RIS-052-24 - Contracts and Assurance Officer

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Contracts and Assurance
Location:  Canterbury
Salary:  £30,487 to £33,966 per annum pro rata
Grade:  Grade 6
Post Type:  Part Time
Hours per Week:  24.5
Contract Type: Permanent
Release Date:  Friday 01 March 2024
Closing Date:  23.59 hours GMT on Sunday 17 March 2024  (unless otherwise stated)
Reference:  RIS-052-24

Are you a highly organised individual who can manage their workload to meet conflicting priorities and meet challenging deadlines? Do you have experience working on contractual arrangements, in the Higher Education sector? 

If so, this role as Contracts and Assurance Officer may be ideal. 

The Contracts and Assurance Officer will be responsible for supporting due diligence and risk assessments for research and innovation projects for the University, ensuring that they protect the interests of the University, the Divisions and the individuals involved. 

In addition, guided by the Research and Innovation Support manager, the role holder will be responsible for reviewing, drafting and negotiation of research and innovation projects, contracting with a wide range of funders, commercial entities and charities.

As a Contracts and Assurance Officer your duties will include:

• Supporting academics to understand contractual requirements and ensuring that all parties involved are communicated with effectively, adhering to University guidelines
• Guide a portfolio of contracts and agreements through all required stages of the process. To undertake due diligence checks on new and existing research partners and establish suitable risk treatment methods as appropriate 
• Take a proactive approach to the implementation of policy, strategy, quality assurance processes and data handling, ensuring all procedures and legal requirements are met by every team-member 
• Responsible for ensuring all information held in files, whether online or physically, is accurate, up to date and includes all the necessary records to meet audit and other legal or policy requirements 
• Liaising in a professional manner with internal and external stakeholders, as well as all members of staff

The successful candidate will have/be:

• Educated to A level or equivalent 
• An understanding/appreciation of the HE sector and the key challenges facing research and innovation in a HE environment
• An understanding/awareness of the research and innovation landscape and the rules and regulations of a wide variety of funders
• Negotiation skills and the ability to work as an effective part of the team, managing your own commitments

What can we offer you?

• a friendly, open and collaborative working environment
• support in your development and wellbeing 
• hybrid working options allowing a flexible blend of office and home working (to be agreed in line with business needs)
• 43 days' leave per year (personal leave, bank holidays and additional days allocated for the Christmas period, pro rata for part-time staff)
• an excellent pension scheme with generous employer contributions
• study while you work discounts, cycle to work scheme, local business discounts
• on site parking

Please see the links below to view the full job description and to apply for this post. If you require further information regarding the application process, please contact [email protected] quoting ref number: RIS-052-24

Please note that we prioritise applications from current University of Kent redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward.

Applications must be made via the University’s online application system; CVs or details sent directly to the department or via email cannot be considered.

The University of Kent values diversity and promotes equality at all levels.