Contracts Officer - Stirling, United Kingdom - University of Stirling

University of Stirling

Verified Company

Stirling, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

Post Details
Full time
Open ended

Interviews are expected to take place week commencing Monday 22 January 2024.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a role under SOC code 3543.

The Post

The Contracts Officer will provide support and advice to our research and innovation community on the contractual obligations and requirements for research and related business activity.

This role will be part of a team delivering on legal and compliance requirements within Research, Innovation and Business Engagement (RIBE), supporting the delivery of a more resilient and responsive service to cope with the rapidly growing volume of research, innovation, international and other university agreements.

The role holder will work in close partnership with professional services colleagues within RIBE and with academic colleagues across the University.

Description of Duties

To draft, review and negotiate research and innovation contracts with the support of the Contracts Manager, including but not limited to collaboration agreements, confidentiality agreements, data sharing and processing agreements, service and consultancy agreements, studentships and material transfer agreements
To provide clear, pragmatic advice on the implications of contractual terms within the context of the research, using a working knowledge of contract issues, such as confidentiality, publication requirements, intellectual property, liability and other related issues
Act as a specialist contact point on a daytoday basis for all queries relating to contracts, providing robust, yet proportionate guidance. Putting forward recommendations, within specific parameters/professional guidelines, to support informed decision making
To support the Contracts Manager in maintaining a suite of draft standard contracts and providing guidance and training to colleagues across the University
Required to proactively and reactively liaise with internal and external stakeholders, such as third sector organisations and commercial partners and networks of relevant professional staff within other Universities in order to build relationships, disseminate information and coordinate activities in a timely and effective manner
Identify gaps in and contribute to the development of contracts processes at the University in response to researchers needs and external requirements
Engage in own professional development activities to keep on top of rapidly evolving legislative and regulatory requirements relating to research contracts, including data protection and intellectual property
Manage and maintain records to ensure easy and accurate reporting and information handling, while also supporting and implementing best practices in administrative processes related to research contracts
Undertake such other duties, commensurate with the nature and grade of the role, as may be required

Essential Criteria

Educated to degree level or equivalent (where no formal qualifications are held, additional, relevant experience is required) or employment experience across a range of roles with increasing levels of responsibility
Experience of working successfully in the area of contracts support with relevant practical experience
Experience of working successfully within complex regulations / frameworks
Ability to initiate processes and procedures to resolve new problems. Anticipates possible implementation difficulties and identifies practical ways of overcoming or preventing them
Proven ability to formulate clear advice and guidance relevant to research support and summarise complex ideas or information which may be highly detailed, technical or specialist
Highly organised with the ability to work with strong attention to detail, accuracy, and within specified deadlines
Ability to consider the broader impact, assess outcomes with limited data, and recognise when to decide or defer
Excellent skills in communicating effectively at all levels both orally and in writing, with the ability to communicate using a wide range of styles appropriate to different individuals, groups and situations
Ability to work independently and with initiative but to also operate successfully in team and wider collaborative contexts
Ability to build proactively productive and enduring relationships between internal and/or external bodies to benefit the University
Advanced knowledge, understanding and competence using a variety of IT systems

Desirable Criteria

Knowledge of the current research landscape and of the wider context relevant to Higher Education, along with the capability to understand the impact on the ongoing operation and development of the role's area of responsibility
Experience of using research management systems, such as Worktribe
Professional training, ideally a formal qualification delivered by a professional body, such as ARMA
Experience working as a solici