Interdisciplinary Research Development Officer

Staff - Non Union
Job Category
M&P - AAPS
Job Profile
AAPS Salaried - Research and Facilitation, Level C
Job Title
Interdisciplinary Research Development Officer
Department
Research Development | Support Programs to Advance Research Capacity
Compensation Range
$5,906.25 - $8,508.42 CAD Monthly
The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.
Posting End Date
June 7, 2023
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.
Job End Date
At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.
Job Summary
This position is in the Support Programs to Advance Research Capacity (SPARC), a unit within the Vice President Research and Innovation (VPRI) portfolio. The Interdisciplinary Research Development Officer is responsible for planning and coordinating grant development services and resources to support faculty from across UBC applying to tri-agency interdisciplinary funding opportunities (i.e., New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) Exploration, Transformation, International and Special Call competitions) which includes facilitating collaborative research applications, liaising with researchers, university units, granting agencies and other external stakeholders; and providing feedback on NFRF grant applications. This position works closely with UBC's Faculties, Departments, Centres and Institutes, as well as the VPRI’s Research Advisors and affiliated units, to provide support services to increase faculty members’ abilities to secure tri-agency grant funding.
ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS
Reporting to the Director, SPARC, the incumbent works closely with faculty members and research support staff from all Faculties, Departments and units at all UBC campuses.
WORK PERFORMED

• Plans, manages and delivers outreach and training programs (e.g., information sessions, strategic grant development workshops, strategic resources) for NFRF competitions, which may involve recruiting panelists/speakers (e.g., UBC peer reviewers, NFRF administrators), program development in collaboration with other Faculties, Departments and sites, travel (e.g., hospital sites, UBC-Okanagan) and presenting;
• Performs other duties as required.
• Supports various research funding programs and initiatives as required (e.g., SSHRC Special Initiatives), which may involve assisting in the development and assessment of complex institutional funding proposals, providing liaison and support for multi-investigator teams, coordinating and integrating contributions by multiple authors on team proposals, and developing, editing and finalizing institutional letters of support;
• Provides authoritative information on research funding administrative processes relating to NFRF programs, and other tri-agency interdisciplinary funding opportunities as required. This involves setting goals for SPARC's support services, including a work plan, and forecasting and establishing a budget as required;
• Analyzes competition-related data and develops presentations and/or written reports;
• Plans, manages and coordinates equitable and transparent NFRF grant reviews to faculty from disciplines across the social sciences, humanities, health, and natural sciences and engineering. This also includes providing strategic and editorial review feedback as part of a SPARC review team;
• Manages the communication of SPARC services for NFRF competitions and results via a number of communication channels: VPRI Research Digest, SPARC’s website, email listservs, and in meetings with faculty administrators (e.g., Deans and Associate Deans, Research);
• Coordinates the delivery of SPARC support services (e.g., information sessions, consults, and application reviews) primarily for the NFRF programs, and for other major interdisciplinary funding opportunities, with the aim of improving UBC's research funding success;
• Maintains a confidential library of successful NFRF proposals obtained from UBC researchers;
• Liaises with funding sponsors to ensure applications meet agency requirements, and communicates these to faculty members, Associate Deans, Research and research support staff (e.g., grant facilitators, development officers) at both UBC campuses;
• Provides strategic and editorial review feedback on funding applications to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), under the leadership of SPARC’s SSHRC lead;
• Promotes services and programs offered by the SPARC Office;
• Provides one-on-one consultations to faculty and teams with the aim of improving the strength and competitiveness of grant proposals, which may include matching funding opportunities to research activities and researchers, and coordinating grant development;

CONSEQUENCE OF ERROR
A high degree of judgment is required to coordinate and deliver effective grant development services. Tact and diplomacy are essential to foster faculty member buy-in to these critical support services, both as applicants/participants and experts/reviewers. Incorrect management of SPARC resources could result in an ineffective system that is not supported by Faculties/Departments, or researchers, thereby limiting UBC's ability to compete effectively in Tri-agency competitions and damaging the reputation of SPARC, VPRI and UBC. Research grant applications which are not developed or reviewed properly may result in a loss of funding or may commit the University to unacceptable award conditions.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Reports to Director, SPARC. Work is reviewed periodically to assess the validity of recommendations and the achievement of defined goals.
SUPERVISION GIVEN
Provides guidance and technical knowledge to individual researchers and research teams in order to develop highly competitive funding proposals. Also, may, from time to time, manage students, employees on contract and/or consultants.
Minimum Qualifications
For research work, a post-graduate degree or equivalent professional designation with a minimum of four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Otherwise, an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline is required with a minimum of six years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of NFRF funding opportunities is an asset
• Proficient in standard computer software programs applications (e.g. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and online video teleconferencing applications (e.g., Zoom).
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills with the ability to interpret data to determine implications and provide recommendations
• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills with demonstrated ability to work collaboratively to achieve high quality outcomes in a complex organization.
• Good judgment with the ability to exercise tact and discretion.
• Strong organizational, project management and time management skills
• Ability to maintain high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Previous experience supporting faculty in a research-intensive university with demonstrated skill in grant development and research administration
• Experience coordinating programs and services, including preparing educational materials and delivering workshops
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and work effectively to meet deadlines
• Good understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion principles in research
• Ability to work independently and take lead on projects
• Good understanding of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research
• Superior oral communication skills with ability to lead effective and professional presentations in person and virtually
• Excellent writing and editing skills