Government Contract Officer

Job Summary:

The Contracts Officer is responsible for preparation, drafting, review and negotiation of outgoing and incoming agreements, and development, compilation, and submission of proposals for research, public service, and other contracts which may be assigned by the supervisor.

The Officer works independently to assess complex grant. contract and subcontract transactions where analysis requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. This position uses advanced contracts and grants concepts to manage high volume and high complexity transactions and may review and guide others in the review of financial and administrative management requirements of research contract and grant proposals, awards and/or transactions to ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor policies. The Officer may review and sign transactions for less experienced staff and may serve as a technical specialist in a particular area as needed by the department.

During the award negotiation and proposal development process, the Officer will need to coordinate and obtain input from faculty and campus offices including Legal Affairs, Risk Management, Privacy, and Department managers. The Officer will be responsible for interpreting internal guidance, negotiating inclusion of stakeholder requirements into agreements and completing all assignments in a timely and professional manner.

The Officer is experienced in research administration and is expected to demonstrate the requisite requirements to sign and approve specified contract and grant agreements in accordance with UC policies and procedures.

Department Overview:

The Office of Sponsored Research is an advocate for all researchers at UCSF and provides them with comprehensive pre-award services. The OSR, a $23M operation, is comprised of eleven shared service teams, including 151 Proposal and Grants Specialist and Officers, Contract and Award Specialists and Officers, Associates, and Assistant Team Managers and Team Managers supporting 2000+ faculty, and is responsible for all pre-award grant activity for the campus.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Identify the functions or tasks that employees in the job perform. The essential functions should state the purpose of the work and the results to be accomplished, rather than how the function is performed. Of the tasks listed, what percentage of time is devoted to each? The more time employees spend on a function, the more likely it is that the function is essential. Generally, include those functions that account for 10% or more of the work, i.e., key items that contribute significantly to the achievement of the job.  The functions should add up to 100%.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Five (5) or more years of related work experience that demonstrates the necessary level of analytical, problem-solving, initiative, judgment, decision-making, organizational and communications skills.
• Extensive knowledge of program administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.
• Knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation, Code of Federal Regulations, sponsor-specific policies, intellectual property policy, conflict of interest requirements, publication rights, application of indirect cost rates or other complex concepts in research administration.
• Experience researching and interpreting policies or regulations. Knowledge of current compliance regulations relating to research administration.
• Ability to manage high volume and complex transactions.
• Demonstrated leadership or resource management skills: ability to coach, mentor, develop others; provide feedback and distribute work.
• Independent judgment, strong organization and communication skills and customer service focus with the ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating contracts or the ability to demonstrate requisite knowledge of contracts to be assigned signature authority.
• Skill in analyzing information and objectives to define problems, identify relevant issues of concerns, formulating alternatives to affect resolution, and selecting alternative problem resolutions having evaluated all implications for implementation of a given solution.

• Proven ability to write reports, prepare presentations or other documents that convey information and ideas to the reader.

   

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to perform highly complex financial analysis and customized reporting.
• Ability to interpret policy for others. Knowledge of policies relating to sponsored research, compliance, academic personnel, the appropriate use of University facilities, etc.
• Experience with all types of award mechanisms, including grants. contracts, subcontracts, cooperative agreements. Demonstrated knowledge of distinctions between various contract mechanisms and the ability to interpret the varying objectives and needs of internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.
• Demonstrated advanced competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis and budget development.
• Ability to use a variety of database applications and software.
• Ability to be a team player. Works with OSR staff in identifying areas for improvement in office procedures and policies and creating and implementing new methods.
• Ability to support change management objectives including ability to learn and process a variety of awards.
• Ability to work independently under heavy pressure and to know when to ask questions.
• Ability to manage the responsibilities of signature authority; considering impact to University, sister campuses, faculty, students, and programs in making significant institutional commitments.