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Contracts & Agreements Analyst
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Position Number: 5888853
Location: El Paso, TX
Position Type: Sponsored Programs, Grants, and Contracts

Contracts & Agreements Analyst

Job ID: 12853
Location: El Paso, TX
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: $RegTemp

About UTEP

UTEP is a comprehensive public research university that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve.

The University of Texas at El Paso is America's leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 24,000 students are Hispanic, and more than half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 172 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.

About the Division of Research & Innovation

The Research & Innovation division supports this world-class research enterprise by advancing transformative research excellence across campus and nurturing an innovative, cross-disciplinary culture. In all our work, we maintain a constant focus on our public mission of increasing access to excellent higher education and advancing discovery that positively impacts the health, culture, education, and economy of our region, the State of Texas, the nation, and the world. We do so by enabling the research success of our faculty and students through supporting the university research mission by providing research development, stewardship, compliance and safety services, and securing strategic external partnerships.

About the Department: Research Administration

Our objective is to provide high quality, efficient, customer-focused service and support for the successful submission of competitive proposals and management of awards that contribute to the overall mission of The University of Texas at El Paso.

Vision: Our vision is to accelerate the research and sponsored program enterprise while adhering to university policies and federal regulations.

Mission Statement: We are a team of trained and motivated individuals supported by technology and other resources that provide pre-award and post-award services.

Position Information

Hiring Department: Research & Innovation - Research Administration

Posting End Date: Open until filled.

Hours: 40 hours per week, standard Monday- Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm, flexibility is required on evenings and weekends

FLSA status: Exempt

Earliest Start Date: 01/02/2025.

Salary: Commensurate with experience.

Required Application Materials:

Resume
Cover Letter
List of three references

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The primary accountabilities are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Incumbents may perform all or some of the primary accountabilities listed. Specific tasks or responsibilities will be documented in the incumbents' performance objectives as outlined by the incumbents' immediate supervisor or manager. This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. A valid driver's license issued by the State where the applicant resides and insurability as defined in UTS 157 may be required to perform the position's essential functions.

Purpose of Position

Summary: This role is responsible for reviewing, analyzing, and managing contracts and sponsored project agreements to ensure compliance with organizational standards, regulatory requirements, and applicable laws. Under supervision, but with considerable autonomy, the C&A Analyst provides support to the Division POC's for contract and agreement submissions, review, and execution; and conducts risk assessments to identify potential issues and ensures that contracts are structured to mitigate those risks. Will utilize Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) systems to track and manage agreements and ensure all documentation is properly maintained. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently are essential for success in this role.

Essential Functions

OSP Requestor POC: Act as the primary point of contact (POC) for OSP Requestors, establishing and enforcing standards for the thorough review of data sources. Ensure that contracts and agreements are complete, all pages are included, and all referenced documents are provided. Verify that intake forms contain accurate, comprehensive information with all necessary supporting documentation attached.

Process Development & Documentation: Develop, document, and standardize processes for all contracts, agreements, and subcontracts. Ensure that each stage of the contract lifecycle is thoroughly recorded and tracked. Maintain organized, up-to-date files that capture key milestones and ensure all relevant documentation is compliant with internal and external requirements. Ensure all files are readily accessible for review by internal stakeholders and for audit and compliance purposes.

Contractual Updates & Liaison: Provide timely and accurate updates on all outstanding contractual documents to the Division POC, utilizing required systems and tracking mechanisms. Act as a liaison between the Contracts & Agreements unit and Pre/Post-Award teams, facilitating effective communication and follow-up to ensure smooth progression and alignment throughout the contract process.

Redline Negotiations Support: Serve as the official OSP point of contact between our office and Counterview during redline negotiations. Communicate with the Division POC when additional negotiations are required, ensuring that all pertinent parties are included in email exchanges. Ensure that the final agreement is properly distributed to relevant stakeholders and that the FE document is updated in the CLM system.

Regulatory Alignment & Continuous Monitoring: Analyze contracts and agreements submitted to OSP for review and approval to ensure alignment with applicable regulations, including Uniform Guidance (UG), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and state funding requirements. Monitor ongoing regulatory updates, ensuring all necessary adjustments are made and communicated to the Division POC. Provide continuous evaluation of documents to confirm that they remain in regulatory alignment as changes arise.

Risk Assessment & Audit Review: Conduct risk assessments of subcontracts to identify potential risks and ensure that subcontractual agreements are compliant with regulations and best practices. Conduct annual reviews of entities classified as high-risk. Review audit findings related to contracts and agreements, ensuring that any issues are addressed and resolved in accordance with relevant policies and regulations.

Desk Reviews & Subcontract Monitoring: Conduct desk reviews of Subcontract portfolio to identify potential issues, ensuring that compliance and best practices are being followed. Proactively monitor subcontract performance and address any discrepancies or concerns that arise.

Data Management & Reporting: Maintain a centralized database of subcontracts and risk assessment levels, tracking performance and compliance status over time. Use data analytics to monitor trends and identify potential risks, facilitating timely intervention when issues are detected. Produce regular reports to provide stakeholders with clear, data-driven updates on the status of subcontracts and contract compliance.

Financial Risk Analysis: Analyze subcontract financial data to assess and identify potential areas of financial risk by reviewing subcontract invoices, burn rates, and milestone progress. Proactively identify and address financial discrepancies to ensure contract and project stability.

Contract Process Management & Client Relations: Assist OSP, faculty, and staff in maintaining consistent, harmonized contract processes. Foster strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure successful contract execution and ongoing collaboration.

Proven experience in contract review and negotiation.

Maintains knowledge of private, state, federal, Regents, University policies, regulations and guidelines in sponsored research. Has familiarity with Uniform Guidance (UG), FAR, and DFARS regulatory requirements.

Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple contracts and agreements concurrently.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective liaison between various teams.

Knowledge of all Microsoft Office software, CLM systems, and able to learn and use institutional software systems.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information. Adheres to established departmental internal controls.

Complies with all State and University policies.

Other duties may be assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university within area of assigned responsibility

and

Experience: Three years related work experience relative to the statement of duties and responsibilities; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications: Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA), Certified Pre-Award Administrator (CPRA), from the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) preferred.

Additional Information

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit, use hands to feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and move up to 50 pounds. Special vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The noise level for this work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

In keeping with its access, excellence and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972.

For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu.

To apply, visit https://zahr-prd-candidate-ada.utshare.utsystem.edu/psp/ZAHRPRDADA/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=2&JobOpeningId=12853&PostingSeq=1