Senior Research Finance Officer

Trilateral Research is recruiting for a Senior Research Finance Officer to join our Research Finance team in the Republic of Ireland. 

The successful candidate will be responsible for the financial management of a portfolio of research grants, with particular emphasis on the European Commission funded grants and ensuring accurate and timely accounting and cost reporting. This role will be a central contact point within the organisation for researchers, project leads, finance colleagues and other business units.

Our company and what we do

At Trilateral Research, we provide ethical AI solutions for tackling complex social issues, from human trafficking and child exploitation, citizen security in crisis to pollution and climate change. We transform research into innovation and sustainable impact​, focusing our efforts where we can enhance societal wellbeing.

We apply rigorous, cutting-edge research when developing and accessing new technologies to ensure they achieve sustainable innovation and measurable impact. Our teams include humanities specialists, social scientists, data scientists, ethical, legal, and human rights experts who work across the technology-social disciplinary divide.

What are your responsibilities?

To include but not limited to the following:

Research Finance Management & Reporting:

• Support the financial management, monitoring and reporting of company coordinated projects.

• Support and advise researchers regarding financial monitoring and ensure effective communication with project partners and project leads.

• Monitor expenditure versus budget via regular reporting, assisted by the Research Finance Assistant, to ensure projects are progressing in line with forecast.

• Identify and resolve under or overspends versus the awarded research budget.

• Review personnel costs based upon timesheets, payroll data and eligible costs conditions.

• Prepare timely and accurate financial statements to claim all eligible costs for EU research grant projects.

• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of financial elements such as funder terms & conditions and provide advice to assigned budget holders on compliance issues.

• Monitor grant cashflow reports by tracking internal grant records and project status.

• Advise and support researchers with queries on grant agreement amendments and best practice on EC grant financial matters.

• Liaise with external coordinators in relation to overdue payments or reporting delays.

Research Grant Proposal Support:

• Lead project finance administration support during proposal submission such as providing guidance on application EC terms and conditions.

• Review project costing and ensure correctness and compliance with the existing budget guidelines, policies, and process of the company.

• Ensure that the Consortium Agreement is prepared and fully executed.

• Validate the completeness of the proposal and advise researchers when further information is required.

• Provide support on the grant agreement of awarded projects and ensure that that Funder’s deadline is met.

• Establish new grants and support the planning and forecasting of grant-related expenditures.

Project Expense Administration:

• Review and approve personal expense claims relating to research grant expenditure.

• Support the Research Finance Assistants with queries to external advisors in relation to travel, events, and settlement of expense claims.

• Reconcile costs across financial systems and report issues to Finance for resolution.

General Finance Support:

• Support the integration of research finance work with the corporate finance department and provide support for regulatory, commercial, and internal finance requirements.

• Other areas of responsibilities will include record maintenance and auditing, team training and guidance on policies and procedures in your remit.

Required education and experience:

Essential:

• 3+ years' experience in end-to-end research project support and management for both pre and post award.

• Experienced in research grant accounting.

• Significant knowledge of project accounting, financial management and budget management.

• Experience in project coordination, administration, and management.

Desirable:

• CPA/ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification or equivalent (candidates with relevant experience will be considered).

• Previous experience with the claims process for European Commission funding streams.

Professional knowledge and technical skills:

Essential:

• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills.

• Excellent IT skills with good working knowledge of Microsoft packages (Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint), advanced Microsoft Excel skills are essential.

• Experienced in communicating complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders.

• Advanced skills in stakeholder management.

• Ability to collate information from diverse sources and compile reports.

Interpersonal skills:

Essential:

• Good problem solving and critical thinking skills.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy and excellent attention to detail.

• Ability to work autonomously using own initiative.

• Flexibility and adaptability to change direction when required.

• Proven ability to multitask and prioritise effectively to meet deadlines.

• Ability to work with confidential material maintaining high standards of discretion.

What else do I need to know?

Location: This position is open to candidates based in the Republic of Ireland

Contract type: Permanent employment contract

Start date: ASAP

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Hours: Full- time hours

Our compensation package includes: Competitive salary, enhanced holiday entitlement increasing with service, company sick pay and family friendly pay, flexible working hours, remote working/working from home options, enhanced pension scheme based on service and continuous career development.

Please note that the closing date for applications is the 15th of October at 5pm GMT. Our hiring team will be continuously reviewing applications as they are submitted. We receive a high volume of applications, and we will only be able to progress applicants that meet all the essential requirements listed in this description.

How to apply?

Please submit your CV and complete all application questions listed, to have your application considered. References will be required prior to appointment and candidates must be eligible to work in the country the role requires.