Associate Sponsored Research Officer - Subcontracts

Department: Office Sponsored Research
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Job Summary:

This position evaluates requests for and creates all sub-awards subject to the research terms and conditions, and other federal regulations and non-federal sponsored terms. Manages a constituency with a lessor degree of complexity in comparison to higher level positions.

The position provides consultation as it relates to subcontracts included in the submission of University wide sponsored research grant proposal for standard and routine activity subject as sponsored basic research grants, and provides subcontracts related consultation for resulting awards.

As part of Northwestern University's commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse campus community, Northwestern Sponsored Research is committed to being BRAVE (Battling Racism and Valuing Equity). Through deliberate words and actions, we actively endeavor to acknowledge the humanity of and value each of our colleagues.

The Associate Sponsored Research Officer will support the OR mission and values of understanding empathy, modeling accountability, ensuring fairness, embracing community, and valuing creativity.

Please note:

1. Supervisor provides objectives and deadlines. Work is reviewed for fulfillment of objectives and deadlines and overall compliance with practice, policies and procedures. Associate Sponsored Research Officer completes some activities without direction, and informs supervisor of on-going progress and/or potentially controversial matters and/or far-reaching implication.

2. Associate Sponsored Research Officer uses some judgment to adapt to an advanced knowledge of skills, methods, practices, policies, and procedures and a moderate degree of innovation, analysis, and reasoning to choose appropriate alternatives from among pre-defined policies and procedures to complete work that includes successive steps and involves some non-routine problems and/or decisions.

Specific Responsibilities:

• This position evaluates requests for and creates subaward agreements, ensuring full compliance with the issuance of sub- awards with the following considerations: Principal Investigator's (PI) needs and proactively identified special considerations; review and assessment of incoming award terms for appropriate flow down to sub-recipients; conducts and documents risk assessments of all sub-recipients by project, with low or elevated risk determinations used to create subaward agreement terms that will provide opportunities for appropriate controls and monitoring. Unusual circumstances are flagged and addressed internally (and externally as needed), and alternative language and compelling explanations for alternate terms desired by University are incorporated into the subaward agreement and/or documented to the University file. Utilizes University proposal/awards system in support of subcontract workflow and metrics; review of subcontract transactions for post execution processing including FFATA reporting, completes data entry and ensures data integrity associated with subcontract transactions; communication with internal and external parties regarding routine subcontracting matters; and compiles necessary documentation in support of institutional review and signature.
• Resolves standard and routine compliance problems & issues involving associated University policies & practices regarding subcontracting. Demonstrates knowledge of federal regulations related to research administration, including 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance), Federal-Wide Research Terms and Conditions; other major federal funding agency guidelines; and major sponsor electronic systems such as grants.gov, eraCommons, and FastLane.
• Ensures compliance with University, federal and other agency regulations, policies, forms and guidelines for the conduct of research. Monitors and communicates changes implemented by sponsors. Determines that all University & sponsor requirements have been met prior to University's endorsement & submission of proposals and acceptance of awards. Authorized to initiate contact with agency policy offices for policy clarifications. Offers advice and assistance to faculty and assumes full level of contact with faculty.
• Subcontract funds budgeting/allocation in University financial enterprise system; proposal, award, and post award administration of grant and/or contract activities including reviewing account establishment; tracks formal re-budgeting; monitors projects for under and over spending; participates in account close-out activities; communicates with PI, other unit and project personnel, other OSR staff, ASRSP, and/or sponsor accordingly.
• Assists with development, organization and maintenance of standard operating procedures, checklists and various subcontract tools; Provides internal and external training and outreach, education and record retention function, particularly relative to subcontracting

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in education, experience &/or training.
• 1 to 3 years of experience in the administration of sponsored research at an educational institution, in the federal government or at some other entity engaged in sponsored research or 3 years administrative support experience in a research environment.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Entry level of knowledge of:
• Federal regulations related to research administration, including Uniform Guidance and federal Research Terms and Conditions
• Other major federal funding agency guidelines
• Major sponsor electronic systems such as Grants.gov, Commons, & FastLane
• U.S. Patent Law, the Bayh-Dole Act and Federal Acquisition Regulations & related supplements2.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Well-developed organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge of the lifecycle and regulations, from acquisition planning through closeout;
• Fundamentals of governmental contract negotiation;
• Understanding of strategies for implementing and managing governmental contracts; and
• recognize, assess, and manage the risks associated with governmental contracts.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $82,000-$90,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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