VPRI Research Services Office

Competition No. -
S109249096D2


Posting Date -
Mar 03, 2023


Closing Date -
Mar 16, 2023




Position Type -
Full Time - Operating Funded


Salary Range -
$55,212 to $75,685 per year


Grade -
09


Hours -
35



This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA). This position has a term length of one year plus a day and offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits. Working for the University of Alberta The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, M\xc3\xa9tis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community. The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada\xe2\x80\x99s Greenest Employers for over a decade. Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people\xe2\x80\x94from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just. Department summary The Research Services Office (RSO) supports researchers and administrators by helping the U of A research community find, apply for, receive and manage research funding. RSO\'s goals are to enable leading-edge research at the University of Alberta by making our services easy to use and to reduce the amount of time it takes to process research awards. Our office of over 75 staff is part of the Office of the Vice President (Research and Innovation) portfolio. Staff is organized by the following five teams:

• Administration

• Contracts & Agreements

• Finance & Information Management

• Partnership & Institutional Projects

• Research Facilitation & Strategic Initiatives

Position summary Reporting to the Assistant Director of Contracts & Agreements, the Grants Administrator is responsible for the pre- and post-award processing of research awards, and grant and service agreements on behalf of the University. This position is also responsible for processing sub-grants and amendments to awards, and grant and service agreements. The incumbent will work collaboratively with Research Facilitators, Contract Specialists, Financial Analysts, and the Assistant Director to review awards and grant and service agreements to determine the financial, legal, and contractual implications and ensure any issues are appropriately addressed before signoff by the University of Alberta. It is critical that the incumbent is very knowledgeable of sponsor and University policies and procedures, is able to review and interpret policies and to apply these policies and procedures in the administration and processing of research awards and grant and service agreements. This position will liaise with external sponsors, central units, department/faculty administrators, and researchers. This position will also provide support and guidance to department administrators and researchers on all aspects related to research administration of awards and grant and service agreements. Responsibilities: A. Responsible for performing a broad range of awards and grant and service agreement-related activities supporting the end-to-end research administration requirements for RSO. Processes Research Awards and Grant and Service Agreements

• Reviews incoming documentation to assess whether request represents a new document, renewal, or amendment
• Reviews research applications and proposals for submission to sponsors to:
  • Ensure compliance with University research policies and procedures, including those respecting human ethics, animal care, and biohazards
  • Assess whether the university can comply with the sponsor terms and conditions
  • Confirm that proposed budgets are complete, accurate, and expenditures are eligible
  • Identify financial, legal, and contractual implications for the University
  • Ensure terms and conditions are acceptable to both parties
• Negotiates awards and grant and service agreements to ensure compliance with financial, legal, and contractual obligations. Works with sponsors to ensure terms and conditions are acceptable to both parties
• Negotiates amendments to awards and grant and service agreements to comply with University standards and requirements, ensuring amendments are consistent for all research related agreements
• Ensures all required sub-grants and sub-contracts are identified, negotiated, and completed, and the terms and conditions are consistent with the terms of the prime funding award
• Identifies and proposes innovative solutions in situations where sponsor and University rules and regulations continue to be redefined
• Collaborates with researchers and faculty-based research staff on innovative ways to address funding challenges presented by particular funding programs, liaising with appropriate University administrative units to solve research agreements and project management issues
• Liaises with sponsors on administration and project management issues relating to research awards and grant and service agreements
• Approves grant applications on behalf of the institution valued at up to and including $150,000 per year
• Approves agreements on behalf of the institution valued up to and including $25,000 per year
• Performs other duties as required

Information Management

• Ensures the integrity of data and the information management requirements related to awards and grant and service agreements are entered and managed appropriately in the RSO Grants Management database
• Ensures that all critical documents that define the terms and conditions of research agreements and awards are in place, such as:
  • scope of work
  • budget
  • University and sponsor signatures
  • certifications

B. Provides guidance, advice, and training to internal and external clients on issues related to administration of research awards and grant and service agreements

• Assists with development of RSO business processes and policies relating to project management and administration of research awards and grant and service agreements
• Consults and works collaboratively with other RSO staff, researchers, faculty/central administrators to resolve awards and grant and service agreements issues

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree required; a combination of post-secondary training and experience will be considered
• Minimum 3 years\' research administration work experience, preferably in a post-secondary environment
• Strong proficiency in Windows using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access), Google Apps, Internet and databases; training in PeopleSoft application and tools is desirable

The successful candidate will also demonstrate the following competencies:

• Excellent negotiating skills
• Ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong analytic and communication skills (listening, verbal, written)
• Skilled in multitasking and prioritizing multiple demands; keen attention to detail
• Strong time management and workflow skills and the ability to manage a high volume of files with conflicting priorities
• An understanding of the University\xe2\x80\x99s policies and procedures with respect to research administration is an asset
• A thorough understanding of the principles of service excellence and a demonstrated ability to deliver superior customer service to clients

How to Apply Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women; First Nations, M\xc3\xa9tis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.