Research and Academic Compliance Officer

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Overview

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to help schools achieve their goals through dynamic and collaborative partnerships.

Department Profile

Harvard’s Office of Research and Academic Compliance (ORAC) within the Office of the Vice Provost for Research promotes a culture of integrity in research and education. ORAC provides specialized administrative and operational expertise, including proactive risk assessment, consultation, and mitigation, to help Harvard schools, departments, and research communities comply with laws, regulations, and policies. ORAC leads risk and compliance activities for various schools and units and collaborates with the research and academic community and administrative units to ensure timely service delivery, risk management, and compliance with applicable requirements.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Director of the Office of Research and Academic Compliance, the Research and Academic Compliance Officer (RACO) will manage compliance and risk management activities across the university. The Officer will provide direct support to constituents in risk areas, with emphasis on financial conflicts of interest and commitment, export control, international collaborations, and other foreign activities, while coordinating with other compliance domains. The RACO partners with community members to ensure risks are understood, controls are designed and operating effectively, and activities align with laws, regulations, and policies. Under minimal supervision, the Officer conducts risk assessments, oversees issue identification and management, tracks risk metrics, sets priorities for resolutions, and escalates issues as needed. The role acts as the primary risk and compliance liaison between schools, units, and the Senior Director of ORAC and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR), including change management and training. The Officer promotes a strong risk and compliance culture and represents ORAC on school-wide and university-wide committees and teams.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Projects and priorities in the following areas involve complex organizational constructs; responsibilities evolve as needs arise.

Leadership and Expertise

• Act as the primary non-financial research compliance liaison from ORAC to a large portfolio of academic and research areas encompassing hundreds of faculty, students, and administrators
• Maintain knowledge of and provide input for sponsored research policies, procedures, and guidelines in functional areas including pre-award, post-award, financial, and research compliance
• Provide consistent consultative expertise and guidance to administrators, faculty, staff, students, visitors, and other constituencies around campus in issues related to research and academic compliance
• Guide decision-making of school and university faculty, administrators, and leaders in accepting or denying international collaborations, students, scholars, and visitors based on risk profiles
• Represent ORAC on university-wide committees, task forces, and working groups to inform leadership decision-making
• Provide consultation to faculty related to risk areas and potential impact on Harvard for academic, research, and professional work outside the university

Risk Mitigation and Management

• Create risk profiles for individuals and entities by performing background research, including data gathering, analyzing business connections, and assessing threats to university security and reputation
• Develop and manage workflows in export controls, international collaborations, and conflicts of interest, including writing rationales, communicating to constituencies, and maintaining records
• Provide regulatory review of and terms for contracts with industry partners for the Office for Technology Development to evaluate compliance-related clauses
• Conduct export control reviews for educational and research activities, including classifying technology under U.S. regulations, vetting end-users, and assessing sanctions applicability
• Conduct deemed export reviews in conjunction with academic visa applications, data sharing, and other domestic activities
• Review planned international collaboration activities within grant applications for risk of foreign influence and noncompliance, and establish operational expectations for research teams
• Develop Technology Control Plans to mitigate risk related to access to Harvard systems and resources
• Develop fCOI management plans to ensure compliance with the University fCOI policy and sponsor requirements

Compliance and Operations

• Conduct audits and investigations on behalf of ORAC, OVPR, and academic units in response to noncompliance allegations, gather evidence, and develop risk reports and corrective action plans
• Create written expectations for operational compliance among faculty and research teams and provide referrals to campus resources related to research security and compliance

Education, Training, and Communication

• Create and deliver educational programs and training seminars to departments, laboratories, centers, institutes, etc., about non-financial compliance in research and education
• Develop content and guidance for research compliance and other functional areas
• Other duties as required

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and minimum 7 years in research and/or academic compliance and/or research administration in an academic or industry research setting required.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Advanced degree and research experience are highly preferred. Knowledge and experience in research or academic compliance with emphasis on conflicts of interest/commitment, export control, international activities, and research or academic operations are preferred. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to develop strong working relationships, are essential. Ability to prioritize work in a multi-interest environment and work independently with minimal supervision is necessary, as are project leadership and management capabilities. Experience in assessing operations to determine policy needs and supporting an ongoing regulatory compliance program is essential. Thorough knowledge of compliance issues, laws, and regulations related to research and academic compliance and the ability to communicate complex issues effectively are essential. Strong interpersonal skills for working with internal units and representing positions with external groups are required. Ability to handle highly complex and confidential information with discretion is essential.

• Appointment End Date
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable)
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

Work Format Details

This position may be performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department. When not at a Harvard location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard-registered state in compliance with the university’s policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please review Harvard's Salary Ranges for details.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package to support work-life balance and wellbeing. Benefits include:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development including tuition assistance
• Commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks

Learn more about these benefits on the Benefits and Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes. Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. The policy and the non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.