Careers Job Description
General Description
The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational corporation chartered by the State of New York. RFCUNY is the fiscal agent and authorized signatory for the 26 CUNY colleges and professional schools involved in sponsored programs. As the fiscal agent for all such activity at CUNY, the Research Foundation performs a wide variety of administrative tasks, both pre- and post-award, for hundreds of grants and contracts that not only span a broad range of academic disciplines but carry out numerous public purposes.
The Contract Specialist works in the Office of Legal Affairs, an administrative, policy and service unit of the Research Foundation. The Contract Specialist reports to the Senior Contract Paralegal and exercises independent judgment, as delegated, in the fulfillment of the duties and responsibilities assigned. The Contract Specialist will work collegially with other members of the Legal Affairs staff to identify and resolve special problems, assure the provision of the highest quality of customer service, and maintain exemplary standards of personal professional ethics. The Contract Specialist supports the work of other RF units by communicating effectively with staff involved in related projects, by being of assistance to others, and by participating in team-based projects as assigned. The Contract Specialist reviews, drafts and negotiates contracts, grants, subawards and independent contractor agreements in accordance with Foundation policies and procedures. As a resource to the field, the Contract Specialist informs the colleges and project directors about sponsor requirements and issues relating to contract execution.
Other Duties
Reviewing, negotiating and drafting legal documents and other related documentation to ensure such documents comply with:
• the Foundation’s policies and procedures
• applicable sponsor requirements
• applicable legal regulations
• CUNY policies and procedures, and are in the College’s best interest
The Contract Specialist:
• Drafts and processes various subawards in compliance with sponsor and Foundation requirements.
• Reviews requests for independent contractor agreements (“ICA”) and accompanying documentation to ensure proper classification of workers in accordance with IRS regulations.
• Reviews and negotiates grants and contracts, serves as the main liaison with outside contracting representatives, and follows up on contract, subaward and ICA documents to see agreements through to full execution.
• Resolves problems and responds to inquiries from field and sponsor related to applications for awards, document processing, and application of and compliance with Foundation policies and procedures.
• Drafts, negotiates and reviews various other documents requiring execution by Foundation.
• Prepares various reports and summaries under the direction of the Senior Contract Paralegal.
• Reviews all transactions to identify and assess fiscal risks and insurance requirements.
• Routinely informs Senior Contract Paralegal of work progress; provides timely updates on all critical matters; identifies problems and implements solutions.
• Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
• BS or BA Degree
• Superior customer service, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Prior experience in contract review, preparation, negotiation or management (strongly preferred)
• Certificate of Paralegal studies (preferred)
• Experience in grants/contracts administration at a college or university (preferred)
RFCUNY Benefits
RFCUNY Employee Benefits and AccrualsAbout the Research Foundation
The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) is a nonprofit educational corporation founded in 1963 to provide post-award fiscal and administrative support for CUNY’s research and sponsored programs. RFCUNY’s services allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries, on projects and programs that serve our local and global communities, proposing concrete solutions to society’s most pressing challenges.
RFCUNY serves as a fiscal agent and works closely with all the CUNY campus Grants Offices to perform the core functions of post-award financial management for CUNY research projects and sponsored programs. These functions include legal assessment and signing of agreements where RFCUNY is named as a fiscal agent; setting up award accounts; preparing sub-awards and assisting PIs in monitoring the work of the recipients of sub-awards; supporting project directors with hiring and managing research project and sponsored program staff; supporting the purchasing and paying for goods and services with grant and program funds; managing financial aspects of projects including accounts receivable, financial reporting, invoicing, budget monitoring, and cost compliance with uniform guidance; ensuring that sponsor financial requirements are met; monitoring compliance with applicable project and financial management rules and laws; supporting the management of independent and external audits and financial reviews; and providing data, information, management expertise, and other supports to CUNY’s research and sponsored programs.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Key Features
Office of Legal Affairs
Full Time
$72,968.66 - $100,547.37
May 12, 2023 (Or Until Filled)