NCE Funding Expert

The NCE Funding Expert is responsible for managing assigned grant applications and granted projects from start to finish. For applications, the Funding Expert sets an application strategy (scope and storyline), manages the project team, maintains deadlines, attends SteerCos as needed, takes part in workstreams, and ensures the final submission is compliant, complete, and competitive. For granted projects, the Funding Expert manages the funded project and its project compliance requirements (deliverables, milestones, deadlines), prepares for and negotiates amendments as applicable, provides support for cost compliance and finalization activities, manages involved external support (grant support, studies, etc.), and maintains communications with authorities.

To achieve this, the NCE Funding Expert works closely together with the supervising role on their projects (NCE Funding Director or NCE Funding Project Manager), the relevant project team (local entity, CIE, E&C) and involved management. Furthermore, the NCE Funding Experts acts as a key partner for:

For projects:

GM and other senior management

Business developer & manager

Legal

For country assignment:

Country Senior Management

Country Business Developers

* For assigned projects (target two 200-500MEUR CAPEX projects per expert, combined with 2-8 smaller projects):

• • Execution:
    • Coordinate and manage the grant application process (e.g. project description, business case, aligning budgets and business case calculations to funding requirements) in close collaboration with the project teams, and subsidy consultants, under the supervision of the Funding Director or Funding Manager
    • Communication with funding authorities (project SPOC), maintaining the strong reputation that Air Liquide has built.
    • Manage relationships with customers, building strong trust-based connections in the context of funded projects which can be leveraged if needed to move projects forward.
    • Prepare amendments in case of timeline and scope changes, as well as finalizations of grants, and negotiate with authorities for their acceptance to obtain the maximum possible result for Air Liquide
  • Compliance:
    • Implement procedures for project compliance for EU funding to ensure result-based grants can be maintained and will not be recovered.
    • Follow up and reporting on project activities and results over the project lifetime (e.g. progress, deliverables, milestones, knowledge sharing obligations, GHG savings)
    • Co-creation of procedures for project and cost compliance for national funding programs, together with the Funding Compliance Controller of the relevant country, supported by NCE Funding Compliance Manager

* Country-assignment (target 2-3 countries per expert)

• • Exchange with assigned-country management, OPS and BDs to gather investment and project plans
  • Screen and monitor state aid programs to identify funding opportunities, and share information on state and EU aid with the local organisation, answering the country's funding related questions
  • Build new project concepts by bridging plan and program opportunities, taking into account the funding strategy set by the NCE Funding Director.
  • Communicate to cluster on plans, programs, and projects

Processes:

Funding applications and projects (Lvl 1):
This role is accountable for complete and eligible funding applications inside the NCE cluster, and for the proper follow up of existing funded projects.

Project and funding compliance (Lvl 1):
The role is accountable for ensuring project compliance and supporting cost compliance.

KPI:

• X amount of successful applications
• No project compliance issues (on time and complete)
• Regular updates on assigned countries
• Procedures created and implemented as needed

Education: (Technical) masters degree

Experience: at minimum 2 years of experience in funding required, with a specific focus on EU funding.

Competencies:

Hard skills:

• Language proficiency: Fluent and strong communication skills required in English. Other languages are a bonus.
• Specific technical skills:
  • Strong understanding of EU grant landscape
  • Familiarity with EU grant submissions and portals
  • Familiarity with relevant national grant processes
  • Broad knowledge base with understanding on all aspects of a project (finance, market, technology, policy, strategy, GHG, etc.)

Soft skills :

• Communication : ability to articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and concisely in written or verbal form
• Leadership: ability to inspire and motivate others to achieve a common objective
• Problem-solving: ability to identify, analyze and solve problems
• Adaptability: ability to adjust to change and new situations with ease
• Teamwork: working collaboratively with others to achieve a common goal.
• Conflict resolution: ability to manage and resolve conflicts effectively
• Critical thinking: ability to analyze information objectively and make informed decisions
• Cultural competence: ability to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Negotiation: ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts effectively.