Grant & Contract Administrator

Job Description:

Grant & Contract Administrator is a member of the Pre-Award team in the University's Office of Sponsored Projects.  The incumbent is expected to provide direct services to faculty, department managers and all members of the research community.  Responsibilities include reviewing and approving proposals, negotiating and accepting awards, issuing subawards under Brown prime agreements and participating in the implementation of an electronic grants management system. The Grant & Contract Administrator ensures compliance with research policies of both the University and its external sponsors. They are expected to address and resolve all issues that arise during the life of ongoing sponsored projects in a timely manner.

Review proposals to ensure compliance with University and funding agency policies, procedures and regulations.   Offers guidance to user community on the use of COEUS and other grants management systems.  Provide appropriate University response to RFP terms and conditions as necessary. Assist in the development and verify accuracy of budgets and proposal format submitted to external sponsors. Proposal volume is appropriately managed and prioritized. Review comments are shared with Principal Investigators (PIs) and Departmental Research Administrators on a timely basis. Sponsor deadlines are met. Faculty and staff indicate satisfaction with services provided. Sponsors accept administrative aspects of proposals without revision or correction. Budgets are appropriate for work proposed and include all appropriate costs necessary for completion of the effort.

Negotiate contracts and grant agreements with external sponsors, enters data to grants management system negotiators module.  Keeps Principal Investigators, faculty, department managers, deans, Associate VP for Research, Vice President for Research, Office of Research Integrity, Brown Technology Innovations, Office of the General Counsel, Strategic Purchasing, Contracts, and Insurance Office, and other University officials apprised as necessary and applicable.  Negotiations will frequently involve multi-party Collaboration and Consortia Agreements.  Negotiations are concluded within a reasonable time frame and terms are acceptable and appropriate for the activity within the University environment.

Negotiate prime agreements and prepare and issue subcontract agreements consistent with appropriate prime sponsor terms and conditions and level of risk assessed. Review, interpret and disseminate regulations, agreement terms and conditions and University policies as necessary and appropriate for sponsored activities.  Advise faculty, researchers and staff on issues of compliance.  Perform rebudgeting and expanded authority request reviews, and address all issues that arise during project period.  Regularly follow-up on continuation funding, pending award modifications, at-risk advance accounts and open negotiations.  Design, develop, participate and lead outreach and training activities for the campus community of research administrators. Independent management of all aspects related to individual departmental portfolio. No audit or agency disallowances. Faculty and staff are provided with correct and consistent advice. Training is provided to the Brown community on research administration matters.

Education and Experience

• BS/BA required; 3 to 5 years of research administration experience including negotiation of sponsored research agreements or equivalent education and experience. Experience in research-intensive university or academic medical center is preferred. Experience participating in a grants system implementation is a plus.
• This position requires a candidate who exhibits an engaged and responsible attitude and possesses the ability to work effectively with both faculty and staff members. Key skills of successful candidate will include analytical, critical thinking, planning and organizing, attention to detail and accuracy, excellent follow-through and ability to anticipate needs of the research community including external sponsors. 
• Knowledge of Grants.gov, NIH eCommons, NSF FastLane, Research.gov, NASA NSPIRES, Proposal Central and other common eRA portals is expected.  Knowledge of COEUS or other electronic grants management systems is strongly preferred. Proficiency in MS Word, Excel and Adobe Acrobat required.
• Understanding of âœUniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 CFR 200,  Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)❠and content, as well as  federal and non-federal  pre- and post- award guidelines.  Familiarity with subrecipient compliance issues including all aspects of subrecipient monitoring as well as international research requirements, cost-sharing, effort reporting, conflict of interest, salary cap. Knowledge of Export Control Regulations and matters including Conflict of Interest in research, the IACUC and IRB process.
• Awareness of academic research policies related to federal and non-federal grants and contracts is expected as is ability to review accurately, in detail, grant, contract and all other documents related to research, written procedures and correspondence.
• Ability to work well with faculty, department managers and administrators, deans, external agency officials and colleagues within Office of the Vice President for Research. Capacity for high caliber delivery of customer service. Candidate must be self-directed with the ability to prioritize responsibilities and meet multiple deadlines.  Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking, presentation and training.  High level of attention to detail and ability to successfully multi-task is required. 
• The candidate must possess a willingness and ability to support a diverse and inclusive environment.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a criminal background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown University.

In order to maintain 90% or greater universal vaccination rates on campus, all newly hired employees at Brown University must receive the final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before they begin work, unless they are approved for a medical or religious exemption. For more information, please visit the Healthy Brown site.  

Recruiting Start Date:

2021-08-09-07:00

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Worker Sub-Type:

Regular

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Submission Guidelines:

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact [email protected] .

EEO Statement:

Brown University is an E-Verify Employer.

Brown University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic global community; as an EEO/AA employer, Brown considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, race, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.