Read also the article of professor Ignace Glorieux: Life in a time with no fixed times.
During the coronavirus crisis, there are plenty of smart professionals at VUB. But working at VUB is now mainly working for VUB but from home. What’s the reality of the switch from workplace to homeworking? How do we deal with the blurring of boundaries between work and life?
Recognise these situations? We asked our VUB colleagues how they are getting on with the new reality of homeworking. With an eye on best practice, they shared their surprising tips and tricks. Click here to find all their stories.
Nathalie N'Doye
Nathalie N’Doye works as a project manager in VUB’s finance department. She ensures that the flow of money from externally funded research projects reaches the academic promoters correctly and on time. In particular, she monitors projects that receive financial support from Innoviris, the Brussels-Capital Region’s institute for promoting scientific research and innovation. Nathalie is the link between the VUB research promoters on the one hand and Innoviris on the other, and takes care of the financial validation and reporting of the research projects.
Her homeworking base? Nathalie lives with her five-strong family in Grimbergen, in the green belt around Brussels. Her sons, Monji (21), Senda (15) and Seni (nine), are also at home and alternate indoor and outdoor activities. They are independent, healthy athletes who enjoy playing football and basketball. Financial reporting requires concentration and so Nathalie works undisturbed at her desk in a closed-off area near the living room.
Continue the story below the picture.
Ensuring a healthy flow of money and projects
Though she’s at home, Nathalie continues providing the services she would otherwise work on from the Braem building on the VUB campus in Etterbeek. The added value of her job is bringing together, checking and validating information in various financial and management systems.
Nathalie: “For the flow of project management I use the information stored in RACS, PURE and EASYPAY. For each project, I connect different information and figures and then put them together in a financial report according to calibrated accounting procedures and contractual requirements.”
Monitoring projects in close contact with partners
Via email and Skype, Nathalie has regular contact with Innoviris and the academic promoters of the research projects. The agreements concerning reporting are stored in the project contract in PURE, one of the R&D department’s management systems. The rhythm of financial reporting varies according to the project and can take place every four, six, eight or 12 months, or every two years.
With fresh financial flows we can ensure the continuity of research projects, pay project staff and reimburse expenses.
Nathalie: “Correct and timely reporting is crucial in order to release a subsequent claim from Innoviris. With fresh financial flows we can ensure the continuity of research projects, pay project staff and reimburse expenses. The aim is to keep the flow of the research project under control, which is no easy task in this atypical period with suspended foreign trips, declined expenses and blocked foreign project participations.”
Nathalie’s work ensures that research projects that are temporarily at a standstill because of the coronavirus measures have a chance of being extended. In some projects, laboratory research, with or without foreign participation, plays a key role. This is now often reduced or even on hold. That’s why it is important to be able to extend this project with Innoviris financially and administratively.
Nathalie’s reflections
- Stay in regular professional contact
“We have to get through this together, and in the best way possible. I’m used to working as a team, including with my internal clients. I keep up that contact today – it’s feasible via email or Skype.”
- Stay calm and keep going
“It is inherent to my job to follow a good basic structure and to continue working in this way. There are other challenges here and there and it’s important to be able to give professional feedback immediately.”
- Keep fit physically, mentally and financially
“This is a time of unexpected obstacles. It’s important to keep calm and keep moving, while being attentive to the new needs of the situation. We also need to keep an eye on changing income and expenses on a personal level.”
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JOIN IN the VUB research. The research group TOR at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the research bureau hbits are investigating the social consequences of the coronavirus crisis. We’re working in a different way, schools and most shops are closed and public life has ground to a halt. What are the consequences of this for your daily life? Take part in the research and tell us how your daily life has changed via www.dagelijksleven.eu