Grants Analyst

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

JOB PURPOSE:
The Grants Analyst supports the college’s research mission, provides technical and analytical expertise to Principal Investigators and staff involved in externally funded projects. The position maintains tools that support the University’s Sponsored Programs fiscal and program management, providing high quality customer service, and maintaining effective communication with university offices for problem solving. The position provides guidance and training to faculty and staff in the preparation and submission of sponsor reports for external funding of research projects so that individual faculty members can efficiently use their grant and contract funding in accordance with the research project goals and requirements of the sponsor and policies of Howard University. The individual in this role will help the CEA and the university fulfill their missions and move Howard University closer to meeting its goal of gaining and sustaining the R1 Carnegie Designation. It develops and manages grant administration and management policies and procedures to include assessing future opportunities, short- and long-range planning and lifecycle management. The position reports directly to the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education and supports faculty when requests for deliverables are made by the Office of the Dean for research related financial transactions or activities and assists with bringing them to successful completion.
SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY:
None
NATURE AND SCOPE:
Internal contacts include administrators, faculty, staff, and students in the College of Engineering and Architecture with most of the internal contacts residing in Research Administrative Services, Grants and Contracts, Office of Financial Analysis and Budget, Restricted Accounting, Accounts Payable, Office of Financial Aid, and Office of Procurement and Contracting. External contacts include outside funding agencies, other universities, professional associations, consultants, vendors, alumni, and the public.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
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Provide fiscal support on pre and post award grant processes, identify issues, concerns, and problems, assess compliance and policy requirements, and communicate with Research Administrative Services and Grants and Contracts.
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Counsels faculty as to sponsor regulations and proposal submission requirements and to identify and resolve budget and compliance issues.
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Perform budget and expense analysis, initiate labor distribution changes, reconciliation, rebudgeting, and support grant closeout functions.
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Researches and identifies budget issues, assembles supporting documentation, analyzes options, and makes appropriate recommendations to faculty.
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Reviews transactions and CEA forms to provide account codes for proper accounting.
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Guides faculty on financial policies and procedures.
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Serve in an advisory role to help the CEA departments develop best practices for operational and fiscal management of grant funding.
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Creates, advises and or assists in the design, formation, and preparation of grant documentation, to include creation of computerized statistical summaries.
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Implements and maintains specialized databases and systems for recording and tracking grant proposals, awards, and related statistical information.
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Creates and distributes standard and special reports, summaries and analysis as required.
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Designs, develops, and implements, and interprets grants/assistance management, policies, procedures, and practices.
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Meets with Principal Investigators as grants are awarded to answer questions, and review responsibilities for grant management.
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Implements strategies to optimize the grants administration process within CEA.
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Creates training to new staff and ongoing technical assistance on grants management, reporting requirements and best practices.
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Manages issues, concerns and problems in the CEA grants portfolio and communicate these with the principal investigators and the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education.
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Support program staff as necessary in managing grant requirements and avoiding cost overruns, cost sharing, and unallowable administrative expenses.
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Manage effort reporting requirements and address findings requiring correction through coordination with program staff to submit cost allocations proactively.
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Monitors financial compliance with internal policies on grant funding to ensure proper accounting procedures are followed for federal, state and corporate programs.
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Analyzes department policy and procedures; recommends changes to streamline processes.
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Works with Grants and Contracts to process journal entries for misaligned transactions.
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Ensures coordinated compliance between sponsor and university policies.
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Develops ad hoc financial analysis in response to requests to provide award or departmental support.
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Coordinate with external auditors during the annual financial audit and single audit; guide auditors to source documents, policies, and procedures.
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Manage systems for the reconciliation of grants administration data.
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Maintain knowledge of internal control requirements.
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Works in collaboration with other functional areas to integrate efforts and ensure the most efficient and effective outcomes for grants administration.
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Track and report annual grant revenue and coordinate financial tracking system with the accounting department.
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Coordinate with investigators to ensure timely expenditures of grant funds in compliance with applicable guidelines and budget deadlines.
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Troubleshoots problems, performs vendor/account research as needed and seeks resolution.
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Provides guidance and information for financial transactions, practices, and procedures in compliance with university policies and regulations and provides guidance and instruction for program staff and faculty.
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Support timely submission of the Office of the Dean deliverables through consultation with faculty and staff to include technical assistance.
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Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
CORE COMPETENCIES:
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Knowledge of the grant and contract administration process (pre and post award).
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Knowledge of grant and contract funding policies and procedures and applicable local, state, federal and university regulations.
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Ability to analyze and interpret financial data and prepare reports, statements, and projections.
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Ability to keep abreast of new policies initiated by the federal government, District of Columbia, and the University, and communicate these changes to others.
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Prior experience with grant related budgeting.
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Strong financial systems experience, excellent computer skills, and proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel).
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Ability to deal with confidential information using discretion and judgment.
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Ability to effectively communicate financial information to non-financial managers.
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Ability to multitask and prioritize business needs.
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Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
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Demonstrates consistent attention to details and policies.
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Ability to manage several projects concurrently with varying degrees of complexity.
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Ability to work independently and with other members of the team.
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Ability to identify and recommend solutions to complex problems.