Contracts Officer

18177BR

Research & Innovation Services

Managerial, Professional and Specialist Staff – MPSS

Advert

Contracts Officer
Research & Innovation Services

The department of Research and Innovation Services (RIS) is looking to appoint an enthusiastic, experienced and motivated professional to the position of Contracts Officer to undertake a range of contractual work to support the University’s research operations.

The post holder will work in partnership with academic and professional services colleagues across the University and with external parties to develop high quality and pragmatic contractual arrangements which protect the University’s interests as an academic and charitable organisation and support its excellent research.

The post holder will be responsible for drafting, negotiating, completing and advising on a range of research and research related contracts which may include funding agreements, collaboration agreements, EU agreements, framework agreements, clinical trial agreements, studentship agreements, data sharing/processing agreement (UK and international), material transfer agreements and non-disclosure agreements
of varying complexity. 

The post holder will be required to demonstrate a high degree of self-management and strong organisational skills with aptitude for prioritising and working to deadlines; excellent verbal and written communication skills; pragmatism and diplomacy; IT proficiency particularly in the use of Microsoft packages.

RIS operates a hybrid working policy, with onsite working based at McKenzie House, Newport Road.

This position is full time and open ended.  Grade 6 - £39,347 - £44,263.

Please note that as part of the application process you will be asked to provide a supporting statement to evidence the criteria set out in the ‘Person Specification’.  Your application will be considered based on the information you provide under each element – see further details below.

Date Advertised: 21 February 2024
Closing date: 15 March 2024.

Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received. 

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Job Description

To support Cardiff University research by working in partnership with its academic community to engage with research funders, sponsors and collaborators. The post holder will provide contracts support through the drafting, review, negotiation and completion of a range of research and research related contracts. Such contracts may include, for example, funding agreements, collaboration agreements, EU agreements, framework agreements, clinical trial agreements, studentship agreements, data sharing/processing agreement (UK and international), material transfer agreements and non-disclosure agreements.

In providing research contracts support, the post holder will ensure that both the researchers’ and University’s interests are appropriately recognised and protected.

Key Duties

• To review, draft, negotiate and complete research and research related contracts with a wide range of external organisations; ensuring that the interests of the University and its researchers are protected by agreeing terms which further the University's research, charitable and academic interests and meet its regulatory responsibilities (both internal and external). 
• Provide professional advice and guidance on the contracts required to enable the commencement and delivery of Cardiff University research projects and on the implementation of those contracts.
• Competently review and risk assess new instructions to identify the action required and progress efficiently. This may include appropriate selection and use of template agreements or escalation of matters to more senior colleagues.
• To independently prioritise workload, manage time and use available resources effectively to progress an individual work portfolio which will be varied and deadline driven. 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communications with key contacts within the University’s academic and professional services teams and with external third parties to effect the delivery of a professional research contracts service.
• Ensure that research contracts are drafted pragmatically to facilitate good relations between the University’s academic community and research collaborators, whilst assessing and managing inherent risks.
• Develop and deliver training and/or guidance on contractual issues pertinent to research contracts.
• Develop or assist in the development of model agreements and clauses for research and research related contracts. 
• Undertake a variety of administrative duties as required to enable effective research contract management.
• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in respect of equality and diversity, data protection, state aid/UK Subsidy Control, copyright and licensing, security, financial and other University policies, procedures and codes as appropriate.

General Duties

• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
• Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity.
• Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Important note:
It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. 

As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.  Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined below. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide under each element.

When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, e.g. Supporting Statement for [18177BR].

Essential Criteria

Honours degree in law or equivalent.

 A comprehensive understanding of the principles of contract law and key contract topics (e.g. performance, confidentiality, warranties, liability and indemnity, governing law and jurisdiction) with evidence shown.

Relevant experience of advising internal and external customers on contractual and/or intellectual property matters and ability to demonstrate professional knowledge within this specialist discipline. 

Evidenced ability to draft, negotiate and advise on contracts.

Excellent organisational skills with ability to self-manage, independently prioritise workload and meet deadlines.

 Proficient in use of Microsoft 365 packages.

 Excellent written and oral communication skills with strength in communicating detailed and complex information clearly, concisely and in a professional manner to a wide range of people including academic, corporate, professional services and other third party representatives.

Proven ability to explore and assess customer/client needs and to respond appropriately and helpfully to support efficient and effective service delivery.

Evidence of ability to solve expansive problems using initiative and creativity to identify and propose practical and appropriate solutions.

Enthusiasm for continuous professional development and self-directed learning and evidenced ability to translate theoretical knowledge into day to day working practice.

Desirable Criteria  

Good understanding of some or all of the following: intellectual property law and practice, data protection/privacy laws, UK export control laws, UK Subsidy Control laws

Some working knowledge of clinical trial regulations and UK Policy for Health and Social Care Research.

Commercial contracts experience.

Experience of working in a university or other research institution / environment.

Project management experience or experience of providing contracts support for large projects. 

Fluency in Welsh, written and oral.

Additional Information

Research and Innovation Services

Cardiff is an ambitious and innovative university located in a beautiful and thriving capital city. Our world-leading research was ranked 5th for quality amongst UK universities in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework and we provide an educationally outstanding experience for our 30,000 students. With an annual budget in excess of £500 million and around 6,000 staff, Cardiff is a member of the Russell Group of the 24 leading UK research-intensive universities. The University has 24 academic schools grouped into three colleges: Biomedical & Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering and Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences.

The University’s ambition is to rank consistently among the top 100 universities in the world. Cardiff is also developing its Innovation System through a focused programme of investment in people and infrastructure.  Research funding secured from competitive, external sources exceeds £100 million annually and the University aims to grow this further through winning grants from a wide range of national and global sources.

Research and Innovation Services, RIS supports the University’s research community in initiating and delivering research and innovation activities. Led by the Acting Director, Dr Amanda Roberts-Jones, RIS provides services via over 100 expert staff organised in five specialist teams: Research Grants Office; Research Integrity, Governance and Ethics; Research Development; Research Commercialisation and Impact; and Business Engagement and Partnerships. The Department works closely with academic and professional services staff from all areas of the institution.

Job Category

Business / Strategic Management