FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION SPECIALIST

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FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION SPECIALIST

Req #: 230512 Department: OFFICE OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS Job Location: Seattle Campus Posting Date: 01/29/2024 Closing Info: Open Until Filled Salary: $4,517 - $4,900 per month Other Compensation: This position is overtime eligible. Shift: First Shift Benefits: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation's premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoy outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty. The Office of Global Affairs (OGA) is a catalyst and a hub for all things global at the UW, connecting the diverse internal and external networks of scholars, students, and community leaders engaged with international issues. OGA's major activities include:

• Initiating and supporting scholarly research on global issues across campus units and departments, disseminating information about relevant faculty expertise, funding opportunities, and institutional ties abroad.
• Providing a portal through which external stakeholders - including business leaders, representatives of local, regional, and national government, non-governmental organization representatives, international alumni, and ethnic and cultural affinity communities - can learn about and participate in campus activities and resources.
• Serving as a central guide and resource for developing and successfully implementing study abroad programs, collaboration with international scholars, the conduct of global research, and the design and nurturing of foreign institutional partnerships.
• Supporting UW community members in planning and carrying out UW's international scholarship and business in a safe, productive manner. To facilitate these functions, OGA has five main areas of responsibility: administration of study abroad; support for international research; oversight of UW's centers and offices abroad; management of UW international relations and protocols; and coordination of strategic initiatives in the key areas of global health, global environment, global technology, global development challenges, and global cultural change. The Finance & Administration Specialist (Program Operations Specialist (E S 6)) is a member of the Office of Global Affairs Finance & Administration team. The F&A Specialist is assigned primarily to provide finance and administration guidance and budget management to the UW Study Abroad (UWSA), focusing on the oversight and execution of financial activities for UWSA. They will also have a role supporting student programming and operations. The Finance and Administration Specialist will independently perform complex financial and administrative functions to manage a portfolio of study abroad/exchange programs annually. The position functions in a very fast-paced environment and is responsible for a significant volume of work with frequently changing priorities. The Office of Global Affairs, a unit within the Office of the Provost, handles university international priorities. UW Study Abroad links students to an extensive array of study abroad programs, internships and university exchanges around the world. Through a variety of advising and programming services, UW Study Abroad provides invaluable support to both UW students abroad and visiting international students at the UW. The support provided to the Office of Global Affairs by the Finance and Administration Specialist is critical to the financial well-being and policy compliance of all its programs. Under the general supervision of the Director of Finance and Administration, the Finance and Administration Specialist will independently perform complex financial and administrative functions for OGA. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Finance and Budget Management (60%)
• Serve as lead for financial transactions for a portfolio of UW Study Abroad programs, processing, monitoring and reconciling payments for UW Study Abroad program budgets, totaling approximately $8,000,000 per year.
• Work directly with faculty/staff program directors to advise, build and manage program budgets. Track, monitor, and reconcile expenses and revenue. Provide budget updates, analysis and financial projections as needed.
• Manage and reconcile ProCard/CTA transactions; reconcile other OGA budgets as requested.
• Assist in charging program fees to the UW accounts for over 3,000 UW and non-UW students per year using the Student Database (SDB. Disburse study abroad scholarships, tuition waivers, and other awards.
• Develop and retain strong collaborative partnerships with UW Procurement Services, Accounts Payable, Banking & Accounting, Travel, Internal Audit and manage international vendors in order to effectively facilitate procurement and/or payment for services, equipment, and/or supplies in international locations where study abroad programs take place.
• Support OGA through the UW Finance Transformation (UWFT) process and help to train staff as necessary.
• Recommend, initiate and implement process improvements for all areas of financial and budget functions. Training and Policy Compliance (15%)
• Ensure that Office of Global Affairs financial operations comply with State of Washington, UW, and OGA policies, and follow Generally Accepted Account Principles (GAAP). Exercise independent judgment in interpreting and applying rules and regulations to resolve problems.
• Advise and train Office of Global Affairs Staff, and Faculty Program Directors on policy compliance and standard operating procedures related to Office of Global Affairs operations, including purchasing, budgeting, travel, and other program-related financial and administrative matters; coordinate and present regular training sessions for faculty/staff program directors covering the financial and compliance issues related to UWSA programs.
• Coordinate with UW Financial Aid on aid disbursements and scholarship issues; troubleshoot student accounts with Student Fiscal Services, Office of Financial Aid Services, Registrar's Office, UW departments, Graduate School and Student Insurance Office; create program and exchange expense summaries for student participants; answer student and/or parental financial inquiries.
• Keep current with new UW central procurement and travel policies and procedures; coordinate the integration of new systems and applications into the standard operating procedures of the department.
• Serve as back-up for other Global Affairs Finance and Administration team members who may be on leave. Other Duties (25%)
• Support special projects and join various internal working groups and committees.
• Support study abroad programming and operations.
• Other duties as assigned. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS Bachelor's Degree with one year of experience in accounting, budgeting administrative management or equivalent combination of education, experience and training. Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Higher education experience.
• Strong communication skills.
• Finance/accounting background and HR/Payroll experience.
• International experience.
• Demonstrated the capacity to identify, initiate, and implement business process improvement.
• Possess cultural sensitivity to include knowledge of and appreciation for different traditions, customs, and lifestyles. Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at View phone number on us.fitly.work or View email address on us.fitly.work.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.