Vacancies at UCT – Proposal Development Specialist

Job Description:

The main purpose of this position is to support UCT’s academic researchers in identifying, developing and coordinating research funding proposals for submission to mainly international grant funders. Responsibilities include providing strategic advice on executive-driven projects and competitive funding calls, as well as assisting with reviewing and writing non-specialist components of proposals. Strategic advice on funder mandates, policies, priorities and compliance will form an integral part of the role.

Since support will be for mainly international grant proposals, some of which require collaboration with research teams and submission to funding agencies in different time zones, the position will entail flexible working conditions

Job Responsibilities:

• Collecting and fact-checking funding opportunities to distribute to UCT’s researchers
• Liaising with funding agencies to clarify requirements
• Facilitating the successful submission of grant proposals via various submission portals (e.g., NIH ASSIST, Je-S, CC Grant Tracker)
• Providing pre-submission administrative review of proposals to verify compliance with funder requirements
• Together with Senior Proposal Development Specialists and International Grants Coordinators, facilitating proposal activities, data entry, quality control and ensuring that all administrative tasks are completed prior to proposal submission
• Liaising with RC&I, CRF, FHS Research Office and Faculty Finance Offices to define submission processes and help ensure timely and complete submission of proposals in compliance with funder guidelines and UCT’s internal approval processes
• Providing advice to researchers on proposal budget planning in liaison with Faculty Finance Offices
• Acting as a key resource to pre-identified research groupings, developing grant proposals and providing guidance and information to facilitate funding submissions according to UCT’s strategic framework
• Monitoring national and international funding opportunities, including government, foundations and industry, targeted to strategic research grouping activities
• Developing proposal development plans for large multidisciplinary, multi-collaborative grant applications, including developing timelines, checklists, and coordinating inputs from multiple collaborators and co-investigators
• Managing major funding calls with multiple UCT applicants, including assisting with enquiries, supporting documentation, and pre-submission review of proposals
• Identifying and promoting research prizes and award opportunities, identifying suitable candidates and assisting them with their submissions including reviewing and editing components
• Supporting funding opportunities identified by the Executive as part of UCT’s strategic vision, for example, applications for research chairs

Job Requirements:

• A master’s degree or equivalent in any discipline
• Experience working for a higher education institution, research council, research funder or other relevant research organisation or entity
• Writing, editing and proofreading experience
• Experience in applying for research funding, either in an administrative support role or in an academic capacity
• Project managing the development and submission of major research grant proposals to mainly international agencies
• Experience in applying to, or administering proposals for, one or more of the following international funding bodies: UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), European Commission (EC)
• Writing, editing and proofreading experience in an academic setting
• Academic research experience.
• PhD qualification.
• Experience in research management systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent editing and proofreading skills
• Proficient computer skills, particularly word-processing software, spreadsheets and databases, and web-based platforms
• Requisite technical skills to conduct large grant submissions on different online systems
• High levels of initiative and judgement are required, while working within a complex organisational environment
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to handle tight deadlines and perform under pressure
• Excellent project management skills
• Excellent inter-personal skills
• Financial acumen (specifically around developing research proposal budgets)
• Working knowledge of the higher education sector or research councils (either as an academic or administrator)
• Working knowledge of the international research funding landscape

Job Details:

Company: University of Cape Town

Vacancy Type:  Full Time

Job Location: Cape Town

Application Deadline: N/A

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