Specialist - Research Grants

JOB SUMMARY:

The Specialist - Research Grants oversees the financial and accounting aspects of research grant awards. The incumbent assists the Manager - Accounting in all aspects of research financial administration, both pre-and post-award. S/he monitors monthly spending on a grant-by-grant basis using financial systems and financial data and assures sponsor terms and conditions compliance. The Specialist - Research Grants is responsible for ensuring that Grants accounting activities are completed on schedule and following month-end close protocols. The post holder contributes to the project system and reports enhancements in Oracle Fusion or comparable applications.

KEY ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Oversees the financial aspects of grants and funding received by Sidra Medicines' research department and ensure compliance with all regulations, terms, and conditions specified by grantors or funding agencies.
• Ensures that monthly financial transactions relating to Grants from Oracle sub-ledgers (i.e. Payroll, Payables, etc) are accurately and timely reflected in the Projects module in Oracle. This also includes the revenue and expenditure recognition accurately reflected in the General Ledger. 
• Issues and discrepancies relating to the ERP system or grants accounting are reported and resolved promptly with the respective stakeholders.
• Tracks and monitors the cost of core labs, ensuring cost reallocations within departments and external billings are made promptly.
• Allocates project cost allocation within Oracle Fusion to assign expenditure accurately to projects and subsequently generate project billings for revenue recognition.
• Participates in creating, updating, and maintaining financial data in Oracle Fusion for the chart of accounts, project structures, and grant details for external and internal funding projects.
• Reviews terms and conditions of new awards for issues involving allowable costs, re-budgeting and reporting requirements, confidentiality clauses, research staff time and effort monitoring, cost sharing, equipment justification, and ensures compatibility with sponsoring entities' terms and conditions as well as Sidra Medicine's policies and procedures.
• Recommends and maintains various internal controls for grants and research funds, including reviewing and/or approving grant documentation and ensuring financial transaction accuracy.
• Prepares and distributes financial reports and updates to relevant stakeholders, including management, grantors, and project teams, about the activities of research funds and related expenditures.
• Prepares reports for presentation and submission to prospective research sponsors and stakeholders.
• Gathers and provides data for research and grant-related financial reports, budgets, research fund reconciliations, forecasting analysis, and ad-hoc research reports as needed.
• Continuously monitors grant and project compliance, proactively addressing any issues or discrepancies.
• Participates with Grant Accounting in award termination process to close out accounts, including final financial reporting, reconciliation, and return any unspent funds as required—Notifies Research Administration team of final status.
• Attends administrative meetings and participates in committees and working groups for Research and Grant activities as requested.
• Supports the manager in managing all phases of post-award grants and research contracts administration, including monitoring budgets, expenses, and recovered overheads.
• Assists the accounting manager in developing and revising policies and procedures for managing grant finances and creating research proposals.
• Assisted with grant- and project-related audits, ensures that all necessary documentation and records were readily available.
• Prepares training materials and delivers training to Research and Grants on accounting rules and reporting adopted by Sidra.
• Keeps detailed records of all financial transactions, grant agreements, project documents, and related correspondence. This includes compliance with document retention policies and regulations for grants and projects.
• Maintains collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders, including issue resolution and sharing of information with other areas in Finance and within the organization as a whole.
• Participates in professional development activities and maintains professional affiliations.
• Adheres to Sidra's standards as they appear in the Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policies
• Adheres to and promotes Sidra's Values

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

5+ years' experience in an accounting/ finance position with exposure to financial preparation and data analysis inclusive of

• Experience in an environment with a well-developed financial information and reporting system
• Experience in Grant & Research Fund Accounting

• Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience in grant accounting standards, policies, procedures, governmental regulations, and industry best practices.
• Experience using an Oracle Fusion ERP System

• Demonstrated knowledge of IFRS/GAAP
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial ERP systems
• Demonstrated problem solving skills
• Demonstrated organizational & prioritizing skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative working relationships with internal and external customers
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite
• Fluency in written and spoken English