Project Officer - Oceanography

Apply now Job no:523755
Work type:part time
Location:Sydney, NSW
Categories:Project Management

• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

The School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) examines the natural environment,

including life, from the core of the Earth to its upper atmosphere, deep in time through to the present and modelling towards the future. Research within BEES is clustered within four general thematic areas: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Oceanography, Climate Science; Environmental Change, Sustainability and Resources; Paleoenvironments and Earth History.

The Project Officer plays a key role within the UNSW Faculty of Science, School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, Coastal and Regional Oceanography Lab (www.oceanography.unsw.edu.au) in providing practical and efficient project and executive support to the team leader as well as administrative support for group activities. This is a critical role to support the day-to-day running of a large and complex research group and to take responsibility for a range of special projects.

The role entails providing project coordination and support, reporting, financial and analytical support, developing communications, building key internal and external relationships, and providing administrative support for key programs and projects.

The team is a world leading oceanography group, responsible for research into ocean circulation and change using novel ocean observing and modelling tools and is one of the largest university research groups of its kind in Australia.

About the role

• $96K - $103K plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed term – 3 years
• Part time (14 hours)

The Project Officer reports to Prof Moninya Roughan within the School of Biological Earth and Environmental Science and has no direct reports.

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

• Proactively provide executive support and assistance, whilst exercising discretion, initiative and confidentiality at all times.
• Support the delivery of research projects and initiatives to achieve strategic goals.
• In consultation with Research Finance, assist the team leader with monitoring the budgets and expenditure and routine financial reporting for the various research programs.
• Support the development of project plans and schedules, then monitor, track and report on the status of project deliverables to ensure time, cost and quality metrics are in line with approved project plans for assigned projects.
• Provide practical and proactive project support, financial and administrative services to the research team and stakeholders and lead project reporting (e.g on publications, and research outcomes)
• Assess and monitor project risks and issues and provide solutions where applicable.
• Coordinate project administration including recruitment, coordination of workshops and meetings, minute taking, manage assigned actions and follow-ups and project status reporting.
• Develop and manage effective communications with key stakeholders, both internal and external to the project.
• Support adherence to UNSW governance pathways to ensure projects are managed within a defined, consistent, and proven set of rules for project development.
• Oversee effective office operations and provide superior executive support to the team leader and other senior staff if required, including confidential reception, diary/calendar and email management, coordination of meetings, management of travel arrangements and other support and activities as requested.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the UNSW Values in Action: Our Behaviours and the UNSW Code of Conduct
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself or others.

Selection Criteria

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Bachelor degree with at least five years’ subsequent work experience OR an equivalent level of knowledge gained through a combination of education, training and/or experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a high level of attention to detail for deliverables produced.
• High level organisational skills with proven ability to deal with multiple tasks, establish priorities and meet deadlines.
• Superior time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to respond to changing priorities, manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines by using judgement and initiative.
• Experience working with a range of computer systems and applications, including Microsoft365, Teams, project management, databasing and financial software.
• Proven experience in a similar role offering administrative support to senior executives and organisation-wide, ideally in a higher education (science) setting.
• Capacity to take responsibility for project budget oversight and to carry our routine financial processes.
• Experience maintaining databases and web content or willingness to learn with a keen attention to detail.
• Well-developed and effective interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders at various levels within a complex organisation.
• Demonstrated project management experience delivering projects within agreed timeframes and budget.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health and safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

For informal queries, please see the below contact details. 

Otherwise, please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent directly to the contact listed .

Contact:
Moninya Roughan
E: [email protected]

Applications close: April 21st, 2024

Find out more about working at UNSW at www.unsw.edu.au

UNSW aspires to be the exemplar Australian university and employer of choice for people from diverse backgrounds. UNSW aims to ensure equality in recruitment, development, retention and promotion of staff and that no-one is disadvantaged on the basis of their gender, cultural background, disability, sexual orientation or identity or Indigenous heritage. We encourage everyone who meets the selection criteria to apply.

UNSW partners with Australia’s leading diversity organisations, networks, and campaigns. Please refer to UNSW’s diversity offerings for further information on our flexible work and leave options, and support for carers (childcare, parent rooms, parental leave).

Advertised:28 Mar 2024 AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:21 Apr 2024 AUS Eastern Standard Time