Research Contracts Administrator (Internal Posting)

Dalhousie University; Halifax; Hybrid; CAD 63,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined benefit pension

Health and dental plans

Health spending account

Employee assistance program

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Dalhousie University, located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is seeking a Research Contracts Administrator. The role supports grants and contracts from the Grants and Contracts unit under Research Services.

You’ll review terms, gather documentation, and coordinate with internal legal counsel and funding agencies. The position offers hybrid work (on campus plus remote within Nova Scotia) and involves managing complex contracts and financial processes within a leading Atlantic Canada university.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree required in a related field plus approximately five years’ related experience.
• Excellent communication skills both in person and by email.
• Strong judgment, organization, time management and problem solving.
• Tact, diplomacy and well-developed interpersonal skills are essential.
• Proficient in word processing, financial spreadsheets and database management.

Responsibilities

• Review non-legal terms of grant agreements, amendments and contracts before legal review.
• Gather supporting documents for files at the pre-award stage (checklists, budgets, scope, eligibility).
• Review collaboration agreements in consultation with Associate Legal Counsel and track progress.
• Support tracking and reporting on research projects and outcomes; inform researchers of requirements.
• Assist with preparing application guidelines, reviewing applications and internal funding questions.
• Provide financial administration support and stay current on agency guidelines.

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Time management

Problem solving

Interpersonal skills

Diplomacy

Judgment

Education

Undergraduate degree

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Database management

Electronic file transfer

Job description

Research Contracts Administrator (Internal Posting)

Position Title Research Contracts Administrator (Internal Posting)

Research Project

Department/Unit

Department/Unit Research Services

Location

Posting Number

Posting Number S354-26

Employee Group

Employee Group DPMG

Position Type

Position Type Regular, On-Going

Duration of Contract (if applicable)

Employment Type

Employment Type Full Time

Full-time Equivalency (FTE)

Full-time Equivalency (FTE) 1.0

Salary $63,337 – $84,730 per annum, based on 35 hours per week

Classification

Classification ADM-05

Provisional Statement

This is a provisional classification. Formal regular review classification procedures may be initiated at any time by the incumbent or supervisor after the incumbent has worked a minimum of six months in the role.

Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.

Job Summary

Dalhousie University, under the leadership of the Vice-President Research & Innovation, administers over $270M annually in research funding. Reporting to the Research Grants Facilitator and Contracts Supervisor, the Research Contracts Administrator is responsible for facilitating research contracts, grant agreements, amendments and contribution agreements from the Grants and Contracts unit at the Office of Research Services.

Key Responsibilities

• Reviews non-legal terms of grant agreements, amendments, contribution agreements and contracts prior to sending through to Research and Innovation Legal.
• Gathers necessary supporting documents for files not reviewed at the pre-award stage, e.g., Investigator Checklist, funding guidelines, budget, scope of work, PI eligibility, etc.
• In consultation with an Associate Legal Counsel, reviews collaborative research agreements between researchers, funding agencies and collaborating institutions, including tracking progress and trouble-shooting agreements and amendments in progress.
• Supports the tracking and reporting on research projects and their results. Notifies researchers of reporting requirements, reviews reports and advises the Manager of any issues or outstanding documentation.
• Supports internal programs by working with the Grants and Contracts team. This includes assisting with preparing application guidelines and forms, reviewing applications, and responding to questions regarding internal funding programs from the Dalhousie research community.
• Provides financial administration support for funding opportunities. Keeps current on granting agency financial guidelines.

Note

The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work from within Nova Scotia) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.

Required Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree required in a related field, plus approximately five years’ related experience, in a research or contract administration or related environment (or equivalent combination of training and experience).
• Above average communication skills with the ability to communicate professionally in person and by e‑mail.
• Excellent judgment, strong organizational, time management and problem‑solving skills.
• Tact, sensitivity and diplomacy, and well‑developed interpersonal skills are essential for dealing with researchers and various stakeholders.
• Proficient technological skills in word processing, financial spreadsheets, e‑mail, database management, and electronic file transfer.

Assets

• Financial management and/or reporting experience.
• Knowledge of the research funding environment including funding programs, research funding agencies and practices, and functions related to research and research administration.

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s core and leadership competencies (https://www.dal.ca/dept/leaders.html), in particular:

• Respect & Inclusion
• Adaptability
• Knowledge & Thinking Skills
• Communication
• Service

Additional Information

Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.

Application Consideration

Applications for this position are restricted to current employees of Dalhousie University as described in the Internal Posting Guidelines. We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.

Diversity Statement

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity‑deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity‑deserving groups please review our Employment Equity information. If you require any support for the purpose of accommodation, such as technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University is committed to ensuring all candidates have full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed here.