Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. We suggest the documents be in a PDF format to avoid formatting issues.To be considered for this position, all supplemental questions must be answered. 

Position Summary

KIUR is seeking a full-time Grant Specialist to provide advanced and varied support to facilitate the grant proposal development process and track activities. The grant specialist reports to and works closely with the Associate Director of Grant Management and the Lead Proposal Specialist to identify prospective grant sources compatible with KIUR’s mission. The grant specialist is responsible for managing the grant application process; writing, preparing, and submitting Letters of Interest (LOIs) and grant applications; calendaring, tracking, and developing grant report narratives as required by funders; tracking all other documents and project information required by funders. The grant specialist works with the KIUR directors, associate directors, development team, and research directors to establish funding priorities and goals for their respective research centers/teams. Attention to detail and excellent writing and editing skills are expected to help promote the submission of successful proposals. 

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research aims to improve lives through data, research, engagement, and action. The institute is currently working to build out five research centers focused on critical aspects shaping the social and cultural landscape of the Houston area. The five centers will research housing, education, public health, economic mobility and inequality, and population dynamics. Each center will investigate its particular topic area and will work across centers.To achieve this, each center is building interdisciplinary teams specializing in solutions-oriented research while using a research-practice partnership (RPP) model to jointly design, develop, and conduct research that values diversity in expertise and prioritizes the community in identifying and addressing some of the most pressing questions and challenges facing Houston to inform decision-making and bring about change in the region. 

This is an on-campus position with the opportunity for optional hybrid work schedule (3/2) within Harris County and surrounding counties. (Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.)

This is a full-time, benefits eligible position with a hiring range of $65,000 to $67,500. *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime. 

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, business, applied research, social sciences
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted.
• 2 years related experience
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted
• Skills
  • Initiative and ability to work independently and as a team member 
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Strong administrative and organizational skills and the ability to prioritize one’s own workload
  • Strong critical thinking skills
  • Strong writing and editing skills
  • Ability to work under deadline pressure
  • Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across multiple teams and working styles
  • Proficiency in MS Office

Preferences

• Master’s degree in public policy, business, applied research, social sciences
• Experience working for an institution of higher education, a non-profit organization, or a philanthropic foundation
• Familiarity with partner-engaged research
• Commitment to KIUR’s mission and vision
• Commitment to learning and continuous improvement
• Adaptability and resilience 
• Cayuse SP experience
• Knowledge of federal agencies’ submission processes

Essential Functions

• Organize, facilitate, and track complex proposal development efforts and proposal preparation timelines.
• Understand, explain, and clarify various sponsors’ proposal requirements and review processes.
• Develop strategic, persuasive, and compelling approaches for presenting proposed research projects to reviewers.
• Research and write non-technical sections of proposals.
• Provide high-level, substantive comments, suggestions, and questions on non-technical sections of proposals.
• Perform careful, line-by-line revisions and edits of scientific, technical, and/or scholarly narrative sections of proposals.
• Design and format proposals to meet sponsor specifications.
• Ensure compliance with all other sponsor requirements.
• Support Lead Proposal Specialist in liaising with faculty, administrators, and Rice OSP to ensure timely and successful proposal submissions.
• Assists in preparing ad hoc administrative projects, such as website materials, proposal archives, etc. 
• Assist with training and development sessions designed for faculty, staff, postdocs, graduate students, and /or undergraduate students with topics related to the development of proposals for external grant funds. 
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Additional Functions

• Identifies limited submission funding opportunities and assists in coordinating limited submission competitions when necessary.
• Leads training and development sessions designed for faculty, staff, postdocs, graduate students, and or undergraduate students on topics related to the development of proposals for external grant funds. 
• Actively participates in learning and improvement cycles with the grants team.

Kinder Institute for Urban Research https://kinder.rice.edu/

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits 

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Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.