Senior Project Officer - Research Contracts

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At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.
The Faculty of Science teaches approximately 7000 full-time student equivalents, with an academic staff of approximately 500 and general staff of 300.
The Faculty is one of the largest and most complex faculties of UNSW Sydney.
It comprises the School of Aviation, Biological Earth and Environmental Science (BEES), Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences (BABS), Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), Mathematics and Statistics, Psychology, and Physics.
It also includes several major Research Centres and field stations.
The Senior Project Officer - Research Contracts supports and leverages the Faculty's strategic research and enterprise goals through proactive research contract support.
The role entails providing project management, reporting and analytical support, strategic communications, and stakeholder engagement in relation to Faculty of Science research contracts.
The Senior Project Officer will also provide operational support to the Associate Dean Research and work closely with the Faculty of Science Research & Enterprise Team and with the Research Grants and Contracts Office, operating as a key link between the Office and Faculty of Science researchers.
The role also interfaces with several other University Divisions including Industry and Innovation, the Research Strategy Office and Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise, as well as research centres and bodies internal and external to the University.
About the role

LEVEL 7 - $110k - $119k plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
Fixed term - 12 months
Full-time (35 hours per week)

The role of Senior Project Officer - Research Contracts reports to the Associate Dean Research and has no direct reports.
Specific responsibilities for this role include:


Develop, strengthen and maintain working relationships between the Faculty of Science and UNSW divisions, particularly the Research Grants and Contracts Office to achieve research outcomes.
Act as a key liaison between the Faculty of Science's internal stakeholders, Research Grants Contracts and industry stakeholders to facilitate significant long-term research partnerships on behalf of the Faculty Research and Enterprise team.
Operate as the first point of contact for internal research funding stakeholders, maintaining effective channels of communication, interpreting requests, and correspondence to prioritise urgent research matters.
Manage research databases and information systems such as SPOC and proactively analyse and report on the research performance, contract progression, and other relevant metrics, including recommendations to improve research performance.
Identify, implement, and develop relevant projects, procedures, and business improvement activities to streamline Faculty research contract processes and optimise outcomes, contributing to continuous improvement efforts.
Provide expert advice and support to Faculty of Science researchers on financial, logistic, compliance and safety issues related to research contracts.
Provide governance and operational support to Faculty of Science researchers on external grants, including tenders and contract negotiations to meet UNSW and external agency requirements.
Collaborate with Research Contract Managers and Administrators from other Faculties and Divisions on joint projects and working groups, leveraging insights and best practices to enhance research partnership outcomes.
Represent the Faculty Research & Enterprise Team on relevant University committees, advocating for the Faculty's research interests and contributing to institutional decision-making processes.
Align with and actively demonstrate the UNSW Values in Action:
Our Behaviours and the UNSW Code of Conduct.
Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the psychosocial or physical health and safety of yourself or others.

About the successful applicant
(Selection Criteria)
To be successful in this role you will have:


Relevant degree with subsequent relevant experience or equivalent competence gained through a combination of education, training, and experience.
Demonstrated experience in project management in a complex environment, including setting up systems for stakeholder engagement and communication, tracking and project reporting.
Demonstrated experience in implementing business improvement activities that align with Faculty goals and strategy.
Extensive knowledge of the Australian higher education sector and research environment with experience in research management and research administration.
Proven ability to proactively manage projects, make improvements and to manage workflow and team responsibilities effectively in a dynamic environment.
Excellent interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate with and influence diverse internal and external stakeholders.
Exceptional time management and organisational skills, ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines.
Demonstrated initiative, sound analytical and problem-solving skills, and proven experience in business improvement activities.
Extensive experience working on confidential and sensitive matters and demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and tact as required.
Advanced level of computer literacy, working with a range of computer systems and applications, including Microsoft Office 365 suite including Teams, One Drive, Power BI, Excel, Word, Powerpoint and Outlook and with using UNSW's or similar enterprise systems.
An understanding of and commitment to UNSW's aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.
Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.
Contact:
Alyce TaylorE:
*** close:
January 31st, 2025
Find out more about working at UNSW at unsw.edu.au
UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion.
Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged.
UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.
The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
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