The Office of Commercial Services is seeking to appoint an experienced Project Officer to administer externally funded contracts for consultancies and research projects. This hands-on position liaises extensively with internal and external clients, and staff at all levels of the University.
| Position Title: | Project Officer |
| Vacancy Reference No: | 28386 |
| Closing Date: | 6 October 2008 |
| Department / Division: | Office of Commercial Services |
| Campus: | Gardens Point |
| Classification/Salary Range: | $53 253 to $57 660 pa (HEW6) |
| Plus Superannuation: | 17% employer contribution |
| Status: | Ongoing appointment |
| Contact Name and Title: | Alison Elphick, Project Officer |
| HR Contact and Title: | Silke Morrison, Senior HR Advisor |
DUTY STATEMENT
Context of the Position
The Project Officer position is located within the Office of Commercial Services, which is one of three Offices located within the Division of Research and Commercialisation. Other areas of divisional responsibility include the Office of Research and the Research Students Centre.
The Office of Commercial Services (OCS) has specific responsibilities in key areas that underpin achievement of university objectives particularly in the QUT Research and Innovation Plan. These include (over the period to 2011):
Increase external research income to $100M per annum (including 20 per cent from international sources) which will require a targeted increase of 25 per cent per annum in the early years of this plan
Continue to target substantial increased investment towards research capacity building in key thematic areas
Be amongst the top 5 universities in the country for managing R&D activities with commercial potential as measured by its ability to translate research expenditure into commercial outcomes
OCS has a key responsibility in leading, integrating and coordinating a range of strategic initiatives within the University around the generic areas of research capacity building and research impact outcomes reflected in recent government initiatives.
Purpose of Position
The Commercial Research and Consultancy Projects Unit within the Office of Commercial Services (OCS) administers financial aspects of consultancies and commercial research projects totalling around 400 to 450 at any one time. These projects are administered by three Project Officers with the support of two Project Support Officers.
The Project Officer in the Office of Commercial Services is required to administer externally funded contracts for consultancies and research projects. This hands-on position liaises extensively with internal and external clients, and staff at all levels of the University.
The position will be a prime representative for coordinating and providing guidance on established University consultancy and commercialisation policies and associated processes with a view to providing appropriate levels of quality service. This hands-on position will liaise extensively with internal and external clients, and suppliers, and will be expected to work closely with Faculty academic and professional staff to ensure that programs and consultancies are coordinated accurately and effectively, and to a high standard. To complement these responsibilities, the Project Officer will also be expected to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current industry and sector developments with regards to these fields of expertise.
Organisational Relationships
The Project Officer reports to the Senior Project Officer and actively collaborates with the Business Managers, as part of a small coordinated team of consultancy professionals within the Office of Commercial Services. The position will establish close links with other areas of the University such as Faculty senior, academic, and professional staff, the Human Resources Department, and the Division of Finance and Resource Planning. Another major component of this role will see the Project Officer working with a range of Division of Research and Commercialisation representatives in a customer service role. External contacts may include staff from other universities and public and private sector groups including government departments.
Duties include:
- Provision of consultancy advice to senior managers, academics and professional staff within the client groups; assisting with the development of consultancy processes; and providing data for inclusion within project-specific reports.
- Liaise with the academic and professional staff regarding financial and administrative matters pertaining to specific consultancy and research projects. Additionally, the Project Officer is required to liaise with the Human Resources Department, Division of Finance and Resource Planning, and other staff within the Division of Research and Commercialisation.
- Use of University systems i.e. Oracle Financials, Research Master, Business Objects, to support management of accounts. This includes developing and reviewing project budgets from a project’s inception to undertaking financial reconciliations.
- Maintaining accurate written and electronic project records.
- Preparation of written correspondence which include letters and memoranda, relevant to the administration of the project.
- Maintaining a broad awareness of consultancy and commercialisation issues across the higher education sector and the ability to translate these issues internally at the designated client group level.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of systems and practices within the Office of Commercial Services.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential:
- Education, training and/or relevant experience equivalent to a degree in business or a related discipline with subsequent relevant experience.
- Demonstrated experience in project administration, including proven experience preparing accurate budgets, reconciliations and financial statements.
- Demonstrated communication skills with the ability to effectively liaise with clients including academic, professional, and senior University staff including demonstrated written communication skills with ability to review a range of written material including reports, submissions, and memoranda correspondence.
- Knowledge of, or ability to quickly acquire knowledge of, relevant policies and procedures applicable to the higher education sector together with experience in interpreting, advising and implementing such policies and procedures.
- Demonstrated time management and organisational skills with a proven ability to prioritise tasks to meet competing deadlines with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail in the context of minimal supervision.
- Demonstrated ability to work both individually and to work effectively in a team environment in order to provide quality client service and contribute positively and equitably to a work environment focused on effective and improved work practices, and realization of Divisional plans.
- Demonstrated computer literacy skills using a range of computer packages (eg, Research Master, Microsoft Office, WWW and e-mail) including the ability to access electronic data files (eg, Oracle Financials) with a strong emphasis on accuracy.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of University accounting procedures.
- Experience working in a University environment.
HOW TO APPLY
Please provide:
- Application Cover Sheet (doc, 60kb or pdf, 17kb)
- Applicants are encouraged to systematically address the selection criteria.
- Your current resume – including the names and contact details of referees.
Forward your application to jobapplications@qut.edu.au quoting vacancy ref no. 28386 by 6 October 2008.
Prior to submitting your application please review information regarding immigration requirements, workplace health and safety, equal employment opportunity, non-smoking policy and relocation available at
http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/jobs/information.jsp.
After the closing date, you can check the status of the recruitment process. QUT is an equal opportunity employer and employer of choice for women.