EU Research Grants & Contracts Officer (Maternity Cover)

Transcription

1 EU Research Grants & Contracts Officer (Maternity Cover) Corporate Services Research Support Office Salary Grade 7-31,331 to 36,298 per annum Fixed term contract from 1 st November 2013 to 31st October 2014 (** see below for contract information) Ref: CSE00767 At Leicester we re going places. Ranked in the top 20 universities in Britain our aim is to climb further. A commitment to high quality fused with an inclusive academic culture is our hallmark and led the Times Higher Education to describe us as elite without being elitist. This is an exciting opportunity to provide operational pre award EU funding research support as cover for maternity leave. This wide-ranging role provides specialist research support services in the area of EU funding. This includes expert guidance on the development of EU funding applications, advising on funder cost rules and eligibility rules, and negotiating successful awards, contract terms and consortium agreements. Being a leading member of the small EU team, the appointee will play a fundamental role in supporting the University s strategic objective of continuing to grow and diversify research income particularly in light of the launch of the new Horizon 2020 funding programme. The post holder will manage their own portfolio of applications and grant negotiations, provide professional advice and pro-active solution-driven support to University researchers and postaward finance staff and advice to ensure full compliance with EU funding rules and University policies and procedures. As this is a fixed term opportunity of 12 months, we welcome proposals for secondment from another institution or organisation. The University There s never been a more exciting time to join us. At the University of Leicester we are enjoying research success on a world stage and gathering the awards and plaudits to match.

2 We are described as elite without being elitist. We are proud to be elite. But we are at least as proud to be an inclusive and progressive university. This commitment to high quality, an inclusive academic culture and belief in the synergy of teaching and research are our hallmarks. We believe that teaching is inspirational when delivered by passionate scholars engaged in world-changing research that is delivered in an academic community that includes postgraduate as well as undergraduate students. Our approach to research yields great rewards. Our research impact, measured by citations per academic, is ranked in the UK top 10. Our success in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise saw Quality Related research income rise by 18% placing us firmly amongst Britain s top 20 research universities by this measure. The RAE also revealed that Leicester is home to Britain s top-rated research department Museum Studies which has the highest concentration of world class research of any department of any discipline in the UK. We believe that teaching and research are synergistic, and the National Student Survey demonstrates that the quality of our teaching is amongst the highest in the country. Since the launch of the survey in 2005, Leicester has consistently featured amongst the top-10 universities in England for student satisfaction. The Sunday Times described Leicester as "top... amongst mainstream multifaculty universities for student satisfaction". Currently a University of 23,000 students, with a turnover in excess of 260m and 3,300 colleagues, our future is bright. Our Strategic Vision describes our plans to invest a billion pounds in our estate as we transform our campus. Ranked 13 th out of 120 universities by the Guardian, by 2015 we aim to rise further to become top-10. Leicester is the most inclusive of Britain s top-20 universities with the greatest proportions of students from under-represented groups. As a group of talented individuals we are more diverse than ever and stronger for it. At Leicester we are proud of our distinct approach, our achievements and our ambitious plans. If you share our approach join us. Corporate Services The Vice-Chancellor is the chief academic and administrative officer of the University. The head of the Corporate Services itself is the Registrar and Secretary. The Corporate Services currently comprises six divisions: Student and Academic Services Estates Office Finance and Business Development Human Resources Marketing and Communications Information Services Research Support Office The Research Support Office is located within the Division of Finance and Business Development and is a busy department with a friendly team of twenty-eight staff. The Office is responsible for all central administrative and managerial functions relating to publicly funded research, including external assessment such as REF, and comprises three sections, broadly covering Grants and Contracts; Research Finance; and Research Development. The post holder will work within the Grants and Contracts section. RSO works closely, and is co-located, with the Enterprise and Business University of Leicester 2 20 August 2013

3 Development Office which oversees all commercially funded research and knowledge transfer activities. For further information about the RSO office please go to: Your Role This wide-ranging role involves providing specialist research support services in the area of EU funding. This includes providing expert guidance on the development of EU funding applications, advising on funder cost rules and eligibility rules, and negotiating successful awards, contract terms and consortium agreements. Being a leading member of the small EU team, the appointee will play a fundamental role in supporting the University s strategic objective of continuing to grow and diversify research income particularly in light of the launch of the new Horizon 2020 funding programme. The post holder will manage their own portfolio of applications and grant negotiations, provide professional advice and pro-active solution-driven support to University researchers and post-award finance staff and advise colleagues to ensure full compliance with EU funding rules and University policies and procedures. Principal Accountabilities Provide timely and specialist pre-award guidance and support to EU applications maximising the financial value and contractual position on successful grants and contracts. Cost applications and advise researchers on specific requirements for EU funding proposals including eligibility rules, whilst ensuring University and College internal requirements to ensure high quality applications are complied with. Accept EU grants on behalf of the University after negotiating terms and conditions attached to awards, being aware of IP, liability, publication issues and the University ethical approval requirements process. Promote appropriate EU funding opportunities by pro-actively scanning for emerging funding calls and targeting appropriate researchers, advising on priorities and funding schemes, and facilitating administrative support for complex or collaborative funding applications. To identify and disseminate intelligence related to Horizon 2020 and other European research funding opportunities and policy issues to the research community and senior management as appropriate. To maintain effective institutional relationships with appropriate external bodies and networks, for example, European Commission Programme Managers, EU Co-ordinators and Project Managers, and the UK Research Office (UKRO). To liaise and work cooperatively with colleagues at both pre-award and post-award levels to ensure that:- o o effective grant documentation and information is in place to assure a high standard of efficiency in the financial administration of EU contracts systems for the management of research opportunities information are well coordinated. To engage with national and local initiatives affecting the research community as they impact upon the administration of European-funded grants and contracts. University of Leicester 3 20 August 2013

4 To advise both academic colleagues and post award administrative staff on the awards process and contract interpretation during the lifetime of research grants and contracts awarded. To organise internal workshops and training seminars on promoting and securing European research funding. To undertake other relevant duties from time to time as may be required by Line Manager or Director of the Office. Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience Essential Desirable Educated to degree level or equivalent* Outstanding literacy and numeracy skills* At least 2 years' experience in a hands-on research administration role preferably working in EU funding and/or EU costing methodologies Obtained postgraduate research degree Skills, Abilities and Competencies Essential Desirable Ability to communicate complex numerical scenarios and EU funding instrument regulations to other University staff members Capacity and aptitude for analysing and understanding complex contract terms and conditions* Good IT skills with ability to interrogate finance systems and operate project costing packages. Excellent interpersonal and written* communication skills, coupled with the ability to win the confidence of academic staff. Ability to work effectively and co-operatively as part of a team and take the initiative according to demands* Flexibility and attention to detail, with the ability to work to tight deadlines and manage conflicting priorities* Use EU Participant Portal system to sufficient degree to train others to do the same. Ability to keep up to date with the ever changing European research funding context ** Additional Contract Information The appointment will be from 1 st November 2013 until 31 st October 2014 on a fixed term contract basis to cover a period of maternity. Your appointment will cease on the end date without further University of Leicester 4 20 August 2013

5 notice, you will be able to access all University vacancies on the web site in order to seek alternative opportunities. For further information or help you can contact the Recruitment team on or Informal Enquiries Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Brian Berry on or Applications For further information and to apply on-line, please visit our website: The closing date for this post is midnight on Monday 9 th September Candidates short-listed for interview will be contacted by the University. If you do not receive a communication from the University within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful. University of Leicester 5 20 August 2013