Date: |
August, 2016 |
Reports to (Job Title): |
Associate Director, Funding Agencies & Non-profit Sponsors (FANS) |
Jobs Reporting (Job Titles): |
None |
Department: |
Office of Research |
Location: |
Main Campus |
Grade: |
USG 10
35 hr/wk
|
Primary Purpose
This position is responsible for the review, assessment, submission of applications and the administration of grants and agreements. The incumbent also has administrative responsibility for personnel awards at the faculty / postdoctoral / graduate / undergraduate level where required by the funding agencies. Execution of responsibilities associated with the position requires regular interaction with faculty members preparing applications for research funding, and with funding agency personnel. It requires an in-depth understanding of funding agency policies and guidelines, reviewing and editing of grant and contract applications for clarity and impact, assurance of compliance with federal regulations and funding agency policies and guidelines, and administrative monitoring of awards for an assigned sponsor portfolio.
Key Accountabilities:
1. |
Help faculty identify appropriate funding sources:
- Identify and have disseminated to faculty research funding opportunities
- Meet with faculty to provide advice on eligibility and develop strategic plan for research funding.
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2. |
Provide grant writing and application support to faculty:
- Provide outreach to faculty (workshops, emails, templates) for key sponsors and programs
- Review applications for compliance with sponsor and university policy and guidelines
- Review for impact, readability, budget and completeness
- Proof-read
- Provide sponsor-specific expertise
- Ensure and facilitate proper institutional approvals for application process. Note that incumbent will have designated signing authority on application per Procedure 10
- Assist with review of applications in other sponsor portfolios, as assigned
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3. |
Manage Post-award activities:
- Negotiate funding agreements with sponsors as necessary, ensuring terms for IP, indemnity, insurance, confidentiality, financial obligations, etc., meet with university policies and procedures and minimize institutional risk
- When proper documentation is in place, order research accounts and release to faculty
- Ensure faculty member is compliant with research regulations (e.g., TCPS2, CCAC; biohazard restrictions, etc.)
- Manage other post-award activities, such as amendments, inter-institutional funding agreements for sub-grants, material transfer agreements, non-disclosure agreements, contractual obligations, as necessary
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4. |
Execute or arrange execution of agreements:
- Incumbent has delegated signing authority per Procedure 1A.
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5. |
Maintain records of research funding related activities using the Office of Research database and workflow system, ensuring records are up-to-date with complete and accurate data, and include all relevant documentation to meet accountability, procedural and policy requirements.
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6. |
Manage internal competitions, where required by sponsor (e.g. quota system for applications) or where instituted by the university (e.g. Research incentive program) in a consistent and transparent fashion
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7. |
Undertake special projects as assigned by the Associate Director, FANS, or Vice-President, University Research or the Associate Vice-President, University Research. |
Position Requirements
Education:
Master’s degree or equivalent experience, preferably in a field relevant to the assigned sponsor portfolio
Experience:
- 2+ years relevant experience in research grant administration
- Demonstrated ability to edit and review grant proposals and budgets
- Knowledge of tri-agency programs and policies, pre- and post-award
- Familiarity with foundation, not-for-profit funding and training programs
- Proven ability to negotiate research contracts and agreements with suitable risk management
- Familiarity with the research environment, preferably academic, is necessary
Skills:
- Strong project- and time-management, attention-to-detail, and problem-solving skills
- Ability and confidence to communicate effectively with researchers from a variety of disciplines within all six faculties, as well as with staff, students, administrators from other institutions, and sponsors
- Have or be able to obtain knowledge of the academic environment and research-related policies, procedures and general practices
- Ability to work with confidential information
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and the capacity to work effectively and efficiently in a complex, fast-paced and changing environment with numerous deadlines and priorities is essential.
- Strong analytical skills, accurate data interpretation and the ability to integrate report data from various sources.
Technical:
MS Word |
Excel |
PowerPoint |
Other |
expert |
expert |
expert |
InfoEd; Sponsor application software; Adobe Pro |
Nature and Scope
Interpersonal Skills:
- Reports to Associate Director, Funding Agencies & Non-profit Sponsors
- Interacts with Office of Research personnel: Vice-President, University Research; Associate Vice-President, University Research; Associate Vice-President, External Research; Director, Research Ethics; Director, Institutional Programs; Director, Senior Manager, and Manager, Research Finance; Finance Compliance Team; Lawyer; other OR Staff;
- Interacts with Deans; Associate Deans, Research; personnel in Graduate Studies Office; Safety Officer; Procurement Officer; Insurance Analyst; Data Security Officer; personnel in the Office of Development; and faculty and department administrators.
- Supports, advises, guides, and provides feedback to faculty members, with regard to research proposals and contracts
- External Interactions: Liaises and negotiates with sponsor representatives, as well as other collaborating institutions, both leaders and administrators
Level of Responsibility:
- Ensure applications and awards comply with university and sponsor policies and procedures, as well as legal requirements
- Negotiation of research agreements with sponsors and other institutions
- Statistics: in 2010-11 $54.5 M out of $189.6 M UW research dollars fell within FANS area (29%). Activity by applications indicates FANS team handles 40% of all applications.
Decision-Making Authority:
- Signing authority on proposals as delegated in Procedure 10
- Signing authority on research agreements as delegated in Procedure 1A
- Signing authority on material transfer, data transfer, non-disclosure agreements
- Activation of research accounts, Interim Research Accounts
- SOPs related to FANS activities
Physical and Sensory Demands:
This role entails physical effort which may result in moderate fatigue, strain or injury, as a substantial amount of time is spent sitting at a keyboard doing repetitive keyboard/mouse movement. Sensory demands are high as concentration and attentiveness to detail are imperative. The environment yields many distractions with phone, e-mail and constant interruptions. Peak times escalate both sensory and physical demands.
Working Environment:
- This role involves minimal risk resulting from contact with hazardous chemicals or environmental elements.
- Psychological risk factors are possible from stress and/or interactions with faculty for whom research is a personal and life-time commitment, and who may be demanding or emotional at times.
- This role involves irregular and, at times, high volumes of applications/grants/agreements with multiple tight deadlines. Work outside of regular hours is required during major grant competitions and year end.