POSITION DESCRIPTION

Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics / The Peter Doherty Institute
for Infection and Immunity
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences

Finance Officer
POSITION NO 0062353

CLASSIFICATION UOM 6

SALARY $96,459 - $104,413

SUPERANNUATION Employer contribution of 17%

WORKING HOURS Full-time (1.0 FTE)

BASIS OF Continuing (Continuing research contingent)

EMPLOYMENT

OTHER BENEFITS https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/staff-benefits

HOW TO APPLY Online applications are preferred. Go to

http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers, select the relevant option
(‘Current Staff’ or ‘Prospective Staff’), then find the position by title or
number.

CONTACT Marian Boreland

FOR ENQUIRIES ONLY
Email [email protected]

Please do not send your application to this contact

For information about working for the University of Melbourne, visit our website:
about.unimelb.edu.au/careers

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Position number The University of Melbourne

Acknowledgement of Country
The University of Melbourne acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the unceded land on
which we work, learn and live: the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong peoples (Burnley,
Fishermans Bend, Parkville, Southbank and Werribee campuses), the Yorta Yorta Nation
(Dookie and Shepparton campuses), and the Dja Dja Wurrung people (Creswick campus).

The University also acknowledges and is grateful to the Traditional Owners, Elders and
Knowledge Holders of all Indigenous nations and clans who have been instrumental in our
reconciliation journey.

We recognise the unique place held by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the
original owners and custodians of the lands and waterways across the Australian continent, with
histories of continuous connection dating back more than 60,000 years. We also acknowledge
their enduring cultural practices of caring for Country.

We pay respect to Elders past, present and future, and acknowledge the importance of
Indigenous knowledge in the Academy. As a community of researchers, teachers, professional
staff and students we are privileged to work and learn every day with Indigenous colleagues
and partners.

Position Summary
This role is based in the Directorate of the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
(Doherty Institute), University of Melbourne. The Finance Officer will provide financial
management and administration for two externally funded projects and may be asked to provide
services for the international projects portfolio funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade (DFAT) and for the Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics (Cumming Global
Centre).

The Doherty supported initiative works across multiple countries in South and Southeast Asia
and across the Pacific regions, and links in with a collaborative national and international
network of partners.

The Finance Officer will be working on all programming under the Cumming Global Centre, is a
mission-driven, globally connected research program that will enable rapid design and
development of treatments for pathogens of pandemic potential. The Centre is headquartered in
Melbourne and funds or partners research activities both in Australia and globally.

The Finance Officer is required to demonstrate a high level of professionalism and initiative and
will work collaboratively within an internationally distributed team of multi-disciplinary partners.
The Finance Officer, with direction from the relevant Program Manager, will engage in the
financial management and reporting across a range of project activities to ensure the ongoing
financial sustainability of these projects. They will be involved in planning processes and
managing budgets, finance reporting and administrative operations, including the use of
University of Melbourne financial management processes.

This role requires a high level of autonomy and responsibility, interpersonal skills, a
collaborative work ethic and effective communication skills to ensure the success of financial
reporting requirements.

The Finance Officer will report directly to the Finance Manager—CGCPT with a dotted line to
the Program Manager—DFAT at the Doherty Institute, and work closely with other Project
Officers and Finance Officers at the Doherty Institute.

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Position number The University of Melbourne

1. Key Responsibilities

1.1 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND SERVICES

• Supporting the processing of day-to-day financial transactions for the projects,
working in conjunction with University Financial Services
• Executing internal financial transfer of funds
• Preparing and presenting financial reports as required and comparing financial
performance to budget and forecast for projects.
• Analysing and assessing financial performance, highlighting risks, opportunities and
recommending actions where necessary
• Supporting the preparation of project budgets and reporting to the funding body in
consultation with Project Management Team.
• Effectively manage financial issues on the projects that may impede the progress and
work with project implementation staff to resolve these issues.
• Facilitate budget tracking across all project activities.

2. Selection Criteria

2.1 ESSENTIAL
• Graduate qualifications in Finance, Accounting or other relevant discipline, or an
equivalent combination of tertiary qualifications and relevant experience
• Experience working in a tertiary institution
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting and forecasting
• Expertise in managing financial portfolios for individual projects, from development to the
reporting process.
• High level of attention to detail, analytical skills and ability to work in complex
environments
• Demonstrated ability to generate timely customised reports for management on budget,
actual and forecast
• Ability to work in a project team with excellent communication skills
• Experience with University of Melbourne financial processes, including Themis, is highly
advantageous
• Advanced skills and experience in using Excel

2.2 DESIRABLE
• Experience working with government funding, inter-institutional agreements, and
privately funded activities
• Experience managing and engaging with audit teams.
• Experience with accounting packages (MYOB or similar) and with accounting systems
such as Workday.

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Position number The University of Melbourne

3. Job Complexity, Skills, Knowledge

3.1 LEVEL OF SUPERVISION / INDEPENDENCE

The incumbent will work under general to broad direction depending upon experience and
the complexity of the tasks, within the context of a supportive group environment.

3.2 PROBLEM SOLVING AND JUDGEMENT

The incumbent will have the discretion to innovate within own function and take
responsibility for outcomes; undertake planning involving resources use and reporting.

3.3 PROFESSIONAL AND ORGANISATIONAL KNOWLEDGE

The incumbent is expected to perform tasks/assignments which require proficiency in the

work area's existing rules, regulations, policies, procedures, systems, processes and
techniques and how they interact with other related functions, and to adapt those
procedures and techniques as required to achieve objectives without impacting on other
areas.

3.4 BREADTH OF THE POSITION

The position involves providing administrative support for projects within the Institute. The
role will be required to liaise with local and international stakeholders.

4. Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Inclusion

The University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a
workplace free from all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, bullying, vilification
and victimisation. The University makes decisions on employment, promotion, and reward
on the basis of merit.

The University is committed to all aspects of equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion in
the workplace and to providing all staff, students, contractors, honorary appointees,
volunteers and visitors with a safe, respectful and rewarding environment free from all
forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, vilification and victimisation. This
commitment is set out in the Advancing Melbourne strategy that addresses diversity and
inclusion, equal employment opportunity, discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying and
appropriate workplace behaviour. All staff are required to comply with all University
policies.

The University values diversity because we recognise that the differences in our people’s
age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, physical ability and
background bring richness to our work environment. Consequently, the People Strategy
sets out the strategic aim to drive diversity and inclusion across the University to create
an environment where the compounding benefits of a diverse workforce are recognised
as vital in our continuous desire to strive for excellence and reach the targets of
Advancing Melbourne.

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Position number The University of Melbourne

5. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)

All staff are required to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of
other personnel who may be affected by their conduct.
OHS responsibilities applicable to positions are published at:

http://safety.unimelb.edu.au/topics/responsibilities/

These include general staff responsibilities and those additional responsibilities that apply
for Managers and Supervisors and other Personnel.

6. Other Information

6.1 THE PETER DOHERTY INSTITUTE FOR INFECTION AND IMMUNITY

www.doherty.edu.au
Finding solutions to prevent, treat and cure infectious diseases and understanding the
complexities of microbes and the immune system requires innovative approaches and
concentrated effort. This is why The University of Melbourne – a world leader in
education, teaching and research excellence – and The Royal Melbourne Hospital – an
internationally renowned institution providing outstanding care, research and learning –
have partnered to create the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty
Institute); a centre of excellence where leading scientists and clinicians collaborate to
improve human health globally.

6.2 THE CUMMING GLOBAL CENTRE FOR PANDEMICTHERAPEUTICS

(CGCPT)

www.doherty.edu.au/cumming-global-centre-for-pandemic-therapeutics

The Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics (CGCPT) is a mission-driven,

globally connected research program that will enable rapid design and development of
treatments for pathogens of pandemic potential. The Centre will be the world’s
preeminent facility in developing molecular platforms to help fight future pandemics. The
Centre goals are ambitious—to advance the science behind therapeutics that direct target
the pathogen, to transform future pandemic management and to save lives.

6.3 FACULTY OF MEDICINE, DENTISTRY AND HEALTH SCIENCES

The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences has an enviable research record
and is the University of Melbourne’s largest faculty in terms of management of financial
resources, employment of academic and professional staff, teaching of undergraduate
and postgraduate (including research higher degree) students and the conduct of basic
and applied research. The Faculty’s annual revenue is $628m with approximately 55% of
this income related to research activities.
The Faculty has a student teaching load in excess of 8,500 equivalent full-time students
including more than 1,300 research higher degree students. The Faculty has
approximately 2,195 staff comprising 642 professional staff and 1,553 research and
teaching staff.

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Position number The University of Melbourne

The Faculty has appointed Australia’s first Associate Dean (Indigenous Development) to
lead the development and implementation of the Faculty’s Reconciliation Action Plan
(RAP), which will be aligned with the broader University – wide plan. To enable the
Faculty to improve its Indigenous expertise knowledge base, the Faculty’s RAP will
address Indigenous employment, Indigenous student recruitment and retention,
Indigenous cultural recognition and building partnerships with the Indigenous community
as key areas of development.

www.mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/

6.4 THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

Established in 1853, the University of Melbourne is a leading international university with

a tradition of excellence in teaching and research. The main campus in Parkville is
recognised as the hub of Australia’s premier knowledge precinct comprising eight
hospitals, many leading research institutes and a wide-range of knowledge-based
industries. With outstanding performance in international rankings, the University is at the
forefront of higher education in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

The University employs people of outstanding calibre and offers a unique environment
where staff are valued and rewarded.

Further information about working at The University of Melbourne is available at

http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers.

6.5 ADVANCING MELBOURNE

The University’s strategic direction is grounded in its purpose. While its expression may
change, our purpose is enduring: to benefit society through the transformative impact of
education and research. Together, the vision and purpose inform the focus and scale of
our aspirations for the coming decade.

Advancing Melbourne reflects the University’s commitment to its people, its place, and its
partners. Our aspiration for 2030 is to be known as a world-leading and globally
connected Australian university, with our students at the heart of everything we do.
We will offer students a distinctive and outstanding education and experience, preparing
them for success as leaders, change agents and global citizens.

We will be recognised locally and globally for our leadership on matters of national and
global importance, through outstanding research and scholarship and a commitment to
collaboration.

We will be empowered by our sense of place and connections with communities. We will
take opportunities to advance both the University and the City of Melbourne in close
collaboration and synergy.

We will deliver this through building a brilliant, diverse and vibrant University community,
with strong connections to those we serve.

The means for achieving these goals include the development of the University of
Melbourne’s academic and professional staff and the capabilities needed to support a
modern, world-class university. Those means require a commitment to ongoing financial
sustainability and an ambitious infrastructure program which will reshape the campus and
our contribution to the communities we engage with. This strategy, and the priorities
proposed, is centred around five intersecting themes; place, community, education,
discovery and global.

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Position number The University of Melbourne

6.6 GOVERNANCE

The Vice Chancellor is the Chief Executive Officer of the University and responsible to
Council for the good management of the University.
Comprehensive information about the University of Melbourne and its governance
structure is available at http://www.unimelb.edu.au/governance

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