Job description

The School of Education, Communication and Society is renowned for its expertise in science and mathematics education; language, culture and communication; and public policy. We wish to appoint a School Research Officer to play a key role in the support and development of our School s research portfolio. If you are a diligent individual who enjoys working with a variety of people and are seeking to develop your research administration experience, this role is for you.

We offer the opportunity to be part of a small and dynamic professional services team, supporting ground-breaking research in a world-famous institution. You will work with academics, using and developing your skills on a broad range of internally and externally funded research projects. You will also be liaising with different internal departments such as Finance, Human Resources and the Research Management and Innovation Directorate.

At King s, we are deeply committed to embedding good equality and diversity practice into all our activities so that the university is an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring place to work and study, King s offers inclusive benefits to staff including flexible working, Enhanced Parental Leave, funds for Parents and Carers and the potential to join community staff networks.

This post will be offered on a full-time, indefinite contract from 1st September, or a close approximation to this date.

Key responsibilities

• To assist Principal Investigators (PIs) and the College Research Management and Innovation Directorate in ensuring all eligible direct and indirect costs have been reported in the post award management of a grant or consultancy and under the appropriate cost headings, in line with current costing guidelines and with the funding terms and conditions.
• To ensure that the School is compliant with university and funding bodies financial policies and regulations and related external regulations e.g. UK government legislation regarding eligibility to work in the UK.
• To work closely with the PIs to manage and record milestones, deliverables and final reports.
• To provide support/assistance to the School Research Manager on the preparation of research proposals for large and/or strategic bids as required. For example, multi-funded projects with complex funding models, which may require attendance at meetings with academics.
• To manage the general day-to-day administration of specific School research grants and act as first point of contact for post award administration specifically in relation to procurement and expenses. To ensure that purchase orders are received in accordance with College policy and that the School is compliant with end of financial procedures on research activity codes.
• To ensure that new suppliers are added to the college finance system in accordance with policy and procedures, IR35 checks are completed when appropriate and preferred methods of payment for work offered are determined before work commencement, and all Right to Work checks completed.
• To book travel and accommodation in accordance with College policy and procedures and ensure that the appropriate School office holders can ensure compliance with risk assessments and health and safety policy.
• To create and maintain rigorous administrative systems to monitor research expenditure against targets, to enable the Principal Investigators and School Research Manager to demonstrate that projects have been well managed and have complied with the terms and conditions of the funders.
• To provide support for the organisation and administration of research grant funded events and School research-related events e.g. School research away days, School research seminar series and Impact events, as required.
• To establish and maintain effective working relationships with relevant staff within the School Professional Services team and other central services e.g. University Research Offices, with related responsibilities to ensure efficient processing and management of grant awards, e.g. linking with colleagues who support School health and safety activities.
• In conjunction with the School Research Manager, to maintain the School s Research accounting procedures and processes, providing timely and accurate management information and monitoring account balances proactively by ensuring rigorous and systematic administration of the research portfolio. This includes processing expenditure and monitoring both internal and external budgets, and producing expenditure reports with 6 months and 3 months to go on a project, and present these to the relevant Principal Investigators in a meaningful report, making effective use of appropriate systems, e.g. Worktribe, Business World
• To manage the temporary research staff through King s Talent Bank, authorising their weekly time sheets and updating the logs accordingly.
• To prepare accurate costs with optimization of cost recovery in mind.
• To provide administrative support for post-award contracts/service agreements as required, e.g. uploading and initiating contract reviews via Worktribe, working with School Research Manager and School Business Manager as required for more complex cases.
• To assist with recruitment for research funded staff for both internal and externally funded projects.
• To support School Research Committee meetings as required, including the taking of minutes
• To provide a full range of support for the Research Excellence Framework, working closely with the School Research Manager, Unit of Assessment lead and Impact lead.
• To be a proactive member of the School team and share good practice. Networking with peers in other Schools both within and beyond SSPP is encouraged. The post holder will be encouraged to participate in regular training and event relating to changes in the research landscape.
• To undertake other reasonable duties that may be requested by the School Research Manager and Head of School Administration.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

1. Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.

2. Proficient IT skills (including databases, Excel, Word and PowerPoint).

3. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with evidence of building good working relationships with stakeholders at all levels both internally and externally.

4. Excellent administration and organisational skills and a high level of numeracy.

5. Experience of organising medium-sized events.

6. Ability to manage time effectively, work flexibly and prioritise workload, often under pressure of tight grant deadlines.

7. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

8. High degree of attention to detail.

9. Ability to manage confidential matters discreetly.

10. Experience in university administration either within a programme or research administrative role.

Desirable criteria

1. Experience of using financial administrative software (e.g. Unit4).

2. Experience of managing grants and financial planning.

3. Good knowledge and familiarisation with university policies and procedures including financial