Grants and Contracts Analyst, Pre-Award Services

Overview

Date: April 2019

Title: Grants and Contracts Analyst, Pre-Award Services

Department: Office of Research Administration, Pre Award Services

School/Management Center: University General

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Grants and Contracts Analyst for pre-award services functions with minimal oversight in a professional capacity for Case Western Reserve University in the Office of Sponsored Projects Administration. Duties include the coordination of grants and contracts from the proposal preparation stage through submission and award. This includes proposal/contract review, negotiations of subcontracts and awards, and the establishment of accounts. The analyst functions independently to analyze problems and devises and implements solutions, in accordance with appropriate policies and procedures. The Grants and Contracts Analyst is responsible for using independent judgement to carry out the essential functions described below including preparing sub agreements for execution and ensuring that contractual terms and federal regulations are acceptable and implementable within university financial and compliance systems. The work of the Grants and Contract Analyst is reflected in reports to the Board of Trustees, the Internal Revenue Service, and the ranking of the university by research expenditures. Work of the two Grants and Contracts Analysts in the Office of Research Administration impacts all awards outside of the School of Medicine, a total profile of over $100 million per year, regardless of award size.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Review terms, conditions and budgets of each Notice of Award received from sponsors. Ensure compliance with rules and regulations. Interpret contractual language into university financial and compliance systems on behalf of the university. Troubleshoot problems by contacting the department, principal investigator, or management center. Resolve questions where sponsors question the university handling of contractual matters. Establish appropriate accounts which involves understanding complex budgets, terms and conditions, university's policies and federal requirements. (25%)
2. Interpret contractual language into university financial and compliance systems on behalf of the university. Establish and maintain sponsored project accounts in PeopleSoft Financial system ensuring that all university policies and sponsor requirements are met. Troubleshoot problems that department staff and others have in establishing sponsored project accounts. Train department staff in creating accounts in PeopleSoft. (15%)
3. Provide expertise and guidance to principal investigators and department administrators on policy guidelines for sub contracts, and related budgetary, personnel and expenditure control activities. Facilitate individual agreements by securing necessary institutional information for each sub-recipient. Review subcontracts for a variety of legal and policy issues, including financial arrangements. Interpret levels of sub awardee risk and propose solutions to mitigate contractual risks. Negotiate acceptable alternatives to contract terms within parameters. Oversee the terms and conditions of the prime awards and ensure that proper flow-down occurs. Prepare and issue sub-award agreements to collaborating institutions. Prepare amendments to agreements. Resolve questions where sponsors question the university handling of contractual matters related to sponsored awards. (15%)
4. Consult with investigators and staff in all aspects of preparing applications by interpreting sponsor and/or institutional guidelines and policies. Research and resolve post award problems as they arise. Interpret sponsor and university policies and regulations (including federal regulations and laws) as related to proposals and awards for sponsored programs on behalf of the university. Provide direction and training to investigators and department administrators on current regulations, priorities, and compliance. Advise on questions of federal regulations and university policy interpretation and implementation from senior college and school administrators and faculty leadership. (15%)
5. Represent the Office of Research Administration to funding agencies regarding guidelines, compliance issues and allowable expenditures. Resolve issues where sponsors question or express concern about the university handling of sponsored program proposals only referring the most difficult ones to the supervisor for advice and decision. (10%)
6. Prepare budget detail for grant/contract applications and renewals for investigators without support staff. Review budgets for grant applications, assure budget requirements are met and coordinate the accounting and pre-award administration functions. Proper review requires thorough knowledge of complex and myriad applicable school and university requirements for the proper conduct of research and administration of sponsored projects and the ability to analyze the information provided and use independent judgment to determine if there are issues that must be addressed. Research and resolve post award problems as they arise. (10%)
7. Review and analyze initial required documentation for items such as indirect cost rates, IRB approvals, IACUC approvals, GCP certification, Certification of Conflict of Interest disclosure, etc. Determine if there are any issues, recommend solutions and ensure compliance. (5%)
8. Represent the university in matters relating to the negotiation of sponsored grant and contract sub agreements and amendments. Serve as initial contact for external sponsors for sub award negotiation. Interpret sponsor and university policies and regulations (including federal regulations and laws). Preparation of information sent to the sponsor relative to the negotiated grant/contract to ensure that information is correct and meets all requirements. (5%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Maintain up-to-date knowledge regarding federal and non-federal Research Administration practices and policies.
2. Establish user ID's for faculty and staff in the eRA Commons and Fast lane.
3. Assist in maintenance of central research admin email box.
4. Maintain log of all awards, draft contracts, and subcontracts as received in SPA database.
5. Serve as backup to counterpart grants and contracts specialist within SPA.
6. Perform other duties as assigned.

CONTACTS

Department: Contact with assistant vice president for Research Administration (weekly), assistant directors (daily), grants and contracts specialist (daily), department assistants (daily, ORA information technology staff (weekly) and post award staff (daily).

University: Contact with management center representatives (daily), department administrators (daily), faculty (daily), technology transfer office (weekly) and legal office (quarterly).

External: Contact with sponsor agencies (federal and non-federal) (daily), peers at other universities

(weekly) and contacts at sub recipient organizations (daily).

Students: Contact with work study students (occasionally) and graduate students with sponsored projects

(monthly).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

No supervisory responsibility.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 3 years of experience in sponsored projects administration at a research university or other academic institution OR high school education and a minimum of 7 years of experience in sponsored projects administration at a research university or other academic institution is required. Experience with both pre award and post award aspects of sponsored projects administration is preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

1. Commitment to excellence and growth in sponsored project funding.
2. Understanding of and commitment to effective compliance with sponsored project regulations and restrictions.
3. Knowledge of process required for submission of proposals to and acceptance of awards from federal and non-federal sponsors.
4. Knowledge of federal/state/private sponsor regulations and procedures relating to the pre-award administration of grants and contracts.
5. Highly motivated with a strong service orientation.
6. Must be an effective communicator and advocate exercising strong interpersonal skills with the ability to bring people together to create solutions and to forge a successful conclusion and, when necessary, to communicate difficult messages effectively.
7. Ability to organize and manage projects with a focus on results and deadlines.
8. Knowledge of current federal regulations of sponsored project activities.
9. Knowledge of requirements for submitting proposals to (including budget development and allowable costs) and setting up awards from a variety of sponsors but particularly federal agencies.
10. Familiarity with PeopleSoft Financials a plus.
11. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
12. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Office working setting; no unusual conditions.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity at 216-368-8877 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for an applicant will be made on a case-by- case basis.

NOTE/HOW TO APPLY

CWRU offers a flexible benefits package including tuition waiver for employees and dependents; Respond in confidence, including salary history: jobs.case.edu, human resources job code #7542.

Apply Here


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