Job Description

Research Officer

Research Acceleration & Strategic Initiatives (RASI) supports the university research community in the incubation and development of research grants, infrastructure projects and initiatives. A key goal of the office is to provide researchers and the university with services and programs that afford a competitive edge when applying for external research funding.

Primary Purpose: To work with and assist the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Specialists with the pre and post award activities of infrastructure projects, such as those funded through the CFI, and similar granting programs in which significant post-award management and reporting are required. Reporting to the Associate Director of Research Acceleration and Strategic Initiatives (RASI), this position provides project support to the research community focusing on coordination and financial administration of successful grants in order to facilitate the objectives of the research activity, minimize administrative complexity, alleviate stress on the researchers, and facilitate reporting to granting agencies. These activities minimize risk to researchers and to the University.

There is a significant financial and accounting component to this role. The person holding this position ensures the effective oversight and facilitation of grants and awards finalization and post award activity with external partners, assessing potential risks, monitoring timelines and ensuring that all relevant parties are informed. Through ongoing monitoring of deliverables, potential bottlenecks and roadblocks are identified and appropriate actions formulated in consultation with grant holders and implemented for resolution.

This individual works with Research Specialists and Research Facilitators, Financial Services, Infrastructure, Planning and Land Development, Enterprise Project Management Office, Procurement, U of S Colleges, Schools and Centres, as well as external Institutions as appropriate, to oversee project and risk management processes. Approximately 90% of this position is team focused and financially orientated.

Nature of Work: Sound judgment and strict attention to detail, especially related to policies and regulatory requirements, are crucial. This Research Officer is required to manage multiple tasks, details, deadlines and priorities in an environment where interruptions and competing priorities are the norm. The ability to respond effectively to a diversity of people and units using appropriate communication skills to collaborate and problem solve is required. The position is of moderate complexity; impact of error is high. This person makes independent decisions on routine matters and consult with a supervisor where appropriate on more complex issues.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

• Administer and facilitate CFI processes including: participation in meetings (including committee and post-award meetings as well as funder site-visits), participating in applications review, confirming project costs and available funding, working closely with Research Accounting and with Procurement and Connection Point to manage purchasing and payments, conducting budget management and variance analyses, completing database entries, journals and accruals.
• Provide oversight and daily task execution to ensure that project management best practices are implemented.
• Assist with project budgets and provide advice and information to project leaders of newly funded projects regarding timelines, funder guidelines and reporting requirements, applicable university policies, and other critical elements of implementation for successful grantees.
• Provide accurate, timely and complete financial information to stakeholders, including preparation of monthly reconciliations, annual and final reports to grant bodies.
• Work closely with project leaders to ensure timely procurement of infrastructure for all CFI and research infrastructure projects in portfolio, including: assisting with acquiring quotes, verifying eligibility within project constraints and funder guidelines, verifying availability of funding, reviewing and reconciling contracts and purchase orders and receiving, and tracking purchases.
• Provide financial oversight to projects, ensuring these are administered according to internal and external guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, university policies, and/or codes of practice where appropriate, e.g. research ethical approval, research governance approval, financial and purchasing policies, controlled goods legislation, etc.
• Monitor changes to the CFI and other relevant funder programs to safeguard university compliance.
• Facilitate resolution of issues related to the project processes by strengthening and identifying relationships with stakeholders in order to obtain support for the required solution.
• Manage exposure of the university to risks of liability and reputation associated with the construction of new research facilities, involving such challenges as multiple partners, international connections, and field exploration.
• Develop and maintain collaborative professional working relationships with project leaders, stakeholders, and university departments.
• Provide accurate information on terms of reference and allowable uses for funds when requested and as needed.
• Manage and maintain records for tracking research projects using university standard methods (e.g. Banner, FAST, UnivRS, other database, hard copy), providing management information and ensuring a clear audit trail.
• Oversee the authorization, creation, and closure of all CFI (and related) funds and manage issues arising during the course of awards.
• Assist with the development, coordination, and delivery of educational and training materials to researchers and their teams regarding leading practices in the implementation of CFI projects at the university.
• Identify issues that may impact CFI success for the university and provide recommendations to related committees.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education: Bachelor\'s degree required, or professional business/accounting qualification with preference for those having earned an undergraduate business degree supplemented by budgeting or financial reporting experience. Formal training in project management and/or accounting principles is an asset. An appropriate combination of formal training and experience may be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 3 years of experience in a university, or research or other grant administration setting is required. A strong working knowledge of accounting principles and procedures, as well as previous experience with a large complex on-line accounting system is essential. A demonstrated ability and experience successfully coordinating projects is required; knowledge of project management principles and practices; demonstrated ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and sound judgments; capable of compiling information and designing and preparing reports; Experience with MS Office, including MS Outlook at the advanced level and MS Project, and with database applications is highly desirable. Knowledge of University of Saskatchewan policies and procedures is a valuable asset.

Skills: Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as in a team environment; strong accountancy and numerical skills, strong critical thinking and analytical skills; unwavering attention to detail; effective decision making skills; proven effective organizational skills; Excellent communication, consultative, listening, presentation, and interpersonal skills; exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with a culturally diverse community; ability to exercise sound judgment, tact, diplomacy and confidentiality; proven ability to deliver proactive, user-oriented services; and a high standard of professional integrity in handling confidential information.

Experience within both a university and a business environment is preferred with demonstrated ability to develop and implement project management plans to meet project objectives; skill in developing policy and procedure documentation, ability to develop and maintain recordkeeping systems and procedures. Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range goals and collaborate with team members to resolve issues in an effective and timely manner.

Department: Research Acceleration and Strategic Initiatives
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: ASPA
Shift: 22.5 hours/week Schedule of work will be discussed with supervisor. 3 days x 7.5hours/ week.
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 0.6
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $49,301.00 - 77,033.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 1
Posted Date: 3/27/2023
Closing Date: 4/16/2023 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask\'s Alternative Workspace Guidelines

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where \'Yes\' is indicated below. Further information is available at:

Criminal Record Check: Not Applicable
Driver\'s License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable

Please review the University of Saskatchewan\'s for faculty, staff and students in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan\'s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the M\xc3\xa9tis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and M\xc3\xa9tis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.

University of Saskatchewan