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Compensation Range

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Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Job Summary
This position provides strategic planning and support for high value and high-impact research opportunities in the area of Health Research at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus. This position is responsible for planning, managing and communicating the facilitation of health research funding review processes and the development of collaborative research applications involving researchers across the university. This work includes identifying interdisciplinary research synergies, matching funding opportunities, and advising teams of faculty, and possible external researchers and other stakeholders to submit highly competitive funding proposals. This position will establish and maintain relationships with key points of contact, including internal and external research and award sponsors, as well as other units on both campuses, and within the VPR portfolio. This position will also develop strategic research support plans in collaboration with Deans and Department Chairs in relevant disciplinary areas across UBC Okanagan campus. They will provide authoritative advice and recommendations regarding potential opportunities for UBC Okanagan's research community.

Organizational Status
Works under a dual reporting structure, with an operational report to the Associate Director, Office of Research Services and direction on research strategy and activity from the Associate Vice-Principal Research (AVPR). Collaborates with faculty, senior administration and other research facilitation/support staff from all Departments and Schools on the Okanagan campus and works closely with the SPARC Office, the Institutional Programs Office, and Tri-Council Faculty Advisors on the Vancouver campus.

Work Performed

Facilitation of Grant Application Process and Advising

• Plans, develops, manages and provides authoritative information on research funding opportunities and administrative processes. This involves setting priorities and goals for each funding opportunity, establishing support processes, and advising on eligibility criteria, deadlines, submission processes, budget requirements and other important details regarding internal and external research opportunities.
• Plans, manages, and coordinates the development and delivery of research facilitation programming (workshops, information sessions, review services), primarily for health research funding streams (eg. CIHR, MSFHR) and secondarily for other disciplinary-linked opportunities, with the aim of improving the research funding success of UBC applicants. Where appropriate includes guest speakers (e.g. grant reviewers, successful grant awardees, sponsor representatives, Grant Review Committee members), develops resources (e.g. budget templates), and creates program-specific research support materials (digital, print, and other) regarding high-subscription funding competitions to aid in the development of research proposals.
• Identifies research synergies; matches and advises on connections between funding opportunities and faculty members' research programs and research teams to establish strategic research plans. This involves developing and maintaining relationships with faculty members with relevant research area profiles, as well as maintaining direct communication channels and managing information via newsletters and listservs, as needed.
• Provides strategic guidance and editorial feedback on grant proposals including editing; developing and reviewing budgets; and advising faculty on how to improve existing proposals. This may include advising research teams, participating in team meetings and advising on procedures for institutional support where needed. May involve coordinating the development of large collaborative research grant applications, and engaging with external stakeholders to establish new, or expand existing, partnerships.
• Provides authoritative advice and information on Tri-Council and relevant funding programs. Liaises with CIHR & MSFHR and other funding sponsors to ensure applications meet requirements of agencies and communicates sponsor requirements and changes to faculty, Associate Deans and professional support staff. Plans, manages and disseminates communications of supports, including project & proposal development, proposal review, and workshops, as well as outreach activities.
• Manages internal administration procedures for program-specific application requirements, including the management and coordination of letter of intent / letters of support procedures for programs as needed.
• Plans and manages a large number of grant proposal support activities, including high-value competitions (<$1 million).
• Liaises effectively with other research support services (SPARC, VPRI units, libraries, Faculty and Department level) on questions related to acquisition and administration of research funding, with a focus on pre-award matters. Advises researchers, ensuring they are aware of and have appropriately addressed within funding applications, University and external agency policies and procedures, such as research ethics, intellectual property, publication restrictions, copyright, confidentiality issues, budgets, and overhead recovery.
• Co-manages support for complex award applications, including CRC or NFRF team proposals as needed.
• Provides expertise on a wide range of research areas

Strategic Planning and Capacity building for Health Research

• Builds and maintains relationships with research leaders at UBC Okanagan and UBC Vancouver (where relevant), including Department Chairs, Deans and Associate Deans, and Tri-Council Faculty advisers with the goal of identifying / developing strategic research support plans to meet unit goals.
• Provides one-on-one-consultations to faculty and associated teams with the aim of improving the strength and competitiveness of funding proposals.
• Connects with faculty new to UBC and assists them with the transition to the local research environment, including internal, national, and international funding opportunities, as well as internal submission requirements and ORS procedures.
• Initiates and facilitates collaborations among researchers, advises on the development of new partnerships.
• Identifies specific funding opportunities for individual and team research funding in line with relevant expertise and interest on campus, and strategic priorities for Departments, Faculties, and UBC.
• Monitors the grant writing and infrastructure support needs of [health research faculty, and, based on those needs, recommends and implements new initiatives of support (workshops, internal funding opportunity development / refinement, strategic collaboration with other support units on campus).
• Strategically develops effective communication channels. This involves communicating through the ORS and VPR newsletters, websites, and in meetings with Faculty administration (e.g., Deans, Associate Deans and Department Heads). Develops and maintains relationships with Research Excellence Clusters to assist with the development and/or expansion of external partnerships and collaborations.

Other duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
A high degree of judgment and initiative is required to plan and manage effective research proposal review procedures at the University. This position exercises extensive judgement and decision making in the development and implementation of the review process and in the development of policies and procedures. Tact and diplomacy are essential to foster buy-in on these procedures. Incorrect management of program could result in ineffective research support via lack of uptake, thereby limiting UBC's ability to compete effectively in funding agency competitions. Inaccurate or incomplete information regarding sponsor regulations could also result in a loss of funding or may commit the University to unacceptable award conditions. Failure to accurately identify external granting agency and University research policies and procedures can result in the subsequent rejection of faculty grant applications, the return of awarded funds, the loss of future funds and/or the inability to collect funds owed to the University, the Faculty and individual researchers. The potential losses may vary from a few thousand to multi-million dollar arrangements. Poor management or improper decisions could compromise the effectiveness and reputation of the Office of Research Services, the VP Research, and the University.

Supervision Received
Works with wide latitude and a high degree of independence, under the general direction of the Associate Director, Office of Research Services and Associate Vice-Principal Research. This position works with from generally defined goals from the University Strategic Research Plan, ORS and the Vice President, Research (UBCO).

Supervision Given
This position provides direction and technical knowledge to research teams and provides guidance to research team staff, including student research assistants, regarding grant procedures. May, from time to time, manage students, employees on contract, or consultants.

Preferred Qualifications

Post-graduate degree or equivalent professional designation if responsible for a research project otherwise Undergraduate degree if not responsible for a research project. 4 years or equivalent combination of education and experience if responsible for research project otherwise 6 years or equivalent combination of education and experience if not research work. Three years of directly relevant experience in developing, writing, critiquing or evaluating research funding applications, preferably in the area of health.
Expert-level knowledge of CIHR programs and mandates; a solid knowledge of other Canadian funding agencies mandates and programs (NSERC, SSHRC, CFI, Foundations, etc.) would be an asset.
Experience in teaching and/or in developing and conducting grant/proposal writing workshops and training sessions.
Proven management and communications experience in a large, multi-faceted organization.
Proven mastery of grammar, punctuation, and matters of Tri-Council writing style are essential.
Intermediate computing skills (Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint and other software) required.
Demonstrated ability to make effective presentations is essential.
Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities.
Demonstrated ability to lead workshops for small to large groups of faculty members.
Demonstrated ability to deconstruct program guidelines and break them down into clear descriptions of actions and essential steps.
Demonstrated ability to liaise with funding agencies and gather further program information.
Demonstrated ability to exercise tact and discretion.
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain working collaborative relationships with staff and faculty, including senior level academics, as well as government agencies.
Demonstrated ability to initiate, develop and lead new projects.
Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret various forms of data, determine implications, and provide recommendations.
Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, and to summarize relevant information in a clear and succinct manner.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in both team and independent environments.
Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze and resolve problems.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, to prioritize and work effectively under pressure.
Demonstrated ability to read difficult or complicated text critically in fields relevant to [SSH, NSE, CIHR].
Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures and instructions.