate with applicants on the progress of their applications, including provision of support to enable successful completion of applications.
- Communicate effectively with Defra teams on issues related to the grant funds (application numbers, payments, any issues from applicants and projects not able to be resolved within NIRAS).
- Management of applications and financial and technical reports, including communicating with applicants and projects to ensure submission within agreed deadlines.
- Management of financial data related to projects, including approval of financial claims against key criteria and documentation checks, and assistance with financial spot audits.
- Proofread and quality assure written reports and other written content for formatting, grammar, and logic of arguments.
- Process applications and make eligibility assessments against pre-agreed criteria, and collate and synthesise written and verbal comments to write detailed technical feedback for applicants.
- Provide support to applicants and projects based globally.
- Data collation and synthesis to help respond to client requirements.
- Provide overall support to Senior Grant Administrators
- Other comparable duties as may be required by your Line Manager.
Person Specification:
- Experience of working on competitive grant schemes.
- Experience of working with UK Government departments.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Meticulous attention to detail, and strong numeracy and literacy skills
- Strong communication skills across all levels of the organisation and with Defra staff
- Strong written communication skills (communication with Defra and applicants)
- Good planning and organisational skills.
- Ability to work to defined project deadlines, with competing demands on time.
- Ability to be adaptable and flexible and work in a multi-cultural environment.
- Ability to prioritise work effectively and balance conflicting demands without close supervision.
- Excellent Microsoft Office skills (particularly Excel and Word).
- Understanding of financial control processes related to payments.
- Knowledge of Flexi-Grant, Microsoft Azure and Umbraco software.
About you:
- A keen interest in and strong aptitude for financial processes associated with grants and/or contractual procedures.
- Good team-working skills alongside the ability to work independently with little direct supervision in a busy office.
Salary and Benefits:
In addition to a competitive salary, NIRAS offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
- 25 days paid annual leave plus public holidays.
- Employee Life Assurance.
- Employer pension contributions, and optional salary sacrifice arrangements.
- Company Sick Pay available from day one of your employment.
- 24/7 access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
- Enhanced provisions for family-friendly leave/pay.
- Paid time off for dependents and emergencies.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Flexibility over your working hours.
How to Apply:
To apply for this position, please submit your CV at your earliest convenience. Cover letters and any relevant portfolio or project examples are not essential, but will be reviewed alongside CVs if submitted.
Please do not hesitate to email Grace Hodgkinson (Assistant Talent Acquisition Partner UK) at should you have any questions.
NIRAS is an equal opportunity employer with a focus on Sustainable Development Goals. We value diversity in all its forms and welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds. We look forward to receiving your application.
Note: Due to time and workload constraints, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and should you not receive feedback within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
Grant Administrator employer: NIRAS UK
Contact Detail:
NIRAS UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Grant Administrator
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the specific grant schemes mentioned in the job description, such as the Darwin Initiative and the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund. Understanding these programs will help you demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous experience you have with UK Government departments or competitive grant schemes. This will show that you are well-prepared for the responsibilities of the role and can navigate the complexities of grant administration.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel and Word, as these are crucial for managing financial data and producing reports. Being proficient in these tools will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your ability to manage competing demands and work under tight deadlines. Providing examples of how you've successfully prioritized tasks in the past will demonstrate your organizational skills and adaptability.
We think you need these skills to ace Grant Administrator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in grant administration and any work with UK Government departments. Use specific examples that demonstrate your meticulous attention to detail and strong communication skills.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasize your strong written communication skills, particularly in relation to processing applications and providing feedback. Mention your proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Word, as these are crucial for the role.
Consider a Cover Letter: While not essential, a cover letter can help you stand out. Use it to express your keen interest in financial processes associated with grants and your ability to work independently in a busy office environment.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and any additional documents. Ensure there are no grammatical errors and that the formatting is consistent. This reflects your attention to detail, which is vital for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at NIRAS UK
✨Show Your Attention to Detail
As a Grant Administrator, meticulous attention to detail is crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where your attention to detail made a significant impact on a project or task.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Effective communication with applicants and Defra teams is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, and be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully communicated complex information in the past.
✨Highlight Your Experience with Financial Processes
Since the role involves managing financial data and claims, be sure to highlight any relevant experience you have with financial processes related to grants. Discuss your familiarity with tools like Excel and any specific software mentioned in the job description.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle competing demands and deadlines. Think of scenarios where you had to prioritize tasks effectively and be ready to explain your thought process during those situations.
