Funding Administrator (Children's Services)

The Role

Assists in the administration, coordination, and implementation of funding and related service agreements for early learning agencies and caregivers as part of the home childcare program. Creates and maintains funding applications and related spreadsheets, including funding formulas based on local policies/guidelines. Analyses/assesses applications to ensure compliance and makes recommendations to management for approval. Works with agencies/caregivers to explain funding outcomes, policies, and procedures.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Creates and maintains funding applications/forms, and spreadsheets including data sets and formulas/calculations based on local policies and guidelines, for management approval. 
• Assesses/analyzes funding applications against policies/guidelines, historical information, previous decisions, and consistency with other organizations to ensure compliance. Works with agencies/caregivers regarding discrepancies and interpretation. Makes recommendations to management regarding funding allocations.
• Coordinates the development of service agreements and templates with Legal and management.
• Reviews financial receipts and reports to verify that funds were used per contract agreements for initial and ongoing payments. Calculates under/overpayments and follows up with agencies/caregivers regarding same.
• Acts as a support for agencies/caregivers regarding program policies/guidelines, processes, and procedures. Meets with same to explain funding outcomes, calculations, and decisions; provide advice to ensure appropriate funding interpretation and compliance; and maximize potential for funding to support agency operations. 
• Reconciles actual monthly funding payments in financial system against approved allocations. Works with Finance to make adjustments to ensure funds are allocated to proper accounts. 
• Prepares program data and drafts summaries for reports for management approval. Assists to report information to the province, community groups, and other stakeholders.  
• Assists management in the development/review of funding administration practices, processes, protocols, and procedures, to support efficient and effective business operations, for management approval. 
• Participates in program reviews by providing data, reports, and related information to management. Provides input/recommendations regarding interpretation and review of guidelines/policies from an operational, client-centred perspective. 
• Backs up divisional administrative staff as required. 
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of program/service agreement administration, budgets, and bookkeeping/accounting skills, acquired through a 2-year diploma in a related field (e.g., Public Administration, Business Administration, Accounting) plus 3 years of related experience (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, legislation, and guidelines (e.g., Child Care & Early Years Act, local childcare service manager guidelines/policies, privacy).  
• Analytical, problem solving, and organizational skills to create and maintain funding applications and related data sets/calculations; reconcile financial information; lead business process reviews; work independently; and develop processes and procedures used by self and others including external agencies/caregivers. 
• Ability to identify, investigate, and take steps to resolve discrepancies/recommend corrective action.
• Communication and human relations skills to explain processes, policies, and funding outcomes to agencies/caregivers; work with agencies/caregivers to identify and maximize funding related to program goals and resolve issues; lead business process reviews; and participate as an effective team member.  
• Ability to read and interpret applications, agreements, budgets, financial information, guidelines, and policies. Ability to draft/write reports, correspondence, applications/forms, and procedures. 
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, provincial/federal databases and financial systems. Ability to create spreadsheets with funding calculations/formulas.  
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region. 
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.