Research | Grant Specialists, Medicine

Research / Grant Specialists, Medicine

Department: Medicine

Entity: Aga Khan University

Introduction to the Aga Khan University:

Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, autonomous, and self-governing international university with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries distributed across three continents. As an integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKU provides higher education in several disciplines, carries out research pertinent to the countries in which it exists and has campuses, programs and/or teaching hospitals in Afghanistan, Kenya, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda, and the UK. As an international institution, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact, and access; and AKU is a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change.

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.

This is a grant-funded contractual position.
 

Job Roles / Responsibilities:

The Grant Specialist will be responsible for managing the financial and administrative components of a three-year sponsored research project funded by the Wellcome Trust. This role goes beyond traditional grant management and requires active involvement in overseeing project implementation, including field-based strategies, budgeting, financial monitoring, and preparation of monthly financial progress reports. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills and demonstrate experience in managing complex, donor-funded research initiatives from both an operational and strategic perspective.

Additionally, the incumbent will be responsible to:

• Negotiation with University's various departments for timely completion of grant checklist process;
• provides advice and guidance regarding sponsored projects administration to Pl;
• acts as liaison between PI and Office of Research and Graduate Studies to resolve pressing concerns in time for meeting submission deadlines;
• conducting regular sessions for Pl and senior research staff on dynamics and regular updates in due diligence process;
• reviewing the proposal in light of institutional as well as prospective granting agency's requirements;
• using advanced contracts and grants concepts to manage a high volume of proposals and subawards; many involving significant complexity; this involves liaising with legal department;
• keeping oneself abreast of frequent developments in research and grants Administration field (like CFR, AFR, etc)
• assisting in resolving modifications issues that may involve contacting funding agency;
• review specific terms and conditions to answer questions regarding allowability of expenses;
• audit of subcontracts for appropriate allocation of funding;
• ensuring that each project ends with a "closeout process" that is all work has been completed, required reports have been submitted, and any outstanding financial matters have been resolved:
• ensuring that all active projects have valid ERC this may involve sending regular progress report of the project;
• guiding faculty members on how to inform ERC regarding changes in proposals and also keeping ERC well informed;
• coordinate between other departments to AKU to ensure our research grants are in accordance with regulatory requirements of granting agency

Requirements:

The applicant should have:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field is required, such as Business Administration (Finance, Accounting, or Project Management)/Public Administration /Development Studies / Economics (with relevant project/grant experience)
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in grant administration is required.
• Certification in Research and Grant Administration will be an added advantage.
• Professional certifications in grant management, financial reporting, budgeting, or project management will be considered a strong asset.
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience in donor-funded projects, particularly in the health, research, or development sectors within Pakistan
• adept knowledge of research administration. US Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities preferably in a university environment (Institutes of Higher Education),
• sound knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Code of Federal Regulations (CFAR, USA), OMB Circulars (Office of Management and Budgeting, USA, circulars applicable to foreign universities, A-21, A-110, A-133), sponsor-specific policies, intellectual property policy, conflict of interest requirements, publication rights, contract negotiation, application of indirect cost rates and other necessary concepts and their applications in research administration field,
• knowledge and applicability of the new 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance), the consolidated guidelines to manage US Federally and non-federally funded research grants,
• knowledge and applicability of SAM (Systems of Award Management), eCommons, and similar other online grants submission and management ERPs of granting agencies
• maintains knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply sponsor, institutional and departmental policies:
• independently negotiates and manages research grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts with international granting agencies in line with institutional legal and regulatory requirements.
• excellent working experience with all types of award mechanisms, including grants, contracts, subcontracts, cooperative agreements, sub-awards, and Purchase Orders,
• timely completion of University’s due diligence process

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.