Compliance Officer

The Office of Sponsored Programs, Contracts and Grants' primary purpose is to support Elizabeth City State University's research mission by: 1) assisting faculty, staff and students in the procurement of grants, contracts and cooperative agreements from external sponsors; 2) promoting faculty involvement in collaborative research and partnerships; 3) administering the university's Title III and SAFRA Programs to strengthen its infrastructure; and 4) ensuring that its privilege of receiving external support is protected.

The Compliance Officer (CO) is responsible for managing the federally and university mandated compliance areas of human participation in research, animal use in research, use of hazardous materials in research, conflict of interest, technology transfer, and misconduct in science. The position is expected to interact on a frequent basis with faculty involved in research and grant writing, university committees responsible for compliance, and administrative personnel who are involved in policy design and implementation. Interaction with outside organizations (both prime and sub) will be frequent and detailed. The CO is responsible for ensuring that the university remains in compliance with federal, university, and sponsor regulations to minimize the university's risk of adverse findings that could lead to suspension of research and debarment from the receipt of federal funding.

The CO assists faculty, staff, and students in preparing protocols for certification of compliance and develops and conducts workshops and seminars for faculty, staff, and student researchers relative to compliance. The position oversees compliance committees and boards such as the Institutional Review Board ( IRB), the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee ( IACUC), the Institutional Hazardous Waste and Materials Committee ( IHWMC), and the Technology Transfer Committee. This position oversees the preparation and updating of university assurances as well as policy and procedure manuals for individuals involved in research activities at ECSU. The position also assists in the Pre-Award process by maintaining and enhancing professional relationships to increase creditability for building support.

Demonstrate the ability to identify potential issues/problems and implement controls to avoid future issues.

Demonstrate the ability to develop and monitor program/project databases, schedules and reports; ensure accuracy of data and compliance with program standards; perform professional program administrative duties, including technical decisions; collaborate in the development and completion of grants and contracts; administer pre- and post-award agreements; and prepare related reports as required.

Consultation: Demonstrate the ability to advise and collaborate with clients, program participants, and others to resolve difficult issues in assigned program area(s); identify trends; recognize the impact of policies, procedures, and laws; apply knowledge and understanding of program culture, issues, and work relationships to address situations; share knowledge and critical thinking process; promote the use of best practices to achieve mutually agreeable outcomes in the resolution of issues; and determine and document a course of action to address complex, ambiguous or unique operational and/or programmatic issues in assigned area(s).

Information Analysis and Decision-Making: Demonstrate the ability to analyze business operations and/or financial statements for overall program administration; and develop initiatives to meet program/project needs and objectives.

Possess the ability to assess and resolve unprecedented problems that require research and review of policy and procedures for the program or assigned components; and resolve problems or compliance issues, based on delegated authority.

Communication and Marketing: Possess the ability to maintain and enhance professional relationships to increase credibility for building support and reaching consensus when explaining and interpreting program policies and procedures within assigned area(s); convey sensitive information or decisions to clients; work toward mutual resolutions that are in the best interests of the organization and across organizational lines; promote and market assigned area(s) and persuade clients of the needs and beneficial outcomes of the program; plan and implement marketing strategies and functions; and apply creativity to development of strategies and functions.

Leadership: Possess the ability to develop and manage a program/project plan; provide consultation on issues and requests from clients; consult with higher-level professionals to discuss alternative solutions; and develop and implement short-term strategies consistent with program goals.

Possess a Master's degree in Public Administration, Health Sciences, Life Sciences, or a related discipline with experience and/or coursework in management, research and legal/regulatory issues are preferred with a minimum of three years' progressive experience with regulatory compliance issues related to university based research and sponsored programs. Previous experience with regulatory compliance in a university or government setting also preferred.

This position is Exempt from the State Human Resources Act.

Elizabeth City State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate in access to its educational programs and activities, or with respect to hiring or the terms and conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, political affiliation, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or sexual orientation.

Any offer of employment to a successful candidate will be conditioned upon the University's receipt of a satisfactory criminal background report.

Proper documentation of identity and eligibility for employment will be required before the hiring process can be completed. ECSU is an E-Verify participant.