Research Grants Officer

Classification & Regular Hours

Hours per Week: 35

Salary Grade 14: $65,050 - $76,550; commensurate with experience

About Western

With an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada's top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada's most beautiful campuses.

About Us

Western provides strategic and administrative support to foster a culture of research excellence that enhances Western University's profile on the global stage. The Research Services team is an integral part of the Research Western portfolio focusing on pre-award grants administration and post-award management of the numerous and complex sponsored research grants at Western University.

Responsibilities

The Research Grants Officer is a subject-matter expert who ensures that research funding applications submitted by researchers from all disciplines at Western conform to high submission standards, institutional and Sponsor policies and requirements in a complex, evolving, fast-paced and competitive research funding environment.

In the review of applications, the Research Grants Officer identifies and communicates to Faculty members any deviations from guiding principles, policies, procedures, and requirements of Western University and all global research funding Sponsors that have implications for Western’s institutional endorsement of an application. The Research Grants Officer provides well-researched advice to, and acts upon recommendations of, the Director (Research Services), the Vice President Research (VPR) and Associate Vice-Presidents Research (AVPR).

Qualifications

Education:

• Undergraduate Degree
• Master’s Degree is preferred

Experience:

• 3 years direct experience in reviewing and administering grant proposals and/or in an academic research environment with faculty, researchers and external industry partners
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office and database software and ability to adapt to new software systems
• Experience with university research administration policies and procedures
• 5 years of direct experience successfully administering grant applications and working with major government research programs in an academic research environment is preferred
• Direct involvement and experience reviewing and/or preparing grant proposals and complex budgets preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of best practices for reviewing and writing grant proposals; and of the Canadian peer-review granting systems, processes and procedures
• Demonstrated strong knowledge of research administration principles with good knowledge of research account activation requirements and/or processes
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of Agency and Sponsor agreements to ensure proper procedural guidelines and deadlines are met by faculty, students, staff and administration
• Ability to exercise appropriate judgement in the interpretation of sponsor award conditions and University policy
• Demonstrated ability to research and assess new avenues of funding from federal granting agencies, industry and other funding sources for compliance requirements and risk management oversight
• High-level budget administration skills with the ability to analyze and understand complex budgets
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills to translate information into easily understood terms, summarize information, and provide a rationale for action
• Team oriented, professional manner, tact, diplomacy and discretion in working with associates and colleagues including senior management
• Exceptional customer service skills to deliver reliable and timely advice to external clients in a demanding environment
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and organized with the proven ability to work independently and project manage workload in a fast-paced interruptive environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the proven ability to work collaboratively and professionally with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, and within cross-functional teams
• Demonstrated ability to understand, interpret, and effectively communicate complex guidelines, policies, and procedures to key stakeholders with well-developed public speaking skills
• Proven continuous quality improvement approach to evaluation and development of policies and programs
• Strong demonstration of good judgement, critical thinking, analytical and problem solving skills with a collaborative and consultative approach to addressing issues and opportunities
  

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.