SENIOR RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS PROCESS ANALYST

Occupational Summary

This position provides support to the sponsored projects financial compliance monitoring team and is responsible for associated data analysis within the Office of Post Award Administration.  Responsible for performing complex data and process analysis functions, documenting existing processes and making recommendations based on best practices and appropriate data. Evaluate impact of process changes in terms of criteria that may include customer service, effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance criteria. This position identifies and acquires key data elements from Duke’s research and financial management systems, working with their team leadership to structure and execute all related analytic models to monitor and improve the institutional risk environment.   This position will also develop new compliance monitoring reports and performance visualizations in response to risk areas identified in coordination with office leadership.

This position will have an opportunity to work remotely. All Duke University remote workers must reside in one of the following states or districts: Arizona; California; Florida; Georgia; Hawaii; Illinois; Maryland; Massachusetts; Montana; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Pennsylvania; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; Virginia or Washington, DC.

Work Performed

• Conduct data collection for all compliance monitoring risk elements based on scheduled analysis and reporting requirements
• Contribute and execute the design and implementation of new analytic models required to support institutionally-identified financial compliance measures
• Conduct special risk data collection and analysis based on needs identified by office and institutional leadership
• Create and maintain specialized databases and queries to meet monitoring needs. Provide written reports and deliver presentations consistent with the scope of the work.
• Evaluate data collection and data analysis processes to provide a foundation and document inefficiencies or gaps in existing processes to recommend specific changes to achieve improved efficiencies and recommend improvements/changes to management. Lead efforts for analytical reviews.
• Support the development of Tableau and other data visualization/presentation models for institutional leadership and the Duke research administration community
• Assist with implementation of emerging business improvement processes, business intelligence tools and related systems.
• Deliver the customer support standard of excellence through common understanding of research administration goals, proactive listening and professional responses 
• Partner with internal and external resources to drive change process, assisting with communications and training requirements as necessary.  Mine Federal audit and Single Audit results and findings to identify critical current risk areas, to inform communication and training focus areas.
• Assist supervisor and other colleagues in the coaching and support of department leadership and staff with respect to preparedness assessments, creation of new standard operating procedures and development of relevant metrics. Conduct training efforts in support of approved initiatives.
• Assist in ensuring compliance with policies set forth by the University and/or external agencies
• Maintain knowledge of changes involving internally and externally imposed policies and procedures, including Federal regulations for sponsored program administration and Federal OIG audit workplans
• Perform other assignments as requested by office leadership

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training:    Work requires communications, analytical and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.

Successful completion of Introduction to Duke Accounting and Business Practice, Introduction to Duke General Ledger (GL) Accounts, Basic Compliance, Research Administration at Duke, Introduction to SAP at Duke, SAP University Reporting: Sponsored Projects within first six months of hire is required.

Experience:    Four years of related process analysis, activity assessment/redesign. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Skills:    Business process analysis competencies including advanced topics with Excel and/or enterprise data management systems.

Demonstrated experience with process mapping, evaluation of inefficiencies and the identification of creative and cost-effective alternatives.
Evidence of success both as an individual contributor and as a member of cross- functional teams.

Systems
•    Ability to learn and apply changing technologies related to research administration management and data analytics/visualization (Power BI, Tableau, etc.)
•    Working knowledge of organizational financial and research administrative systems (SAP, SPS or other similar systems)
•    Working knowledge of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point)

Knowledge
•    Understanding and application of Federal and sponsor specific regulations/laws and guidance relating to extramural funding (e.g., Uniform Guidance – 2 CFR 200; Department of Health and Human Services; National Science Foundation; Department of Defense; additional Federal and non-Federal sponsors) 
•    Understand the management requirements of broadly represented aspects of Federal financial research compliance to develop strategies for data extraction, analysis and presentation/visualization for compliance monitoring
•    Ability to interpret and apply post award guidance from Duke University policies and procedures 
•    Understanding and application of basic internal control concepts, including adequacy and completeness in documentation

Communication
•    Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with all levels of the organization 
•    Understand when to escalate issues to leadership, when necessary 
•    Ability to recognize and reach out to partnering offices within the larger Duke organization to solve problems and collaborate on research administration matters

Analytical
•    Ability to analyze data, formulate conclusions and provide summary level reports as needed
•    Understand and be able to translate concepts to identify and compile data needed for compliance monitoring

Organizational
•    Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects/tasks simultaneously
•    Ability to work as a team member and individually, depending upon the tasks or goals at hand  

Team Player
•    Willingness to be a team leader or collaborator utilizing appropriate time/resource management having a high regard of personal responsibility with respect for confidentiality

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.