Fixed-term post until December 2018 (10 months with potential extension). 37 hours Mon - Fri (with some weekend working)

Transcription

1 Job Description Job Title ERDF Programme Manager Subject to funding, this post is part-funded by England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme Location Duration Location Working Hours Salary NewcastleGateshead Initiative Baltic Place East South Shore Road Gateshead NE8 3AE Fixed-term post until December 2018 (10 months with potential extension). NGI 37 hours Mon - Fri (with some weekend working) 26,000-30,000 per annum Position in Organisation Reports to Budget Accountability ERDF Programme Manager Innovation Champion N/A Background In October 2016 NewcastleGateshead was selected to host the Great Exhibition of The North (GEOTN) 2018 showcasing the outstanding art, design and innovation from across the North of England. NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI) led the bid and is the lead delivery partner for the Exhibition. GEOTN will take place in summer a 14m programme celebrating innovation and creativity across Northern England, it will help boost investment and tourism whilst leaving a lasting cultural and economic legacy. Plans for GEOTN in NewcastleGateshead include using the whole destination as the stage, with a newly commissioned creative programme taking place in a range of venues and out on the streets of NewcastleGateshead. Three walking trails will be created - focusing on arts, design and innovation. Each trail will help to tell the Story of the North and how its inventors, engineers, artists and designers create and export life-changing products and services globally - not just in the past, but importantly - today.

2 The content along the walking trails will both inspire and be inspired by, a major exhibition hub at the Great North Museum: Hancock (curated by our partners at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums), and at the quayside alongside major new work commissioned by BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Arts and Sage Gateshead. Other important elements of GEOTN include inspiring opening and closing events, an entertaining and informative summer camp so families can get a hands-on experience of content (part of an extensive learning and engagement programme) and a Business Summit. GEOTN will be the largest event in England in 2018 and the aim is to engage an audience of 3m with two core objectives; Instil local pride and inspire people to pursue exciting lives and careers in the North; Transform global perceptions of Northern England; Reveal to the world how the North of England s great art and culture, design and innovation has shaped all our lives and is building the economy of tomorrow. For further information about GEOTN, please visit: Innovation Sub-Project (provisional title - GX) Innovation is a cross-cutting theme for GEOTN and GX was developed to ensure engagement with innovative NELEP scaleups and SMEs developing their innovation capacity, propensity to collaborate and ability to develop new products and services. GX will also ensure that NELEP scaleups and SMEs can capitalise on the exposure generated through GEOTN and the various partnerships that have been developed. GX will also work alongside organisations (e.g. Universities, research centres, large businesses) across the region and wider North where benefit can be created for NELEP businesses it will wraparound GEOTN and run for 24 months. GX will consist of mentorship and innovation expertise, challenge competitions, business grants, hacks and workshops, some of which are to be held during the Business Summit. GX will promote innovation growth by providing NELEP SMEs with the knowledge, data, financial support and platform to develop new ideas, products, services, and working processes. The project will principally focus on Smart Specialisation areas of economic activity (AEAs) in Passenger Vehicle Manufacture; Subsea and Offshore Technology; Life Sciences and Health; Creative, Digital, Software and Technology Based Services. Two posts were created to support this work - the Digital Champion and the Innovation Champion. Overall management of GX will be undertaken by the Innovation Champion who the ERDF Programme Manager will work alongside. Both the Innovation Champion and ERDF Programme Manager will also work closely with the Digital Champion whose primary role is to develop digital content and solutions for GEOTN which reflect the key industry strengths of the North. Overall purpose of the job The overall purpose of this job is to implement the GX project (which will be overseen by the Innovation Champion) and provide comprehensive financial and administrative support to the GX project and staff. The individual will coordinate all GX monitoring functions pertaining to funders and

3 internal monitoring requirements, including compliance, client records and reporting. Responsibilities Implement the GX project on a day to day basis including liaison with delivery partners and any other contracted parties. Coordinate the GX compliance functions pertaining to the GX project in relation to project content, processes, beneficiaries, publicity and reporting. Provide a comprehensive financial and administrative service to NGI specifically the ERDF funded project GX. 35% 45% 20% Total: 100% Abbreviations used in this job description: DCMS: Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport ERDF: European Regional Development Fund GEOTN: Great Exhibition of the North GX: Provisional title given to ERDF Innovation Sub-Project Duties and responsibilities Implement the GX project on a day to day basis including liaison with delivery partners and any other contracted parties. Work with existing GEOTN/GX staff in day-to-day delivery of the GX project; Support the Innovation and Digital Champion in ensuring full integration with GEOTN; Work with delivery partner Innovate NE to fulfil all funder objectives and outputs for GX; Directly engage and support NELEP scaleups and SMEs through GX; Support Innovation and Delivery Champion in developing relevant partnerships as part of GX; Organise and contribute to the GX steering group meetings, providing verbal or written updates as required. Coordinate the GX compliance functions pertaining to the GX project in relation to project content, processes, beneficiaries, publicity and reporting. Programme Work with the Innovation Champion to coordinate the management and recording of all eligible SME engagement; Monitor the GX project in relation to all deliverables; Responsible for SME checks (eligibility with GX and wider ERDF compliance); Work alongside the Innovation Champion (and other key GEOTN staff) in delivery of procurement processes related to GX.

4 Monitoring Support the Innovation Champion in developing and implementing a monitoring assurance framework to govern the approach for monitoring inspections and reports in relation to GX; Act as compliance lead for GX - set up internal project monitoring team; Ensure there is a clear understanding amongst staff of all funder requirements of the monitoring, reporting and claims process related to GX; Maintain client records and organisational databases with the Innovation Champion; Ensure all key GX documents are collated and retained in an easily accessible manner; Produce and collect forms and guidance related to staff, delivery partners, SMEs and grants; Responsible for completion of client paperwork related to GX; Contribute to quarterly monitoring meetings; Maintain CRM system and all databases related to GX. Provide a comprehensive financial and administrative service to NGI specifically the ERDF funded project GX. General Administrative duties to the Innovation Champion and Digital Champion (including but not limited to minute + note-taking, staff and speakers travel arrangements, diary and schedule planning); Responsible for communicating any changes in ERDF regulation or project information; Support (and where relevant lead) the Innovation Champion on GX project and events; Responsible for all correspondence with GX beneficiaries. Financial Work with the Finance team to set up systems and procedures to capture and comply with ERDF requirements; Alongside the Finance Manager, monitor, forecast and report on financial performance; Manage GX project cashflow and work with the Finance Manager to ensure integration with overall GEOTN budget and cashflow. Claims and reporting Prepare accurate claims for GX - collate and review all data and contribute, where relevant, to other funder reporting commitments; Ensure all reporting meets funder deadlines; Ensure all funding spend, particularly ERDF is eligible and report immediately of any irregularities on the ERDF programme. Inspections / Audits Production of guidance related to evidence collection required to meet inspection requirements; Support Finance staff in preparation for any inspection; Ensure that any recommendations following inspections are successfully implemented; Alongside the Finance Manager, ensure that audit trails are traceable back to the original

5 source documents; Alongside the Finance Manager, responsible for archiving and safe storage of all initial contact forms and client registers. Wider corporate responsibilities Contributing to the delivery of the organisation s partnership development objectives by assisting in the recruitment and retention of partners; Information sharing and joint working with NewcastleGateshead Initiatives partners on a local, regional and national level; Playing an active part in the company s ongoing development in relation to new marketing initiatives, new procedures and policies; Representing the region professionally and actively raise the profile of NewcastleGateshead s Initiatives at all times; Contributing to a good team spirit and foster an environment of support and cooperation within Central Services and the wider organisation; Undertaking any other duties that may be required in order to ensure the smooth running of Central Services and the wider organisation. Person Specification Category Essential Desirable Skills, knowledge and aptitudes ESIF/ERDF management, monitoring or administrative experience; Knowledge of the North s prime capabilities and the NELEP s smart specialisation areas; Knowledge of the NELEP Strategic Economic plan; Ability to set-up and maintain project cash-flows; Excellent organisational skills including attention to detail and multi-tasking skills; Ability to efficiently prioritise and deal with changing demands; Able produce work of a high Knowledge of the innovation support landscape in the NELEP area; Knowledge of the existing innovation support organisations and projects in the NELEP area; Knowledge of the NELEP business ecology Knowledge of the wider North s economic strengths and weaknesses.

6 standard and work to tight deadlines. Qualifications and training Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Educated to degree level or equivalent demonstrable experience. Experience Experience of coordination of business support projects; Experience of ERDF delivery (including all reporting monitoring and finance); Direct business support (delivery) experience; Experience of business support to scaleups. Experience of high-live partnership working in the delivery of support projects; (Business Support) events experience. Disposition Team player on project delivery; High-level interpersonal, communication, networking and representational skills; High-level organisational and time management skills, including the capacity to work under pressure; Ability to manage and meet partner/client/customer expectations; Able to cope with pressure and high expectations; Ability to work flexibly. Special requirements Able to work outside of office hours as required.