Financial Associate I (Grants and Finance Associate)

18-Nov-2022

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

59919BR

Job Summary

The Department of Epidemiology (Epi), at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, studies the frequency, distribution, and determinants of disease in humans, a fundamental science of public health. In addition to pursuing ground-breaking global research initiatives, we educate and prepare future medical leaders and practitioners as part of our mission to ignite positive changes in the quality of health across the world.  Within Epi, The Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study (PHACS) network conducts several longitudinal cohort studies investigating the long-term effects of exposure to HIV and ARV (antiretroviral) medications in infants, children, adolescents, and young adults who were born to mothers living with HIV.

Position Description

PHACS seeks a Grants and Financial Associate to support the fiscal and compliance infrastructure of this complex NIH funded Program Project.  Reporting to the Assistant Director of Finance, they will provide administrative and financial support for all ten components of the P01 research project. As a critical part of the PHACS financial team, the Grants and Financial Associate will contribute to the all financial/grant business functions of the award, with a focus on routine grants management and budget tracking. The Grants and Financial Associate will:

• Create and update complex financial reports that require decision making and interpretation of data. They will manage procedures for tracking and reporting of expenses. They will interpret and administer University guidelines and sponsored research regulations.
• Monitor department/school financial reports such as the post award metrics.  In GMAS (Grants Management Application Suite), they will manage the account allocations, research team, foreign travel declarations & monitor transactions. 
• Manage effort adjustments and reporting.

• Assisting with the annual Research Program Progress Report (RPPR), including other support, NIH participants section, and performance locations.
• They may also assist with PHACS related supplement preparation, as needed.

• Prepare monthly “budget to actual” reports. The reports will be broken down by the P01 components of PHACS.  The financial associate will join monthly calls to share the 8-10 separate reports that represent financial status of each PHACS Core/Project
• Lead tracking of overall cost tracking of supplement research projects that span across multiple years
• Assist with cost estimating for new supplement projects
• Adjust budget projections for each component based on input from PI and Financial Assistant Director
• Monitor effort for the PHACS accounts and input any effort data changes into the system
• Manage effort certification in eCRT (Electronic Certification of Effort and Reporting Tool) quarterly
• Perform reconciliation of budgets/accounts on a regular basis
• Execute necessary journals/cost transfers. May work on reimbursements, corporate card reports and complex purchase orders
• Assist with post-award subaward and subaward amendment creation which may include reviewing subaward applications, requesting Subaward initiation from Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA), prepare summary budgets (based on full submitted budgets), and recording full Subaward back-up documentation
• Assist with subaward management and tracking of documents and budgets
• Respond to department/school reports such as post-award metrics and subrecipient monitoring (with input)
• Perform account maintenance in GMAS
• Coordinates Other Support and Biosketch documents for PHACS Research Scientists in Epi Department.
• Oversees non-budget grants management aspects of RPPR (other support, performance sites, etc.)
• Works collaboratively with PHACS financial team and updates supervisor as needed

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of related experience required; a combination of work experience and education may be considered

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The following job-specific skills and competencies are preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business or finance
• Experience in an academic, hospital, research or related environment
• Knowledge of accounting and budget systems, such as GMAS, Oracle Financial Systems, B2P, and Concur a plus
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, advanced Excel skills
• Working knowledge of financial principles budgeting, financial analysis   
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skill
• Experience being flexible and taking initiatives
• Experience working well independently, and in a team environment
• Experience handling complex and confidential information with discretion
• Experience learning new computer systems/applications

• Awareness of and aptitude to appropriately and effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based difference within group environments
• Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, and personal humility and authenticity

Additional Information

Harvard University offers an outstanding benefits package including:

• Time Off: 3-4 weeks paid vacation, paid holiday break, 12 paid sick days, 12+ paid holidays, and 3 paid personal days per year.
• Medical/Dental/Vision: Excellent and affordable medical, dental & vision plans, with coverage beginning as of an employee's start date.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance & Reimbursement Programs: $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School, discounted options through participating Harvard graduate schools, and reimbursement options for accredited schools outside of Harvard.
• Transportation: 50% discount on MBTA passes, as well as additional options (rideshare, biking, etc.) to assist employees in their daily commute.
• Wellness & Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, hard & soft skills development, career planning, massages, nutrition, meditation, and complimentary health services. Additionally, access to Harvard athletic facilities, libraries, campus events -- and many discounts for various cultural and leisure activities throughout metro Boston.

• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
• This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. The O&R period will be waived for any internal Harvard employee transfers.  

Location

USA - MA - Boston

Job Code

400110 Financial Associate I

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Pre-Employment Screening

Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, we believe that diversity is integral to the Harvard experience and our mission of improving public health education, research and policy. Diversity of cultural backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world enriches our community and enables us to best meet the public health needs of the United States and the world. Ongoing learning and development related to diversity allows for both individual and institutional growth, and is necessary to foster and sustain a culture of inclusion. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for learning, living, and working at the Harvard Chan School. We maintain an unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusion, and belonging as core to our institutional values and to actively counter, minimize, and address racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, gender bias, and all forms of discrimination.

Learn more about the School’s mission, objectives, and core values and our diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.