Mandate

As part of Research Services, the Grants team provides pre-awards management of university research grant applications. Reporting to the Associate Director, Research Grants (ADRG), the Research Grants Officer (RGO) works collaboratively as part of a grant support network to meet the needs of individual (e.g., researcher) and institutional (e.g., executive, chairs/deans) stakeholders while also ensuring compliance with funding agency regulations and requirements. The RGO works closely with researchers, Faculty Grant Officers (FGOs) and other units (post-award finance, contracts, partnerships, ethics, research accounting, research security) to manage the research grant application process at UVic.

The RGO plays a key role in providing strategic guidance in the development of strong research proposals during the pre-award stage, delivering capacity-building sessions to researchers and other members of the grant support network, and checking for risk to the institution associated with research grant applications prior to requesting institutional approval for submission.

Objectives

- Maintain comprehensive knowledge of recurring and emerging funding opportunities within an assigned funding agency portfolio.
- Identify and promote funding opportunities of strategic interest to researchers and the university.
- Provide strategic advice to researchers and FGOs to improve competitiveness and success of funding applications through leading the development of a variety of application supports and resources.




- Serve as an expert source of guidance to researchers and FGOs on university policies and administrative procedures as well as funding agency regulations and requirements.
- Ensure grant applications comply with university and funder policies and requirements prior to submission.

This position requires a level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a graduate degree and minimum 5 years of related qualified experience working in a research administration environment. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered. Experience working in a post-secondary institution, foundation, or granting agency is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Include

- Commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive and respectful working and learning environment.
- Knowledge of research grant application and pre-award processes.
- Ability to interpret, explain, and assess compliance with university and granting agency programs, policies and procedures.
- Organized and detail-oriented to ensure accurate information is provided to stakeholders in a timely manner.
- Ability to clearly communicate complex information about grant application requirements, processes and policies.




- Strong administrative skills and ability to apply project management principles to achieve project goals on time.
- Proven ability to multi-task while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
- Prioritize workload effectively to manage shifting priorities while meeting frequent non-negotiable and conflicting deadlines.
- Self-motivated and curious with the desire to seek, synthesize and share relevant information.
- Excellent analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze issues, develop solutions independently, and implement effective strategies to achieve desired outcomes.
- Ability to gather, interpret and synthesize information from a multitude of diverse sources.
- Ability to collaborate, build and maintain positive relationships and work effectively in a team environment.
- Cultural awareness when communicating with researchers and funding agency staff.
- Strong leadership, facilitation and client (customer) services skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and to tailor communication style for different audiences and situations.
- Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality when required.
- Proficiency with computer applications (i.e., MS Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, and UVic systems such as RAIS)
- Experience with drafting, editing and providing constructive feedback on grant proposals is an asset.
- Experience with research grants administration is an asset.

📌 Research Grants Officer (Victoria)
🏢 University of Victoria
📍 Victoria