Senior Contract Specialist and Export Control Officer

About the role

The Senior Contract Specialist and Export Control Officer (SCSECO) is responsible for managing a comprehensive pre-award portfolio and supporting the University's research administration, contracting, export control, and secure research compliance activities. This position serves as a key resource for faculty, staff, and administrators in the development and submission of externally funded proposals, as well as the review and negotiation of research-related agreements.

The SCSECO assists principal investigators with all aspects of proposal development and submission, including interpretation of sponsor guidelines, proposal budget development and review, completion of sponsor-required forms, certifications and assurances, collection of subrecipient documentation, and review of proposal packages for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with sponsor and institutional requirements. The position ensures the timely completion of internal approvals and assists with the submission of proposals to federal, state, industry, and foundation sponsors.

The SCSECO reviews, negotiates, and facilitates the execution of research-related agreements, including sponsored research agreements, industry and government contracts, non-disclosure agreements, memoranda of understanding, material transfer agreements, teaming agreements, data use agreements, and other research-related documents. This role works closely with institutional leadership, legal counsel, and sponsoring organizations to clarify terms and conditions and ensure consistency with university policies and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

The position researches and applies relevant laws, regulations, sponsor requirements, and institutional policies related to sponsored programs, contracting, export controls, and research security.

Responsibilities include supporting the University's Export Control Program and assisting with compliance requirements related to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), research security, foreign influence and disclosure requirements, technology control plans, restricted research, and other federal regulations governing sensitive and secure research activities.

The SCSECO provides guidance and training to faculty and staff regarding export control, research security, and sponsor compliance requirements and assists with institutional efforts to expand participation in secure and government-sponsored research programs.

This is not a remote position.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining a secure research environment for FTRI by supporting compliance with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) requirements, technology control plans, sponsor security requirements, and other federal regulations governing sensitive, restricted, and classified research.
• Assist faculty, administrators, & staff with proposal preparation & submission; review sponsor requirements; develop & negotiate award terms & conditions; secure required institutional approvals; coordinate with principal investigators, departments, & sponsors to ensure compliance and process award modifications, budget revisions, & NCEs.
• Assist with the export control duties to ensure its industry, research and scholarly activities are conducted in compliance with the US export control laws and regulations, and monitor the university's conflict of interest program.
• Work with the principal investigators, department administrators and the sponsors during the term of the award to ensure compliance with grant terms. Submit requests for modification, no-cost extensions, budget revisions and other activities.
• Develop, negotiate, and maintain various agreements, including but not limited to sponsored research agreements (e.g. master agreements, SBIRs/STTRs, and subawards), confidentiality, material transfer, collaboration, and teaming agreements.
• Research and apply rules, laws, and policies concerning higher education contracts. Assist with the development and implementation of Sponsored Program Policies and Procedures and research compliance policies and procedures (export controls, COI, RCR, etc.) that are consistent with Federal and State laws.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent knowledge obtained through a combination of education, training and experience)
• Minimum 5-8 years of experience required in area of expertise

Preferred Certifications

Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Export Compliance Professional (CECP), Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) (preferred for secure research environments), NCURA Research Security Certificate, NCURA Export Controls Certificate

Preferred Skills

Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200, ITAR, EAR, OFAC sanctions regulations, deemed export requirements, foreign national participation reviews, restricted party screening, NPSM-33 requirements, CHIPS and Science Act research security provisions, foreign influence and foreign talent program regulations, research security training requirements, DoE, DoD, NSF, and NIH security mandates.

CUI categorization and marking requirements, controlled environment requirements, data handling and safeguarding procedures, incident reporting requirements, Technology Control Plans (TCPs), establishing secure research environments, conducting facility and project security reviews.