Finance Coordinator-Indigenous Ecology Lab

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Job Profile

Job Title

Department

Compensation Range

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge qualifications and experience for the the normal course employees will be hired transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

At UBC we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research innovation and learning for all faculty staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Indigenous Ecology Lab is part of the Belowground Ecosystems Group in the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia. We apply an Indigenous relational worldview to ecological restoration. Our work is community-based and co-generated by Indigenous communities looking to heal and reclaim food systems for all relations. We work together to reclaim revitalize adapt and practice traditional stewardship that offers important solutions to building resiliency into our forest ecosystems and communities. The application of an Indigenous worldview to land healing puts the focus of our work on relationships shaping lands guided by community needs and values and honouring the stories of the past present and future.

The Finance Coordinator is responsible for the effective and efficient operations of the Indigenous Ecology Lab in the areas of financial management budget preparation internal controls oversight as well as all specific financial purchasing and administrative policies and procedures. This position acts as the labs resource person for all financial issues and is the point person for all tri-council and other projects within the research group ensuring the completion of all financial paperwork for the grants are processed in a timely manner manages the administrative human resources organizational and communication aspects of the research lab. The successful candidate will have proven management skills with exposure to complex research environments and multi-institutional funding collaborations.

Organizational Status

This position reports directly to the Principal Investigator of the Indigenous Ecology Lab Dr. Jennifer Grenz. The individual will interact closely with the Administrative Manager of the Department of Forest Resources Management as well as other UBC administrators and other organizations administrators. This position works closely with staff in UBC Financial Operations Procurement Research Finance Office of Research Services University-Industry Liaison Office etc.

Work Performed

• Provide financial leadership for projects ensuring compliance with institutional policies and practices and funding agency regulations

• Management of a large number of research grants program codes project codes and donations; resolves problems with the appropriate office i.e. Financial Services Research Finance ORS UILO Payroll Procurement and other related units on UBCV campus.

• Develop and manage annual project budgets conduct budget forecasting variance analysis and financial reporting.

• Draft budget documentation for all organizations supporting research in the lab including federal provincial governments NSERC SSHRC MITACS industry partners and donors etc. Serves as the lead Is the UBCV contact person with the other organizations to make sure the information is correct and spent according to the budgets that are allocated to each project/grant.

• Manage financial operations across research activities including payroll expense processing financial reporting and conferences workshops and community partnerships.

• Draft financial reports variance assessments and forecasting models to inform decision-making. Implement financial controls and best practices to optimize resource allocation and ensure fiscal accountability

• Engage in business process reviews to effectively implement or enhance accounting procedures financial information flow administrative procedures work flow or internal controls.

• Develop policy standards and procedures with respect to financial and budget issues and ensures they are in line with UBCV tri-council and other relevant institutions financial policies.

• In consultation with Dr. Grenz develop and implement short- and long-term strategic plans financial planning to achieve goals and objectives for research projects.

• Prepares documents and provides advice in development of budgets for funding proposals

• Collaborate with various indigenous communities including Elders Knowledge Keeps and community research to facilitate honoraria and reimbursements.

• Maintain a current knowledge of financial policies and procedures to ensure Investigators are adhering to UBCVtri-council and other relevant institutions financial policies and procedures.

• Performs other related duties commensurate with skills and experience as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Must exercise judgment based upon a thorough knowledge of procedures guidelines and regulations. Errors in judgment may impact the long term financial and operational activities of research grants. Errors in budget calculations and projections could result in significant problems for the project. Errors in financial and human resources document information provided to all parties of the project could delay or cause poor decision making regarding financial resource allocations. Poor management performance in any of these responsibility areas would undermine the coordinated research efforts jeopardize continued funding and threaten the future of the projects as a whole. Prudent and thorough execution of this role will give the projects the greatest chance for success and possible future funding.

Supervision Received

Works directly with Dr. Jennifer Grenz Principal Investigator (PI). Work is performed with minimal supervision. Performs duties independently consulting with the PI of the project only on unusual problems or joint projects.

Supervision Given

Coordinates with FRM staff regarding appointments of all of Dr. Grenzs graduate students postdocs. When required provides guidance and training in financial systems internal controls purchasing best practices and administrative processes to all employed by Dr. Grenz.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Completion of at least 7 of the 14 CPA academic prerequisites. Minimum of two years of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives including perspectives in conflict with ones own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness knowledge and skills related to equity diversity and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with UBC Financial Human Resources and Procurement system Workday.

• Experience with UBC financial practices preferred.

• In-depth knowledge of UBC Policies and Procedures.

• In-depth knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles; experience in financial reporting budget planning and forecasting.

• Financial planning and management skills; Familiarity with University policies and procedures related to budgeting finance procurement internal control and payroll matters.

• A high degree of professionalism initiative tact productivity and integrity.

• Proven multi-tasking skills; ability to work calmly under pressure of critical deadlines or heavy volumes during peak periods.

• Must have excellent analytical skills and be detail-oriented.

• Demonstrated ability to think conceptually and organize new tasks.

• Effective oral and written communication skills including independent composition of correspondence

• Excellent interpersonal problem solving judgment and organizational skills.

• Competence in office software including spreadsheets (advanced level) word processing e-mail and Microsoft Outlook.