Job Description

This role is key to running the finance and data processes for Further Education Student Support (FESS) and Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).

The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. The Agency is responsible for the administration of student financial support to eligible students studying a course of Higher Education within the UK. SAAS supports approx. 160,000 students annually with the administration of over £1 billion of financial support.

SAAS has taken on the administration of Further Education Student Support.This is an entirely new function for the Agency and is part of Post-School Education and Skills Reform. SAAS will become the single funding body for student support in Scotland.

The post sits within the Corporate Services Directorate of SAAS and will support the administration of FE Student Support functions (FESS) including Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) to eligible students studying at college. The role will be fast paced and have opportunities to work closely with teams across SAAS – particularly Finance, HR and Communications as well as colleagues within the Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council. This is an excellent opportunity for a Finance Professional to develop their skills in delivering a key funding stream.

As a Senior Finance Officer you will line Manage the A4 Finance Officer for FESS. Undertaking analysis and reporting on expenditure and Forecasting expenditure.

Responsibilities

• Annual review and update of grant offer letter process for FESS and EMA.
• Input into the AO processes for spend.
• Monitor team mailboxes and work with the finance officers to resolve any queries.
• Producing reports on expenditure to date and detailed forecasts.
• Undertaking the annual EMA data collection, review and reporting.
• Undertake the quarterly FESS data analysis.
• Ensuring data governance, retention and compliance with best practice.
• Work flexibly across the team alongside other B1 finance roles to ensure cover of tasks.
• Project work on development of finance processes and delivery of student support.
• Ensuring the maintenance of overall financial control to ensure the integrity of financial data and accuracy of the supporting systems and records.

Working pattern

This role is a permanent level transfer position.

How to Apply

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive B1 employees.

Please submit a statement outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team (maximum 500 words).

Vacancy closes at 11:59pm

Selection Process

All applications will be invited to an informal discussion with the hiring manager.

Informal discussions are to be confirmed.

Further Information

If you have specific questions about the role, please contact simon.norbury@gov.scot

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.