Internal Applicants Only - Project Officer – Finance and Data

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This post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only.  Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.

Internal Applicants Only - NSMHPP - Project Officer - Finance and Data

The National Student Mental Health Partnerships Programme (NSMHPP) is currently in year one of development and delivery, following a year of feasibility work in 2023/24.  The focus for the programme is to support and facilitate the Higher and Further Education Institutes in Wales work together with the NHS to improve understanding and access to mental health support for post-16 students and learners.

As such, an exciting opportunity has arisen to join the NSMHPP.  The role of the Project Officer - Finance and Data will be supporting the finance management and a range of  project support to the programme team, including a particular focus on the data workstream of the programme.  

This post is hybrid working based in the Centre for Student Life, Park Place, and remote working.  There will be a requirement to visit partner sites in Wales but notice would be provided.

The post is full time (35 hours per week) and fixed-term from September 2025 to July 2026, with possible extension if funding is identified.  Standard Shift Pattern - Monday to Friday

Salary: £33,482 - £36,130 per annum (Grade 5)

If you would like to discuss the post or have any questions, please contact
brownm27@cardiff.ac.uk Mike Brown, Project Manager.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 37 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), pro rata for part time staff, local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments up the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

Closing date: Friday, 25 July 2025

External applications are currently not being considered for this post.  If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job Description

Job Purpose

Being a key member of the National Student Mental Health Partnership Programme (NSMHPP), by providing finance and administrative project support to the team and key stakeholders affiliated with the programme.  The role holder will be required to provide support with programme data as part of the improvements to the collection of national student mental health appointment data.

Key Duties

• Provide professional advice and guidance on finance processes and administration procedures to the programme, using judgement and creativity to suggest the most appropriate course of action where appropriate, and ensuring complex and conceptual issues are understood.
• Ensuring that the programme finances are completed in accordance with the University’s financial regulations.
• Investigation and analysis of specific issues regarding programme data and finances,  drafting  recommendation reports, supported by the programme team members and other expertise as required.
• Ensure that the provision of project or administrative support is delivered to the programme, proactively changing the delivery according to requirements.
• Collaborate and coordinate with others to make recommendations for improvements or developments of established processes and procedures.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with key contacts, developing appropriate communication links with the Universities, Colleges, NHS and outside bodies as required
• Create specific working groups from colleagues across the programme to achieve its objectives
• Process purchase orders, invoice requests and payments for the programme activities.  Tracking and reporting the spend on the programme spreadsheets.
• Supervise and coordinate specific staff on an occasional basis to accomplish key objectives
• Develop and deliver training within the programme as required.
• Undertake a variety of administrative duties, including supporting and completing procurement and recruitment administration processes.

General Duties

• Abide by all University policies and undergo appropriate personal and professional development.
• Ensure staff receive a high quality of service, support and accurate timely information which is prioritised as appropriate depending on the need of the person or the division.
• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
• Abide by University policies on Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity.
• Perform other duties which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Important notice:

It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable.
As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.
Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined below.
Your application will be considered based on the information you provide under each element.
When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, e.g. Supporting Statement for 20435BR

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

Degree/NVQ 4 or equivalent Professional membership/experience,

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Substantial experience of working within a role supporting financial management or data analysis

Able to demonstrate professional knowledge of finance or data analysis to give advice and guidance to internal and external customers  

Ability to set up and maintain standard office systems and procedures and make improvements as appropriate.

Proficient in using common office IT packages (e.g., MS Office) especially Excel spreadsheets to a high standard.

Customer Service, Communication and Team Working

Ability to communicate conceptually detailed and complex information effectively and professionally with a wide range of people

Evidence of ability to explore customers’ needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered

Planning, Analysis and Problem solving

Evidence of ability to solve expansive problems using initiative and creativity, identifying and proposing practical solutions and resolving problems with range of potential outcomes

Evidence of demonstrable knowledge of policies and procedures within finance, data analysis and/or project management

Evidence of ability to work unsupervised to deadlines, planning and setting priorities for own work and that of others and monitoring progress.

Desirable Criteria

Experience of working in a similar role or environment, e.g., Higher or further Education, and Project Management.

Proven experience of working with finance system such as Oracle and Business Objects.

Ability to speak/understand Welsh or a willingness to learn.

Additional Information

We want to employ people with a wide variety of experiences. We welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We are particularly seeking applications from candidates who come from backgrounds that are underrepresented at the University, including people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.

We are looking for a team player who will work with colleagues to provide a great service to the NSMHPP team and key stakeholders. You don’t need to have worked for a University before; this is an opportunity to show your potential and start or continue your career at Cardiff University.
This role may be an opportunity for you to build on your experience from working in a previous administrative role or environment with particular interest in finance related tasks showing your transferable skills and aptitude to be successful in the role. You should be enthusiastic about developing your knowledge and skills to become a valued member of the team.

Your application will be assessed against the following essential and desirable criteria for the role. Please copy and paste this section into a new document and give clear examples of how you can evidence meeting each criteria by writing under each one. You can draw on elements from any aspect of your life (e.g., work, home, education/qualifications or community life) as long as you focus on their relevance to the role.

Please note that these are also the criteria shortlisted applicants will be assessed against at interview and/or by other means (e.g. a skills test).

How we will support you in performing this role
We want to support and develop you in the role, using a combination of the following to help you reach your full potential.

1. Regular one-to-one meetings with your team leader.
2. An experienced and supportive team around you.
3. Support to undertake job-relevant training and development, as identified by your Line Manager.
4. A staff mentoring scheme.
5. Support to learn Welsh or to update language skills.

Job Category

Admin / Clerical, Business / Strategic Management, Information Technology, Technical