Research Project Officer

About The Research Office

About The Role

The Research Project Officer Will

• Coordinate and monitor **research project delivery** from award initiation to close‑out
• Maintain a centralised **project schedule and milestone tracking system** across multiple projects
• Conduct regular structured meetings with Principal Investigators to review progress, risks, and resource needs
• Map and track **reporting requirements** to ensure timely submission to funding bodies
• Identify and escalate **project risks** (financial, operational, compliance) and maintain risk registers
• Manage procurement processes for research-related equipment and services in coordination with internal teams
• Support recruitment and contract tracking for project staff in collaboration with People & Culture
• Monitor spend against budgets, providing **forecasting and variance analysis**
• Maintain complete and audit‑ready records of project documentation and approvals
• Facilitate collaboration between research teams and central functions (Finance, HR, Procurement, Legal, Marketing)
• Support **project closure activities**, including financial reconciliation and archiving of outputs
• Contribute to process improvement by identifying and standardising best practices across projects

About You

• You are an experienced project or operations professional with strong organisational capability and the ability to manage complex, multi‑stakeholder portfolios.
• You bring a structured, detail‑oriented approach to project delivery, combined with the confidence to work with academic stakeholders and navigate a governance‑focused environment.
• Essential requirements:
• Bachelor's degree in **Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration**, or related field
• Minimum **3-5 years' experience** in a project‑based or programme coordination role
• Demonstrated experience managing **budgets, timelines, procurement, and reporting cycles**
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in **Excel and project tracking tools**
• Experience working with senior stakeholders and managing cross‑functional relationships
• Ability to interpret and apply complex policies, contracts, or funding requirements
• Desirable attributes:
• Experience in **higher education, research administration, or grant‑funded environments**
• Project management certification (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP, CAPM)
• Experience supporting audits and maintaining compliance documentation
• Exposure to research governance, ethics, or data management frameworks

Compensation And Benefits

• UOWD offers a competitive and comprehensive employment package designed to attract and retain high‑quality professional staff.
• The package for this role includes:
• **Competitive tax‑free salary**, commensurate with qualifications and experience
• **Comprehensive medical insurance** for the employee (and eligible dependents, subject to policy)
• **Annual leave entitlement** of 25 working days
• **Public holidays** as per the UAE calendar
• **End‑of‑service gratuity**, in accordance with UAE Labour Law
• Access to a **stable, well‑governed working environment** within a reputable international university
• Opportunities to contribute to **institutional improvement, automation initiatives, and professional development**
• *UOWD is an equal opportunity employer that attracts, develops, motivates, empowers, and retains a diverse workforce.*