Research Grants Coordinator at University of Pretoria
University of Pretoria · Pretoria, Gauteng
Overview
The University of Pretoria is looking for a Research Grants Coordinator to manage grant-funded research projects from application to compliance. You will work with researchers, funders, and finance teams to keep research funding running smoothly. This is a full-time role in Pretoria for someone with grant administration experience who wants to support world-class research.
About the role
As a Research Grants Coordinator, you will play a key role in helping researchers secure and manage funding for their projects. You will work closely with faculty, funders, and the finance department to ensure everything runs smoothly from application to completion.
What you will do:
- Promote grant opportunities and advise researchers on suitable funding options.
- Manage the grant application process and give final approval before submission.
- Set up grant agreements, monitor compliance, and handle progress reports.
- Liaise with funders and finance to create cost centres and track funds.
- Research potential funders and maintain prospect data.
- Support the university's internal funding instruments and co-funding processes.
- Help with ad hoc projects and provide support to other research administrators.
Application note: Please attach a comprehensive CV, certified copies of your qualifications, and the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of three referees.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field with 3 years of experience in grant administration, grant management systems, US Federal grants, NRF grant management, and financial management; OR
- National Diploma in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field with 5 years of experience in the same areas.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Advanced project management and financial management skills.
- Knowledge of grant management software and tools.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- In-depth knowledge of grant compliance regulations.
- Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships.
- Ability to plan and implement change initiatives.
- Ability to remain flexible and work well under pressure.
Responsibilities
- Promote research grant opportunities to faculty and researchers.
- Advise researchers on suitable grant opportunities based on funding needs.
- Maintain grant application information on the Pre-Award Grant Management System.
- Manage the grant application submission process and provide final approval before submission.
- Ensure researchers meet eligibility criteria for grants.
- Provide strategic input on grant applications to ensure compliance and competitiveness.
- Follow up on submitted applications and inform researchers of funding decisions.
- Facilitate institutional signatures on grant agreements.
- Liaise with the Department of Finance to create cost centres for awarded grants.
- Monitor grant recipients' compliance with grant conditions.
- Manage the submission of annual progress reports.
- Collect and maintain documentation for external auditors.
- Research potential funders and maintain prospect data.
- Promote and manage the University of Pretoria Funding Instruments and co-funding instruments.
- Provide technical support to researchers and faculty admins on online application processes.
- Manage Research Africa and other databases.
- Provide support for ad hoc projects and other research administrators.
- Participate in and lead ad hoc projects in support of the RCD vision.
- Establish a monitoring and evaluation framework for grants management and administration.
Job details
- Organisation
- University of Pretoria
- Location
- Pretoria, Gauteng
- Job type
- Full time
- Experience level
- Mid (3+ years)
- Education
- Bachelor
- Category
- Science & Research
- Closing date
- 13 November 2026
- Application Method
- Apply online
Success Guide
This role is a great fit if you have a background in finance or administration and want to support research at one of South Africa's top universities. In your application, highlight your experience with grant management systems, especially US Federal grants and NRF processes, as these are key. The university values attention to detail and compliance, so make sure your CV shows how you have managed grant cycles from start to finish. Also be ready to provide certified copies of your qualifications and details of three referees. Good luck!
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