Grants Administration Officer (Program Admin Officer 3)

About Us

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is leading the transformation of early learning and child- care and the public education system in Nova Scotia. This will provide children and families with a strong foundation for lifelong success and well-being. Early learning and child-care programs play a key role in supporting young children to develop to their fullest potential. Nova Scotia provides grant funding to regulated child-care service providers (day care operators) and other key partners to support high quality early learning programs for children, families, and early childhood educators across Nova Scotia.

About Our Opportunity

This position reports to the Manager, Service Provider Funding.

The Grants Administration Officer is responsible for managing the delivery and administration of grants provided to the early learning and child-care sector in Nova Scotia.

The Grants Administration Officer reviews and analyzes applications for funding, required periodic reporting from grant recipients, and financial statements submitted by child-care centres and family home day care agencies (approximately 400). This information, and the analysis of it, is critical in determining eligibility for grants, and to assess recipients’ compliance with terms and conditions of funding agreements.

The Grants Administration Officer plays an important role to ensure excellent client service. You will act as a department liaison for the sector by responding directly to questions and concerns.  As the Grants Administration Officer you will also provide recommendations and advice, in consultation with the Manager, Service Provider Funding, to senior management regarding complex situations and operational pressures identified by Service Providers.

Primary Accountabilities

• Leads review and analysis of grant applications, including in-depth analysis of financial statements and operational budgets, and provides rationale and recommendations related to assessment of grant applications.
• Coordinates collection, review and analysis of data and information related to annual reports from child care centres related to the use of grant funding to ensure compliance with grant funding agreements.
• Leads financial monitoring processes, examining grant funding information and documents to ensure funds are utilized in accordance with terms and conditions.
• Identifies the need for in-depth program reviews and enhanced accountability measures.
• Supplies data, information, and financial analyses related to grants and funding programs in support of both compliance and financial reporting.
• Communicates clearly and timely with service providers who have questions or concerns about grant funding agreements and related.
• Supervises/ coaches team members, as applicable.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role you possess a relevant undergraduate university degree with a focus in accounting or finance, and five years of related professional experience. An equivalent combination of training and experience will be considered.

Experience in grants administration, finance and accounting related to business and/or government operations, is essential. This includes experience reviewing and assessing financial statements as a tool to identify financial risks, or related. The ideal candidate will also have experience providing advice and developing recommendations to senior leadership, including the preparation of information and briefing notes, reports, and presentations.

You have demonstrated experience establishing genuine and collaborative relationships with internal and external colleagues, and ideally, service providers and other community-based partners. You possess exceptional communication skills (written and verbal).

You have excellent analytical skills and strong time management proficiencies with an ability to manage competing priorities and concurrent projects. Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, and specifically EXCEL, is required.

Traits that are considered assets for this role:

• A professional accounting designation (i.e. CPA), and/ or other relevant certification (s).
• An understanding of the child care sector and the issues within it related to funding (accessibility, affordability, wages and operational requirements).

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks. 

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless career paths. 
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.