Program Financial Specialist

Competition 2718

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position has a term length of 1 year plus 1 day, with the possibility of extension, and offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Location - This role is in-person at North Campus Edmonton.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for the Department of Medicine

The Department of Medicine is the largest department in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta with over 250 academic faculty members and over 400 trainees (graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and residents).The Department of Medicine's core mission is to undertake outstanding education, research and high-quality clinical care to provide the best possible health outcomes for Albertans. We have 14 divisions that work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary, multicultural and ethnically diverse collegial environment.

(iSMART), the Institute for Smart Augmentative and Restorative Technologies and Health Innovations at the UofA, has unparalleled infrastructure; a worldwide network of collaborators; and a unique concentration of world leaders in wearable technologies and textiles, healthcare, critical disability studies, medical humanities, social justice, and fine arts. We have successfully developed products, policies, and practice guidelines that were all driven by unmet user and healthcare needs.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for managing all financial aspects of the Smartwear Revolution research project. Smartwear Revolution is a transformational, deeply transdisciplinary research project that seeks to co-create revolutionary fabric-based ‘smartwear’ that can reduce injuries and augment the strength of aging users and those experiencing disabilities, enabling them to remain actively engaged in their homes, communities, and activities of meaning. This position reports to the Smartwear Revolution Senior Research Administrator.

Under the supervision of the Senior Research Administrator and lead PI, Dr. Vivian Mushahwar), the Financial Specialist will provide administrative and financial support to the group of UAlberta researchers (currently 65 with expectation this will grow as the program moves forward), across multiple faculties, who are funded by and actively involved in this program. The position performs multiple tasks associated predominantly with post award, day-to-day administration of the research funding provided to UAlberta by NFRF-Tranformation Stream. This work involves the continual monitoring of a high volume of complex research projects for levels of expenditures and comparing these against budgets at the individual researcher level, overall accuracy and completeness of transaction entries to ensure that UAlberta and sponsor requirements are met. The incumbent is responsible for using professional judgement to identify problems early and requires the ability to investigate discrepancies and perform analyses as required. This position will also work closely with the institutional programs financial staff, in research administrative services to ensure we are meeting our institutional reporting obligations. Related to this, this position will play a key role in ensuring that both project and institutional level reporting is completed within stringent time frames. This position will also have a close working relationship with other administrative staff (i.e. department/faculty administrators, various partners) at both UAlberta and partner institutions

Duties 

• Provides financial management support for research programs, ensuring compliance with UAlberta and sponsor policies, guidelines, and reporting requirements.
• Monitors research accounts, investigates discrepancies, prepares reconciliations, and supports consolidated financial statements and year-end processes.
• Serves as a resource to researchers and administrators on funding administration, financial processes, and policy interpretation.
• Maintains financial databases, research files, and tracking systems; prepares standard and ad hoc financial reports for program needs.
• Supports procurement and expense processes, including travel claims, PCard transactions, SupplyNet purchases, and payment requests.
• Assists with HR functions such as coordinating project hires, processing student awards, and submitting reimbursements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree/diploma in business or accounting
• Strong skills in financial analysis, forecasting, and report preparation with high accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (advanced Excel)
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational abilities with proven professionalism and results orientation.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to make timely, independent decisions.
• Demonstrated adaptability, teamwork, and commitment to efficient, high-quality service.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of financial or research administration experience preferred.
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft and research funding policies an asset.