Early Years Funding Payments & Monitoring Officer

Are you a meticulous finance and data professional with a passion for making a difference in children''s lives? Connect2Hackney, the internal talent team for the London Borough of Hackney, are seeking a dedicated Early Years Entitlement Funding, Payments and Monitoring Officer to join Hackney Education team.

This is a crucial role ensuring that vital funding reaches early years providers across the borough, supporting free childcare entitlements for two, three, and four-year-olds. You will be at the heart of the system, enabling our youngest residents to get the best start in life while "working for every child".

In this position, you will take ownership of the financial and data processes that underpin our early years funding schemes, managing a small team and ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency every step of the way.

About the Role

As the Funding, Payments and Monitoring Officer, you will be responsible for a wide range of tasks, including:

• Financial Management: Managing the day-to-day payments process for the Free Entitlement schemes, Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP), Disability Access Fund (DAF), and Inclusion funding. You will also support the monitoring of income and expenditure against designated budgets [p3].
• Data & Compliance: Conducting the termly data collection process, including the statutory DfE Early Years Census, and ensuring all data is validated to DfE standards. You will also support the scheduling of financial monitoring visits to providers to ensure compliance with statutory guidance.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Support: Acting as a key point of contact for early years providers (including schools, PVI providers, and childminders), offering guidance, support, and training on funding claims and the census process. You''ll also build strong working relationships with internal teams and partners [p3].
• Team Leadership: Providing direct line management for two Funding and Monitoring Team Administrators, guiding their work and professional development.
• Systems & Reporting: Utilising spreadsheets, databases, and the Synergy system to manage data, facilitate payments, and produce a range of financial and performance reports for internal and external evaluation.

About You

We are looking for a proactive, solutions-focused individual who can confidently manage complex financial and data processes. The ideal candidate will have a keen eye for detail and the ability to interpret and apply government policy in a local context.

To be successful, you will need:

• Qualifications & Experience:
• To be educated to a degree level [p4].
• At least 3 years of experience in a performance management, information analysis, or financial management setting [p4].
• Proven experience in performance management within a large organisation, including target setting and monitoring.
• Experience using spreadsheets and databases to manipulate complex data and produce user-friendly management reports.
• Experience working collaboratively with schools or community/voluntary sector providers.
• Knowledge & Skills:
• Essential knowledge of the free entitlement funding for 2, 3, and 4-year-olds.
• A wide range of well-developed ICT skills, with a strong working knowledge of databases and accounting systems.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to coordinate large data returns to central government.
• Personal Attributes:
• You will embody the Hackney Education Leadership Qualities, including resilience, creativity, and a strong sense of direction and purpose.

Why Work for Hackney?

When you join Hackney Education, you become part of a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to excellence and innovation. We offer:

• A competitive salary and a generous Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance.
• A commitment to your continuous professional development and training opportunities.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment.

Please note: This role requires an enhanced DBS check.

Commercial Services Trading Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.