Sponsored Programs Specialist

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) partners with the research community to support and advance the University’s research mission by providing leadership and expertise in research administration. OSP facilitates and manages all aspects of sponsored research administration for over $1B in sponsored awards each year while developing and maintaining strong relationships with campus partners and external sponsors. OSP is responsible for the following primary functions: (1) proposal review and submission, (2) award negotiation, (3) award management, (4) financial reporting and cash management, (5) F&A rate development, negotiation, and review, (6) cost analysis and research service center (recharge) rate development, (7) monitoring and oversight of time and effort reporting, (8) oversight of regulatory compliance, (9) training and development for research administration personnel, and (10) Project closeout and final reporting requirements. OSP provides complete sponsored project life cycle support (sometimes known as pre-award and post-award services) to faculty and staff.There are four functional areas of responsibility within the Office of Sponsored Programs, which have the following types of positions: (1) program administration; (2) accounting, financial reporting, and cash management; (3) data management reporting and analysis; and (4) financial compliance, effort reporting, cost studies, and cost accounting standards (CAS).OSP serves as the official institutional signatory for the Chancellor and is responsible for reviewing and authorizing proposal submissions, as well as negotiating and administering awards on behalf of the University. These activities include monitoring institutional compliance for research and training activities, pre-award services, billing and financial reporting, cash management, cost analysis and compliance of research-related activities, verification of technical report and patent & invention report submissions by principal investigators (PIs), award closeout, and the implementation of information technology into research administration activities. OSP’s centralized administrative functions facilitate the development and implementation of standardized policies & procedures across the University. They also provide training opportunities to improve University-wide efficiencies and communication to increase the quality of research administration.

Position Summary:

THIS POSTING IS FOR TWO IDENTICAL POSITIONS (POSITION NUMBERS 00059109 & 20016563). BY APPLYING, YOU WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR BOTH AVAILABLE POSITIONS.

The Sponsored Programs Specialist (SPS) is responsible for supporting campus departments, sponsors, and subrecipients in a fast-paced, high volume team environment for the administrative, financial, and compliance aspects of sponsored program proposal reviews/submissions and award negotiations/setups on behalf of UNC. Duties include collaborating and assisting faculty and departmental administrators, acting as a subject-matter expert in research administration; pre-award review and application submissions ensuring compliance with policies, laws, and regulations, and agency guidelines; budget development/review for allowability and financial compliance with all sponsor specific requirements; post-award review and financial setup of incoming awards; negotiating all types of grants, contracts, and subcontracts, as well as amendments and unfunded contracts; actively reviewing budgets and negotiating contracts with various types of sponsors; negotiating terms and conditions that impact all financial aspects of a sponsored project, including the budget, payment schedules, financial recourse in the event of a breach, and financial/compliance for audits, post-award administration and support of sponsored projects for all fiscal and programmatic compliance such as extensive budget review, effort, expenditures, cost share, budget revisions and compliance reviews.

The SPS will be the central point of contact for all assigned pre- and post-award activities for UNC-Chapel Hill. This position interacts with principal investigators (PIs) and departmental administrators, as well as various external sponsor personnel, subrecipient institutions’ sponsored research administration staff, and PIs to ensure timely and compliant processing of proposals and review, negotiation, and award setup of grants and contracts. The SPS will have knowledge of pre- and post-award management for a variety of prime sponsors including submission of proposals for a large portfolio of sponsors, reviewing flow-down of award terms and conditions in grants and contracts, and working knowledge of Uniform Guidance, contract review and negotiation, and the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).

The SPS is detail-oriented and independently performs pre-award activities. Reviewing grant applications, statements of work, budgets, budget justifications, indirect cost rates, fringe benefits, certifications and representations, Conflict of Interest (COI) policy implications, and any other proposal components required by guidelines and submit as an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR). The SPS will perform post-award activities including independent review of terms and conditions, review of scopes of work for compliance considerations, negotiation, and administration of incoming grants, contracts, and subcontracts. Post-award responsibilities also include review of COI policy implications, human (IRB) and animal subjects (IACUC) documentation, export control, research science and security, and other compliance considerations. This position will perform pre- and post-award tasks with accuracy to ensure compliance with the prime award terms and conditions, UNC-Chapel Hill OSP policies and procedures, and federal regulations. Errors resulting from failure to exercise required accuracy could have a negative financial impact on the University, including audit disallowances and impact on future awards.

The SPS will document activities in the appropriate systems through the lifecycle of the award. The position will monitor projects throughout the award life cycle to ensure continued compliance with various regulatory requirements including OSP policies and procedures. The position will work to maintain OSP’s high customer service standards for service to faculty, internal and external customers.

This position is a 100% remote work arrangement, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside in North Carolina, within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Mid- to late-career with Masters and 2- 4 yrs experience; Bachelors and 3-5 yrs experience

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

The selected candidate must demonstrate the following:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Strong organizational, time management, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to perform work with a high degree of accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness.
• Ability to work in a remote, team environment.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

• Knowledge of government regulations, cost principles, and administrative requirements applicable to contracts and grants, including, but not limited to, FAR, CFR, and other research compliance requirements (e.g. Export Control, Conflict of Interest, Human Subjects, Animal Subjects, Research Science and Security, Ethics Training).
• Previous experience in research administration (either pre-award, post-award, or a combination) as a grant/research administrator in a university or nonprofit setting.
• Previous experience in contract negotiations.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credentials.