University of Liberia College of Health Sciences

Grants Management Officer

Job Description

INTRODUCTION
This position is located within the University of Liberia College of Health Sciences (ULCHS) Office
of Sponsored Research Services (OSRS) in Monrovia, Liberia. The Grants Management Officer will
report to the UL Vice President for Health Sciences.

The mission of the OSRS is to support basic, clinical, and translational health research in Liberia
by assisting researchers and health professionals through all phases of the process of identifying
research funding announcements, developing research proposals, and administering research
grants and contracts.

DUTIES
The Grants Management Officer provides administrative support, training, and other resources
to help researchers to apply for and receive research grants as well as to meet sponsors’
compliance requirements for grants obtained.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Pre-award
• Work cooperatively with the financial services center, principal investigators (PI), and
project leaders in evaluating, negotiating, and executing the management aspects of grant
and cooperative agreement applications.
• Provide expertise in preparation and administration of grants and subaward agreements,
interpreting the impact of applicable policies, laws, and regulations.
• Assist researchers on the steps needed before submitting a research proposal (e.g.,
developing a research budget based on allowable costs), steps needed when submitting
an electronic research proposal.
• Confirm that applicants and awardees have reported other support, as required by the
sponsor.
• Confirm that applicants and awardees have not exceeded 100% total effort on all support
and (where applicable) have committed at least the minimal effort required by some
funding opportunity mechanisms.
• Review applications and ascertain the allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and
consistency of recommended costs prior to submission to a funding agency.
 • Evaluate budget justifications and financial arrangements, including cost analysis, review
of accounting systems, adequacy of resources, acceptability of milestones, and techniques
proposed to ensure responsible stewardship of funds.
• Submit research grant and contract applications on behalf of the ULCHS.

• Provide advice and guidance on the administrative aspects of partnership agreements

including cooperative agreements, cost-share agreements, participating agreements,
collection agreements, interagency and intra-agency agreements, procurement contracts,
and/or memoranda of understanding.
• Assist in the resolution of administrative issues related to applications or awards.
• Develop and maintain a system to track the ULCHS research grant portfolio as well as
funding agency submission deadlines, required approvals (e.g., IRB approval), submission
of information to funders, and conflict-of-interest documentation.

Post-award
• Participate in the planning and business management of the full range of active research
grants, grant submissions, and sub-awards.
• Prepare and submit funding-related reports required by the UL and sponsors.
• Manage requests from PIs (e.g., change of Principal Investigator (PI), no-cost extensions,
re-budgeting, personnel requests, sub-contractor agreements).
• Manage grant close out activities (e.g., final progress report, end-of-grant reporting, other
sponsor specific requirements)
• Work continuously with the UL finance and business offices (e.g., accounting,
reconciliation, purchasing, release of funds, purchase agreements, audits)
• Review requested budget changes and approve those that are consistent with funding
agency’s policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with terms and conditions of grants/agreements, negotiates with
grantees to resolve problems of fund obligations, and works with the funding agency’s
officials to determine what action should be taken.
• Comply and meet all post-submission requirements, preparing post-award progress
reports and other annual reports as appropriate.
• Continually track the pace of expenditures, prevent over expenditures, and alert the PI of
potential shortfalls.
• Assure all expenditures comply with allowable cost guidelines set forth by the funders.

Training and Assistance

• Serve as the central source of research grants and contracts
policy expertise for researchers.
 • Provide IRB administrative support • Provide training on, e.g.:
o Grant preparation activities
o Allowable costs on Research misconduct

Administrative functions
• Create and maintain a Grants Management Manual of Operations and a Policy Manual
• Serve as the administrative center for the UL IRB (on-board members, arrange for IRB
member training, schedule IRB meetings, prepare materials and reports)
• Maintain compliance and certification requirements for researchers
• Maintain a searchable list of current funding opportunities
• Establish a system for retention of records, documents and other supporting evidence
necessary to evaluate the scientific activity on grant-supported projects

QUALIFICATIONS
• Master’s degree in a relevant field (health sciences, research, business administration).
• Experience in grant management, grant proposal preparation, and/or compliance.
• Knowledge of the mission, objectives, programs, and priorities of ULCHS and affiliated
research institutions in Liberia, such as the National Public Health Institute of Liberia and
John F. Kennedy Medical Center.
• Familiarity with research funding agency compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of various accounting, budget, and information management systems.
• Skill in resolving diverse viewpoints through compromise or development of realistic and
appropriate alternatives.
• Skills in planning and problem solving.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically, both orally and in writing.
• Interpersonal skills in presenting recommendations and negotiating solutions to disputed
recommendations, accounting methods, or spending practices.
• Training will be provided for the motivated candidate.

All applications must be received by mail to: juahdoe25@gmail.com zeiglerfw@ul.edu.lr copied

chelsea.plyler@yale. NOT LATER THAN 5PM on September 1, 2020