The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences – is seeking a Senior International Funding and Operations Lead to join our International Team. You will coordinate and lead the International Team’s financial responsibilities, managing, analysing and advising on the financials of the Team’s portfolio of funding schemes, modelling and profiling potential future funding programmes, and ensuring that financial returns to funders, including Government, are submitted accurately and on time.

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

The British Academy’s International Team promotes and supports international collaboration and mobility, develops and maintains links with sister academies, international organisations and other partners overseas, and leverages the expertise of Fellows and award holders to further the Academy’s reach, impact and influence internationally.

The current work programme includes a broad portfolio of topics such as: Europe’s Futures; Conflict, Stability & Security; Justice, Rights & Equality; Urban Futures; and Knowledge Frontiers.

The Academy’s international programmes are multi-year endeavours which entail a wide array of activities: from providing research funding to talented individuals in the UK and overseas; to informing international policy and public debates; to using the Academy’s convening power to showcase the value of international and interdisciplinary collaborations for addressing today’s global challenges and ensuring that the UK maintains its place as a world leader in the social sciences and humanities.

The International Team is a friendly, engaging team, part of the Academy’s wider Research Directorate, which comprises the International Team, Early Careers Researcher Network and Research Funding teams.

The Senior International Funding and Operations Lead will be part of the International Team. Reporting to the Head of International, core duties of the Senior International Funding and Operations Lead will involve: overseeing all financial transactions on the portfolio of funding schemes managed by members of the team; monitoring and remodelling the operational budget to support the delivery of the Academy’s funding portfolio; and advising the Head of International and the Directors of Research and Resources on financial performance. You will be an effective communicator, able to collaborate with both external and internal stakeholders, and will have a high level of numeracy and literacy.

For further information about the International activities of the British Academy, see: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/international.

OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Budget Management

• Manage and oversee the financials of all external funding schemes and delivery budgets in the International Team. This includes:

  • Maintaining accurate records of payments across finance codes and throughout the financial year

  • Ensuring that grant payments are made accurately and on time and that all budget lines are accurately reconciled each quarter and at the end of the financial year

  • Producing financial forecasts

  • Reconciling and maintaining an accurate record of payments on relevant tracker documents to match against the Academy’s finance system records to ensure that grant payments are recorded correctly and on time against relevant budget headings, as well as

  • Checking of and/or submission of financial returns to funders, including the UK government. 

• In tandem with the Finance Business Partner analyse and advise on financial performance of all such external funding projects and schemes.

• Forecast and model annual expenditure of new funding schemes under discussion with DSIT or other funders to inform future call development.

• Lead on the monitoring and profiling of award payment schedules and model implications for annual budgets forecasts.

Financial data and reporting

• Lead on the development and management of the International Team’s external reporting to government, including engaging with government officials and coordinating internally to ensure such reporting is to a high quality standard and on time.

• Lead and deliver on the creation of regular and ad-hoc financial reports, updates, and analyses tailored to both internal and external stakeholders and presented in a compelling visual manner.

• Review and implement robust financial reporting processes and ensure rigorous compliance with reporting requirements as set out by our government funders.

• Together with the Finance Business Partner provide regular oversight and analysis of the International Team’s budgets, working closely with managers in the team, the Deputy Heads of International as well as Heads of International and Research Funding, and the Directors of Research and Resources.

Compliance and Assurance

• Take responsibility for regularly reviewed and updated due diligence policies and processes, including: ODA compliance; appropriate monitoring of award outcomes and value for money; and ensuring that overseas payments are processed in accordance with the British Academy’s Overseas Payment Policy.

• Ensure that the funding guidance and programme scheme notes are updated in accordance with the latest British Academy funding rules and compliance tasks, such as timely checking of and/or submission of financial returns.

• Provide quarterly reports on risks identified and lead on implementation of the necessary mitigatory action.

 Processes and Development

• Identify pro-actively ways in which the Academy’s finance and compliance processes can be strengthened and kept under regular and robust review.

• Continuously seek opportunities to develop subject matter expertise in relation to the external landscape of grants management and research funding, staying up to date with best practice and wider developments, ensuring that this knowledge is shared and applied to maximum effect within the organisation.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of appropriate and efficient working systems and processes, and to take responsibility for finding solutions to operational problems that may arise.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Working closely with the Finance Business Partner – International to coordinate all financial activities between the International Team and Finance.

• Advise, support, and be responsible for cascading best practice to relevant teams within the Academy, including the Finance Team, sharing information, creating/updating manuals, and providing training as appropriate.

• Support the implementation of any new system supporting financial management and reporting.

• Develop and maintain partnerships with external bodies, where appropriate.

• Ensure at all times effective communication with colleagues internal and external, to drive forward the International Team’s compliance and financial responsibilities.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Internal

• International team including managers and those with delegated responsibility

• Finance Business Partner International as well as the wider Finance and Internationals teams

• Directors of Research and Resources

External

• Government departments

• Finance / research awards departments in research institutions

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively

• Ability to build productive and collaborative relationships with colleagues at all levels, gaining buy-in and cooperation

• Professional, confident, open-minded and enthusiastic outlook when dealing with a variety of people internally and externally

• Confident in networking with colleagues at comparator organisations to share best practice

• Demonstrates a positive attitude towards helping others by providing appropriate support, using initiative, and not waiting to be asked

• Adopts a communication style appropriate to the situation and the audience, understanding that communication is two-way

• Is sensitive to different working styles and views, adapting where appropriate.

• Is willing and able to compromise and negotiate, including to resolve possible conflicts

• Handles difficult situations with sensitivity & respect

• Communicates effectively with staff across departments

• Promotes a positive impression of the Academy both internally and externally

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills 

• Finance experience, with a high level of numeracy and literacy

• Significant experience analysing, modelling and interpreting complex data, preferably in the HEI sector

• Excellent IT skills, specifically Excel, and the capability to learn new IT skills readily.

• Data Visualisation experience, ideally using packages such as Microsoft Power BI or Flourish.

• Excellent report-writing skills, especially in translating complex data into an accessible and clear format

• Experience of working independently with strong attention to detail.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Shares knowledge and skills with others

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives

• Strong organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

• Results-focused attitude

• Sets clear and structured objectives

• Evaluates and manages risks effectively

• Evaluates and reflects on plans & delivery and applies learning to future planning

• Takes ownership of tasks, including delegating effectively where appropriate

• Monitors progress effectively and adapts plans where possible

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Excellent problem-solving skills, ensuring good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Identifies problems and opportunities and acts on them

• Has a pro-active, can do, attitude, taking personal responsibility for correcting problems or resolving issues

• Focuses on solutions and demonstrates ability to meet deadlines under pressure, accurately and with attention to detail

• Anticipates obstacles and thinks ahead

• Takes a flexible approach to their work, happy to take on different responsibilities in the interests of the Academy

• Seeks and uses opportunities to learn and develop, and is quick in picking up new tasks

LEADERSHIP

Gives a clear sense of direction while inspiring others with vision and actions

• Is happy to support other team members during busy periods, whilst not compromising their own workload

• Treats other staff members and stakeholders with respect and honesty  

• Sets the right balance between referring decisions to the appropriate level and taking things forward without referral

• Takes ownership of their responsibilities and makes suggestions for improving the way things are done

• Ability to delegate tasks and provide an appropriate level of oversight and support to team members

BRITISH ACADEMY WORKPLACE VALUES

The Academy’s workplace values and supporting text are set out below. We share these core values with each other. They guide how we work together and with others. We demonstrate them through our behaviours.

COLLABORATION- We consistently work together to a common purpose, supporting each other, communicating openly and sharing knowledge. We are flexible and adaptable, receiving feedback constructively

CREATIVITY - We bring imagination and curiosity to our work, valuing learning, diverse thinking, and innovation. We are open-minded, receptive, and responsive, taking account of alternative perspectives

EMPATHY-We are understanding, sensitive, compassionate, and considerate, mindful of our own wellbeing alongside that of others

EXCELLENCE - We always do our best, without striving to be perfect, applying our expertise and experience to develop and grow

INTEGRITY - We are open and honest with each other, accepting personal responsibility and demonstrating loyalty. We are reliable and dependable, having belief that we will be transparent and clear

RESILIENCE - We are confident, bold, and tenacious, knowing when to listen as well as when to speak up. We respond positively to challenges and overcome problems

RESPECT - We are inclusive in our regard for each other, showing courtesy and appreciation. We treat people fairly and equally, welcoming everyone’s contribution and difference

APPLICATION PROCESS

We have a two-step approach to hiring, beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform. This will be followed by a panel interview and may involve a task component.

Please note that you may be asked to reference any literature that you may refer to, as applications that are highly plagiarised and not your own work. e.g. ChatGPT, will be declined.

Interviews for this role are currently scheduled for 8 February 2024 but this may be subject to change.