Graduate Awards Officer

Description

Date Posted: 03/15/2024
Req ID: 36554
Faculty/Division: School of Graduate Studies
Department: School of Graduate Studies
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00024179

Description:

About us:

The mission of the School of Graduate Studies is to promote University-wide excellence in graduate education and research and to ensure consistency and high standards across the divisions. Sharing responsibility for graduate studies with graduate units and divisions, and operating through a system of collegial governance, consultation, and decanal leadership, we define and administer University-wide regulations for graduate education.

The School of Graduate Studies also provides expertise, advice, and information; reviews the design and delivery of programs; develops performance standards; supports diversity, equity, fairness, and ethical conduct in graduate education; organizes services and financial assistance to graduate students; encourages a close and positive relationship between research and graduate instruction; and represents the cause of graduate education at the University of Toronto in the wider academic and general community.

More information about the School of Graduate Studies is at: http://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/Pages/default.aspx

Your opportunity:

Working with a dynamic team under the general direction of the SGS Director, Graduate Awards & Financial Aid, the Graduate Awards Officer, will enhance the quality of student services for graduate students through the development, implementation and delivery of award programs for students at The School of Graduate Studies.

Working under the supervision of the Manager, Graduate Awards and with other members of the Graduate Awards Office team, the incumbent is responsible for overseeing and ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of centrally administered financial assistance, award and graduate funding programs. The Officer serves the graduate community by receiving award applications, interpreting rules, guidelines and procedures, and providing communication and support through every stage of a competition and tenure of the award. The Officer implements plans for award programs and related objectives, communicating with relevant university and external stakeholders regarding eligibility requirements, application process and deadlines. The Officer interprets and applies academic, government and policy sponsor agreement terms to ensure students meet requirements; assesses and makes recommendations on student applications. Serving as the first point of contact and resource to the graduate community the Officer takes action to identify, follow up and solve problems, liaising with relevant university, government and other external contacts as needed on behalf of the student. Using various systems including ROSI and FIS, the Award Officer monitors and reconciles award accounts, produces complex statistical and/or financial reports for management decision-making and other internal and external stakeholders and is responsible for ensuring the integrity of data entry of awards and award records, the accurate and the timely disbursement of funds to students.

Your responsibilities will include:

• 
  Acting as the primary contact for enquiries pertaining to funding opportunities as well as pre and post award matters
• Advising staff and students on award matters by probing and providing arrange of options and possible outcomes
• Providing consultation and advice on the application of University award policies and procedures
• Keeping well-informed on funding opportunities and resources, application policies/procedures and key deadlines
• Providing detailed information on funding program administrative practices and procedures
• Liaising with agencies, collaborators, industry sponsors, faculty and other stakeholders regarding students and funding applications
• Analyzing and reconciling sponsor agreement terms with University and local regulatory requirements
• Assessing the impact of changes to sponsor program rules and procedures regarding obligations and requirements for awards
• Checking that applicants meet the requirements outlined in the awards criteria
• Checking that the allocation of awards meet terms of reference of the funds
• Determining which applications to refer to committee for selection
• Providing advice to committees regarding financial awards allotments
• Responding to service requests in a timely fashion
• Providing information to applicants on status of application
• Probing for information to establish needs
• Troubleshooting and resolving routine issues
• Monitoring, recording, reconciling and/or reporting on fees and awards funding accounts
• Generating reports and analyzing datasets

Essential Qualifications:

• 
  Bachelor's Degree or an acceptable combination of equivalent experience
• 4 Years recent and related experience advising on awards and funding opportunities.
• Demonstrated numeracy skills and ability to manage complex spreadsheets using advanced calculations and formulas
• Experience analyzing data and preparing reports
• Experience processing financial transactions and reconciling funds.
• Demonstrated ability working with high volume and tight deadlines while maintaining ahigh level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Highly developed problem-solving and analytical skills
• Good working knowledge of the University’s Student Information (ROSI) and financial systems
• Superior customer service and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with students, faculty members, and other key stakeholders
• Ability to interpret and apply guidelines and policies to a variety of situations in order to ensure adherence and provide direction
• High degree of computer and internet literacy, including excellent working knowledge of MS Office Suite
• Superior oral and written communication skills; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Demonstrated ability to work with confidential information and to ensure privacy of student information is maintained at all times
• Good judgement, tact and discretion in dealing with sensitive information
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to new practices and procedures quickly and accurately

To be successful in this role you will be:

• 
  Organized
• Multi-tasker
• Problem solver
• Resourceful
• Accountable
• Meticulous
• Adaptable
• Approachable
• Communicator
• Tactful
• Team player

NOTE: This is a one (1) year term position.

Closing Date: 03/25/2024, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Term
Schedule: Full-Time NOTE: This is a one (1) year term position.
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 12 - $78,308 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $100,144. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Student Services
Recruiter: Blythe Campbell

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.