Research Administrator II

Classification Title:

Research Administrator II

Job Description:

Global Food Systems Institute (GFSI) Helps You Get There! We support faculty, staff, students, and Extension professionals' engagement in international work, including teaching, research, and outreach to strengthen human capacity for effective food systems, primarily in the Global South. We assist with project development, identification of funding opportunities, and developing multidisciplinary teams.

Our vision is to become a globally preeminent and transformative community for advancing the frontier of knowledge and practice for food and fiber systems. Our mission is to engage in participatory research-based solutions that enhance the nutritional, health, and livelihoods, of global citizens and the environment through scientifically improved food and fiber systems. We value transformative teaching, research, and Extension education that is interdisciplinary and based upon trusted and unbiased research findings.

Our work seeks to create transdisciplinary research and educational experiences through thematic areas and cross-cutting approaches that are led by subject matter experts. We provide partial funding for graduate research associates, post-doctoral research associates, and travel awards to encourage international engagement. GFSI also sponsors an array of annual awards for excellence in international programs related to research, teaching, and Extension, and hosts the annual Future of Food Forum.

The Research Administrator provides comprehensive pre and post award administration for GFSI and IFAS faculty seeking funding for international research and projects. The incumbent is a member of the GFSI finance team and provides leadership in sponsored project administration and compliance. The Research Administrator works closely with faculty and maintains relationships with the IFAS Office of Research, UF Contracts & Grants (C&G), and the Division of Sponsored Programs (DSP).

30% - Pre-Award Administration - Track and evaluate potential funding opportunities. Assist with the development, management, and submission of proposals to federal, state, and private funding agencies. Review requests for proposal (RFP), identify and ensure sponsor and UF policy compliance, and prepare budgets for each proposal. Enter grant proposals, agreements, and SF424 submissions into the University of Florida Integrated Research Support Tool (UFIRST). Coordinate proposal review and submission with IFAS, C&G, and DSP. Advise Principal Investigators (PI's) on proposal requirements and timelines, budgets, and sponsor and UF policies and requirements.

40% - Post-Award Administration - Provide comprehensive award management and monitoring of post award activities, including: payroll distributions, budget transfers, incremental funding releases, budget modifications and adjustments, supplemental funding requests, subaward agreements and monitoring, no cost extensions, cost sharing, and cost transfers. Interpret contracts and other award documents to determine budget, invoicing schedule, restrictions, and other pertinent information. Process invoices and manage distribution setups for project related payroll. Analyze expenses, develop cost projections, and provide financial tracking and fiscal control. Analyze, handle, and oversee monthly reconciliations and ensure the timely identification and correction of errors. Establish and maintain project commitments to meet cost sharing and direct pay agreements for sponsored projects. Prepare administrative progress and final reports for submission to sponsors.

20% - Compliance - Act as liaison between GFSI, IFAS and UF core offices. Support PI projects efforts at ensuring compliance with UF, granting agency and target country guidelines. Provide advice to the PI regarding the interpretation of policies, procedures, rules, and regulations. Maintain and monitor effort commitments for faculty. Review project status monthly with Finance Team to ensure only allowable costs are recorded and project expenditures are within budgetary constraints. Monitors final reporting requirements.

10% - Overall Institute Support - Provide action recommendations to the GFSI Leadership Team. Approve financial transactions in the myUF Marketplace and UFGO. Analyze, handle, and oversee monthly reconciliations and ensure the timely identification and correction of errors. Other duties as assigned.

Expected Salary:

$53,000-$65,000

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree and two years of experience in grant and contract administration; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with multidisciplinary or international teams.
• Experience preparing and administering international project budgets for agencies like USAID.
• Experience with writing and submitting successful research proposals to federal, industry, private and other sponsors.
• Strong analytical, oral, and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, and strong self-motivation
• Self-starter, takes initiative, and has a leadership focus.
• Second language ability (preferably French, Spanish)
• Ability to develop simple training materials on award management for faculty
• Ability to analyze, interpret and communicate both financial and regulatory data
• Experience with USAID projects.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

Health Assessment Required:
No

Advertised: 22 Aug 2024 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 08 Sep 2024 Eastern Daylight Time