Research Compliance Officer

Research Compliance Officer

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Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

The Research Compliance Program (RCP) within the Office of the Vice Provost for Research provides research compliance support to select schools and units across campus. The program covers a broad spectrum of activities, including financial conflicts of interest, outside activities, export controls, and international collaborations and activities. The program works in close collaboration with the research community and the relevant administrative units (e.g., School research administration offices, the Office for Sponsored Programs, the Office of Technology Development, the Office of the General Counsel) to ensure timely service delivery and compliance with all applicable regulatory, funder, and university requirements.

Reporting to the Senior Director of the Research Compliance Program, the Research Compliance Officer will support constituents in research compliance and policy needs with strong emphasis on financial conflict of interest, export control, international collaborations and other foreign activities, while coordinating and integrating as necessary across other compliance domains. Projects and priorities in the following areas will involve a variety of complex organizational areas and interests and will evolve as needs arise :

Job-Specific Responsibilities :

• Serve as initial point of contact to administer financial conflicts of interest (fCOI) disclosures from faculty and researchers including those submitted when grant proposals are submitted and awarded in order to ensure compliance with the University policies and all applicable sponsor requirements, including regulations issued by the Public Health Service (PHS) and other government agencies.
• Assist the Senior Director in the development and implementation of school-level policies and procedures regarding the impact of research compliance programs on academic and research activities and monitoring school-wide compliance with the same.
• Coordinate with colleagues in partnering Harvard schools and central administration (including the Office of the Vice Provost for Research) to ensure consistent application of school policies and procedures with University policies and federal regulations.
• Train and provide outreach to faculty, students, and staff on regulatory and University policy requirements around fCOI, international collaborations, visiting scholars, travel, and shipping, as well as the technology-specific impacts of export controls both on-campus and abroad.
• Conduct export control reviews for educational and research activities, including classifying technology under U.S. export regulations, screening end-users, determining whether U.S. sanctions apply and collecting and analyzing data regarding the research purposes and potential end-users of Harvard-owned or created technology; Facilitate the deemed export review process in conjunction with academic H1-B visa applications.
• Work closely with the Office for Technology Development (OTD) to evaluate export-control related clauses in agreements, such as MTAs, collaboration agreements, NDAs, CDAs, and equipment loan agreements.
• Coordinate the development of Technology Control Plans, including determining when necessary, working with researchers, students, and staff to understand the requirements and plan accordingly, and reviewing plans submitted by PIs / research teams before submission to OVPR for final approval.
• Represent the research and academic communities on University-wide councils.
• Support local offices and departments in establishing processes for reviewing and approving foreign visitors and appointees.
• Review annual fCOI disclosures from researchers in order to determine whether mitigation or management of any potential conflicts is appropriate.
• Develop fCOI management plans, when required, in order to ensure compliance with the University fCOI policy and all applicable sponsor requirements, including regulations issued by the Public Health Service (PHS) and other government agencies.
• Assist with the financial conflicts of interest (fCOI) disclosure reviews, assessment, and management plan developments in order to ensure compliance with the University fCOI policy and all applicable sponsor requirements, including regulations issued by the Public Health Service (PHS) and other government agencies; Coordinate with and support the Office of Faculty Affairs in fCOI research as it relates to the appointment process.
• Maintain active knowledge of evolving laws, regulations, policies, and ethical norms that are applicable to compliance oversight areas to include U.S. sanctions and export controls, federal funding prohibitions, conflict of interest through continuous professional development; Develop content and guidance for research compliance and other functional areas for online dissemination to include website maintenance.
• Maintain knowledge of and provide input for sponsored research policies, procedures, and guidelines in functional areas to include pre-award, post-award, financial, and research compliance.
• Develop content and guidance for research compliance and other functional areas for online dissemination to include website maintenance.
• Other duties as required.

Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications to be considered for this role : Bachelor's degree required; minimum 5 years in research administration and / or research compliance experience in an academic research setting.

Additional Qualifications and Skills :

Advanced degree with research experience especially a J.D. preferred. Knowledge and experience in research compliance field with strong emphasis on export control and international activities. Excellent interpersonal and oral / written communication skills. Ability to prioritize work in an environment with multiple and competing interests and work independently with minimal supervision. Ability to lead and manage a project from inception to completion with superior results. Handles highly complex and confidential information with discretion. Competency using a variety of computer software and internet search engine tools. Organized and detail oriented with a proactive attitude. Ability to work on multiple projects effectively. Experience with Harvard financial and administrative applications preferred.

Standard Hours / Schedule : 35 hours per week

Visa Sponsorship Information : Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening : Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screenings : Identity, Education

Other Information : This position has a 3-month orientation and review period.

Work Format Details : This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges : This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits : Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to :

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO / Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement : Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.