Project Finance Officer

The National Space Academy (NSA) provides education programmes, continuing professional development sessions (CPD) and careers events, designed to support schools’ curricula in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) using space as the inspirational context. This ground-breaking initiative combines world class expertise in space science and climate science at leading universities and companies in the UK with a network of outstanding teachers to provide engaging and effective STEM interventions nationally and internationally. 

The NSA, having secured funding to run a second iteration of the Space to Learn project from July 2025 – March 2026, are seeking a Finance Officer is sought to support the project. This job will be based at the National Space Centre in Leicester for the length of the project.

Contract 

Fixed term to the end of project funding 31st March 2026.

Hours 

21 hours per week. These will normally be from Monday to Friday but there may be a requirement for some evening, weekend and bank holiday work according to the needs of the team. Time off in lieu will be granted accordingly.

Closing date for completed applications is 9:00am Tuesday 26th August.

Interviews for successful candidates will take place on the week commencing 8th September at the National Space Centre.

Key responsibilities

• To ensure that all financial documents are processed in relation to the project in a timely manner and collate all receipts/invoices and expenses claims from purchases by the Academy Team in relation to the Space to Learn project.


• To obtain and collate all receipts/invoices and expenses claims from purchases by Regional Project Officers in relation to the Space to Learn project.


• To obtain and collate all receipts/invoices and expenses claims from purchases by Space Advocates in relation to the Space to Learn project.


• To ensure compliance with the grant funding


• To lead in the project audit and collation of required evidence.


• To collect all the above monthly for submission to UK Space Agency in support of monthly claims


• To pro-actively see through transactions through Iplicit and support team members in their purchasing relating to the project.


• To assist the General Manager in keeping track of project finances.


• To assist the General Manager in the production of monthly reports and claims to UK Space Agency.


• To attend the annual symposium.


• Reasonable tasks may be designated as required.

Person Specification

Essential

• A minimum of two years' experience working in a finance team


• The ability to always act as an ambassador for the National Space Academy, building professional relationships with partner organisations, stakeholders and colleagues


• The ability to consistently comply with all NSC finance procedures


• A professional attitude to work and the ability to organise time effectively and to meet deadlines


• Good communication skills and can-do attitude


• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team


• Be able to work effectively and professionally when working remotely from the National Space Academy team


• Good IT skills, specifically in relation to the NSC finance system, with a willingness and ability to learn more specialist skills if necessary

Desirable

• Experience of working in project finance / grant funding


• Knowledge of working with the Iplicit system

Knowledge / Skills / Qualifications

• Experienced in Sales & Purchase Ledger and payment systems


• Have effective communication skills (written and verbal English)


• Be proactive and able to work on own initiative with minimal supervision.


• Possess excellent planning organisational and deadline time keeping skills.


• Exhibit good IT skill inc: MS Excel and quick to learn new systems.


• Ability to handle sensitive, confidential information
  

Workplace 

The National Space Centre offices.

A Disclosure and Barring Service is required for this role. Information about the Disclosure service can be found at the Directgov website.