CHANGE Finance Officer

Charity Jobs NI is delighted to be recruiting on behalf of Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) for a CHANGE Finance Officer to support the delivery of an important cross-border environmental project funded by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional who can bring strong financial administration, reporting, compliance and governance skills to a complex, multi-partner project environment.

This role will suit candidates with experience in finance operations, project finance, budget monitoring and compliance-led financial reporting. It may also appeal to those searching for opportunities such as Finance Officer, Finance and Payroll Officer, Project Finance Officer, Accounts Officer, Assistant Accountant or Finance Administrator.

About the Organisation

Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) is the networking and forum body for non-statutory organisations concerned with the natural and built environment of Northern Ireland. Its membership brings together extensive knowledge, expertise and experience to help shape policy, practice and implementation across a wide range of environmental issues.

NIEL’s work also extends across the island of Ireland, where it collaborates with partners including the Irish Environmental Network to address shared environmental challenges and support stronger cooperation, dialogue and evidence-led policy development.

About the Project

The Collaborative Horizons for All-island Nature and Governance Enhancement (CHANGE) project is a cross-border initiative designed to strengthen environmental governance and cooperation in response to increasing regulatory divergence and shared ecological challenges in a post-Brexit context.

Delivered in partnership by Northern Ireland Environment Link and the Irish Environmental Network, the project supports collaboration, evidence-led policy development and capacity-building among environmental organisations, public bodies and communities across Northern Ireland and Ireland.

A key component of the project involves the detailed mapping and analysis of regulatory divergence across climate action, biodiversity protection, marine conservation and freshwater management. Through consultation, research and practical collaboration, the project will help develop stronger frameworks for cross-border environmental consultation and cooperation.

The Role

The CHANGE Finance Officer will be responsible for providing financial management support for the project, helping to ensure that robust systems of financial control, governance and risk management are in place throughout delivery.

Reporting to the CHANGE Project Manager, the postholder will act as a central point of contact for financial advice and guidance relating to the project, working closely with project partners, NIEL colleagues and the funder to ensure that all financial processes, reporting requirements and compliance obligations are met to a high standard.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong attention to detail, sound financial judgement and the ability to manage financial processes accurately within a structured, compliance-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide financial management support for the CHANGE Project, including budgeting, cash flow management and financial planning
• Assist with managing and maintaining accounting systems, ensuring accurate recording and tracking of financial transactions
• Support daily financial processes including reconciliations, accounts payable and receivable, and financial reporting
• Ensure the timely distribution of payments to suppliers in line with PEACEPLUS programme policies and procedures
• Support the annual budgeting process, liaising with budget holders and NIEL’s Finance Manager to report on actual, forecast and budget expenditure
• Assist with the preparation of monthly financial reports, analytical reviews and variance analysis
• Prepare and collate monthly monitoring data as required by the funder
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual financial returns for the funder and project partners as required
• Liaise with project partners and external controllers to ensure all claims are submitted for verification within required timescales
• Ensure appropriate financial procedures, controls and governance arrangements are adhered to for the safe, effective and efficient management of public funds
• Maintain accurate financial records and supporting documentation in line with funder and organisational requirements
• Support audit preparation and ensure documentation is available to meet funder compliance requirements
• Support the management of procurement activities funded through the project to ensure compliance with procurement rules
• Provide guidance on procurement procedures and principles to support value for money and transparency
• Assist NIEL’s Finance Manager in processing payroll accurately and on time, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and organisational policies
• Maintain payroll records, manage deductions and assist with payroll-related queries
• Provide financial advice and guidance to the CHANGE project team, NIEL colleagues and project partners where required
• Support collaboration with project partners and the funder to ensure financial requirements of the project are met
• Support NIEL in embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion into its ways of working
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required

Person Specification

Candidates should be able to demonstrate strong finance, reporting and compliance experience, ideally within a project-based, grant-funded or regulated environment.

Essential Criteria

• An Institute of Accounting Technicians (IATI), Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) or equivalent qualification and at least 2 years’ practical experience in a comparable role, or at least 5 years’ practical experience in a comparable role where a qualification is not held
• Experience in budget management, including analysis of variances and preparation of reports for senior management
• Experience using cloud accounting software such as Xero or similar
• Experience in processing payroll and maintaining payroll records
• Advanced use of Microsoft Excel for financial analysis, data manipulation and reporting
• Experience in month-end financial processes including reconciliation of control accounts and preparation of management accounts
• Experience supporting internal or external audit processes
• Experience working with non-financial departments to provide finance support, advice and analysis
• Experience developing or improving financial processes, including implementation of best practice
• Proven experience managing EU-funded or similarly complex, compliance-driven projects
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, especially Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Knowledge of data protection and confidentiality requirements when handling information
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex information effectively to diverse audiences
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with professionalism and discretion
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills, including the ability to engage at senior stakeholder level

Desirable Criteria

• A qualified member of a relevant Chartered Professional Accountancy body
• Proven track record of developing and managing large project budgets
• Demonstrated expertise in monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting
• Experience in the NGO sector or another relevant sector
• Knowledge or experience of cross-border or transnational cooperation
• Knowledge of environmental issues

Location

NIEL Office, Lombard Street, Belfast, BT1 1RD, with hybrid working arrangements available by agreement with the Line Manager. The role may require occasional travel within Northern Ireland, the border counties of the Republic of Ireland, and elsewhere in the UK to support project delivery and attend team meetings. Applicants must therefore be based within Northern Ireland.

Salary

£30,000 per annum

Hours of Work

37.5 hours per week, normally Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Contract

Fixed-term contract until 31 January 2029, subject to funding, with the possibility of extension. Secondment opportunities will also be considered.

Benefits

• Contributory pension scheme of 7.5%
• 25 days annual leave plus 12 statutory holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Occupational Sick Pay
• Occupational Family Leave

Closing Date

Monday 20th April 2026 at 9am

Interview Date

Week commencing 4th May 2026

How to Apply

If you are passionate about using your finance expertise to support impactful environmental work across the island of Ireland, we would love to hear from you.

Simply apply now with your CV to register your interest. A member of the Charity Jobs NI team will be in touch to discuss your application and guide you through the next steps of the process.

Early application is advised, as the employer reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications or interest be received.

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that their application is submitted and received by the stated closing date and time.

Charity Jobs NI is proud to be supporting Northern Ireland Environment Link as recruitment partner for this vacancy.