Connor Gaughan
Edmonton,Alberta
Summary
Seasoned communications and support professional with over six years of experience representing the Government of Alberta. Expertise in liaising with wide range of parties, including all levels of management, operational experts and stakeholders.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Liaison Officer
Government of Alberta
04.2022 - Current
- Establishes an ongoing rapport and consultation with First Nations in geographic region of responsibility
- Consults with First Nations regarding available funding, application and accounting deadlines, etc
- Ensures incoming program applications are complete, eligible, viable and reviewed in a timely manner for conformity to the FNDF Grant Program Agreement
- Reviews and addresses concerns related to program intent
- Assesses the financial viability of proposed projects
- Identifies any application shortcomings in relationship to the FNDF Grant Program Agreement
- Monitors the timely preparation of complete and accurate approval packages for the Minister to sign-off on all grants
- Monitors and assists with reporting and financial accounting as required
- Takes a leadership role in the ongoing review of program policies, procedures and processes
- Prepares and develops interpretations of the FNDF Grant Program Agreement and makes recommendations to senior management, for decisions regarding application variances in order to maintain program integrity and consistency
- Draft reports, briefings and responses to Ministerial correspondence that may be highly political and sensitive
- Participates in business planning, performance measures development and program evaluation
- Communicates with First Nations regarding FNDF Grant Program financial information, such as available funding, use of funding for one or more projects and consequences of not meeting application deadlines
- Proactively communicates with First Nations Band Councils and administration to inform them about the FNDF Grant Program
- Ensures applications are complete, eligible, and viable prior to submission
- Provides information to the FNDF Director regarding each application and provides input so that an informed decision can be made regarding grant funding as all FNDF grants are approved by the Minister
- Monitors projects and provides progress updates as required
- Notifies First Nations about reporting and accounting requirements and assists as necessary to ensure reporting and accounting is accurate and submitted in a timely manner
- Participates in site audits as requested and/or required
- Assists in dispute resolution as required
- Makes presentations as requested and speaks at other related public functions as necessary, including grant workshops
- Discusses grant submissions with other government departments and agencies
- Assists First Nations in increasing their capacity in the planning, management, and use of FNDF funds
- Share with First Nations information on other funding sources, and information on accessing other funding sources in support of FNDF projects
- Assists in the planning and delivery of workshops on FNDF for First Nations
- Accomplishments
- Built strong relationships with assigned Nations by going above and beyond to respond to inquiries and travel to Nations to provide information sessions for staff, chiefs and councils
- Was trained and provided cover off for different position in unit to better understand the financial systems and payment process
- Redeveloped the program guide including building a definition of the programs and types in order to more accurately provide deliverables within the Ministry
- Competencies Demonstrates
Program and Financial Review Officer
Government of Alberta
05.2016 - 04.2022
- Apply funding formula to allocate appropriate funds for each of the 205 municipalities and Metis Settlements using median income from Statistics Canada and population from Municipal Affairs
- Use allocated funds to create Funding Agreements and Annual Program Reports
- Prepare quarterly payments for all 205 FCSS programs assuring accuracy and timeliness
- Review annual reports received from the FCSS programs, ensuring compliance with the FCSS Act and Regulation and FCSS Program policies and procedures
- Research, analyze and interpret the FCSS Act, related legislation and policy, provide advice with various stakeholders on programing, requirements and financial obligations
- Prepare reconciliation statements to determine municipalities’ surplus/deficit to reconcile the FCSS grant payment
- Create Annual Overview reports which give financial and programing information of all municipalities within the fiscal year
- Research and recommend improvements for FCSS grant process
- Ensure contracted services are delivered in a timely manner
- Develop terms of reference, create contract documents and gather all supporting documentation required for program contracts, Shared Services Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding
- Advise contractors of necessary requirements for contract execution or amendments and forward to expenditure officer
- Analyze grant submissions for accuracy and required information
- Part of team which created grant and managed process to distribute grants in Alberta in response to the pandemic
- Research, analyze and interpret the FCSS Act and related legislation
- Provide consultation and advice to local FCSS Directors, Boards, senior municipal officials and their auditors, on a wide variety of information related to FCSS such as interpreting provincial and municipal mandates and roles, determining Program and project eligibility, clarifying and advising on provincial reporting requirements and providing information on changes to the FCSS Program and the provincial government
- Track and communicate program decisions made through interpretation of legislation and by the Program Advisory Team
- Provide advice to FCSS Programs concerning the prevention and community capacity building
- Develop and deliver public presentations to municipalities and Metis settlement Programs, regional and Provincial Workshops and conferences on all / any aspects of the FCSS Program and processes
- Research and analyze program information (from annual program reports) to provide trend information for local and provincial strategic planning with respect to preventive social service strategies
- Develop and maintain an FCSS Program information database and undertake data analysis and reporting as required
- Update and maintain the FCSS Program Handbook and other provincial FCSS resources
- Gather population information from Municipal Affairs
- Apply funding formula to allocate appropriate funds for each municipality
- Prepare agreements for funding for over 200 FCSS programs and amending agreements
- Prepare grant approval listing for the Minister’s signature through the Director
- Obtain signature from municipal officials and submit for Minister's approval
- Prepare reconciliation statements to determine municipalities’ surplus/deficit to reconcile the FCSS grant payment
- Regularly meet with local FCSS Programs to review their financial accounting practices and records
- Interview municipal program Directors to ensure compliance to the FCSS Acts & Regulation
- Check Program financial ledgers for compliance with the Act and Regulation
- Annually review progress made toward program goals, report on performance measures and comment on the effectiveness of the Program Advisory Team
- Incorporate Program decisions and process changes into the FCSS Program Handbook
- Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of the Conditional Agreement Regulation, funding allocation model, and program review processes
- Participated in and supported sub-committees undertaking major initiatives directed by the PAT
- As a Reviewing and Approving Officer, review and approve Branch’s contracts and grants, and invoices through CMAS ensuring that requirements are met; review and approve purchase invoices and travel expense claims of staff and non-public servants
- Accomplishments
- Was able to save unit 10 million when trying to reduce budget without affecting stakeholders
- Developed for not-for-profits COVID funding criteria which was later used by the federal government
- Engaged with stakeholders to streamline their FCSS programs
- Developed and provided FCSS program reviews for delinquent programs
- Developed a new system and report to provide better, more accurate information internally while supporting more streamlined reporting for external stakeholders
Chair, Treasurer, Event Leader
United Way
07.2016 - Current
- Distribute products and event information to ambassadors in Human Services to be shared with all GOA employees within their assigned areas
- Diligently giving and receiving updates from Ambassadors to assure deadlines are met as well as proper procedures being followed
- Create tracking sheets for donation revenues, inventories, event involvement, tax receipts
- Share event information with fellow employees via emails, posters and take donations if the employee wants to participate in the event
- Accomplishments
- Voted employee campaign chair of the year 2021
- Lead all ministries for fund raising in consecutive years
- Re-organized the campaign process to optimize fundraising during COVID
- Initiating plans to stream line government of Alberta UW process to more beneficial for UW while enhancing supports for volunteer
- Planned and oversaw meetings in accordance with governing documents.
- Maintained impartiality and objectivity during meetings and decision-making.
- Planned recruitment and renewals of designated committees.
- Reconciled monthly statements, invoices and expense accounts, keeping records accurate, and current.
- Prepared and presented financial reports to inform senior management and board of directors.
Education
MBA - Administration
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB04.2023
Certified Managerial Accountant - Accounting
Chartered Professional Accountants
Edmonton, AB04.2015
Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting
MacEwan University
Edmonton, AB04.2013
Skills
- Strong interpersonal and advanced communication skills
- Advanced application of Microsoft Office
- Well-developed written and oral communication skills
- Extensive experience in human relations, negotiations, conflict resolution, time management, problem solving and decision-making
- Performed extensive research which was followed with application the work processes
- Provided several presentations to internal and external stakeholders
Timeline
Liaison Officer
Government of Alberta
04.2022 - Current
Chair, Treasurer, Event Leader
United Way
07.2016 - Current
Program and Financial Review Officer
Government of Alberta
05.2016 - 04.2022
MBA - Administration
University of Alberta
Certified Managerial Accountant - Accounting
Chartered Professional Accountants
Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting
MacEwan University
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