Research Management Advisor

**The University of Waikato**Te Whare Wananga o Waikato**

**Research Management Advisor - Financial**

**Vision**
We will
- deliver a world-class education and research portfolio
- provide a full and dynamic university experience which is distinctive in character
- pursue strong international linkages to advance knowledge

The over-arching themes of this _Vision_ are:

- Excellence
- Distinctiveness
- International Connectedness

**Values**
Ko te mana o Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato ka herea ki tō tātou:

- Tu ngātahi me te Māori
- Mahi pono
- Whakanui i ngā huarahi hou
- Whakarewa i te hiringa i te mahara

The University of Waikato places a high value on:

- Partnership with Māori
- Commitment to Pacific Success
- Acting with integrity
- Celebrating diversity
- Promoting creativity

**1. GENERAL**

The Research and Enterprise office provides operational support to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor

(Research), leadership in implementing the University’s research strategy, and leadership of the

University’s central research support infrastructure, including identifying research opportunities,

managing research contracts, reporting on those contracts, managing and commercialising intellectual

property resulting from research.

The Research and Enterprise office includes staff working in and between the Research Nodes,

Regional Offices and Central Office.

2. **POSITION PURPOSE**

Provide high quality, accurate and timely support and advice for externally funded research contracts,

focusing on financial budgeting, monitoring and reporting to support researchers, management,

sponsors and students, and other members of the Research Management Advisor group within

Research & Enterprise.

**3. ACCOUNTABILITY**

The Research Management Advisor is responsible to a Senior Research Management Advisor and,

through that person, to the Director, Research & Enterprise.

**4. FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS**:
This role has functional relationships with all parties involved in contract research. These include:
**Internal**:DVC (Research)

Director, Research & Enterprise

Academic researchers

Other Research & Enterprise staff

Heads of School and Deans

Centre and Institute staff

Graduate students (scholarship and study award holders employed on research

contracts)

Staff within Finance and Analytics, Student Services, and HR Management

WaikatoLink staff

**External**:Managers and administrators of research bodies such as MBIE, Marsden Fund, HRC,

TEC, MOE, Government Departments, Local bodies, CRIs, other government

agencies, companies, other tertiary providers, and auditors.

**5. KEY TASKS**

5.1 Financial Management Support
- Support researchers and other Research Management Advisors in understanding the

financial status of their projects.
- Develop and implement costing and budgeting models for research, consultancy and

other projects together with Senior Research Management Advisors.
- Develop financial reporting processes together with Senior Research Management

Advisors.
- Carry out regular and on-request analyses of financial and financially-related aspects of

University projects.

5.2 Relationship Management
- Maintain positive business relationships with external funding providers, Government

departments, industry partners, and other agencies as required.
- Build effective engagement and relationships with School/Faculty, Institute and Centre

leaders (Deans, Heads of School, Directors), staff, and other researchers.
- Maintain a supportive operational relationship with other operations staff, WaikatoLink

staff, Financial Accountants and Student Services.
- Promote interdisciplinary collaborations and networking opportunities as appropriate.

5.3 Funding Application Process
- Facilitate the conduct of consistent business practices, and actions consistent with funding

agency and University policies regarding financial budgets, animal and human ethics, IP

protection, and Māori engagement.

5.4 Contract Management
- Communicate with Division management (Heads of School, Deans, Associate Deans, and

Directors) and researchers in matters related to project and contract management

(including project budgeting and reporting).
- Prepare project financial forecast, variance and other financial reports for internal and

external clients as required.

5.5 Other support
- Provide advice and support to Heads of School, Deans, and School Managers with their

respective research portfolios, including their annual research budgets.
- Provide training and support for researchers to access financial and other reporting

systems, and with respect to University policies.
- Participate in the maintenance of a safe and healthy work environment for self and others

including students. Comply with and undertake responsibilities set out in the University’s

Health and Safety Policy.

Any other duties as required that are consistent with the position held, other than in exceptional

circumstances such as rehabilitatio