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Apply to Be an NCURA Peer Reviewer

Institutional Programs ReviewerApplication

NCURA Peer Programs

Apply to be an NCURA Peer Reviewer

Are you a veteran research administrator who has worked at the national level? Would you like to assist institutions in improving the effectiveness of their sponsored programs operations? Love to write, collaborate, and and problem solve? You may enjoy serving as a Peer Reviewer for NCURA's Peer Review Program! The NCURA Select Committee for Peer Review invites experienced members who have excellent writing and facilitation skills and a willingness to serve the organization to apply. Initial Peer Review appointments are for two-year terms. When you share your time and expertise with NCURA, you have the opportunity to assist others, grow professionally, expand your network of colleagues, and advance your career.

Please see the NCURA Peer Reviewer volunteer position description for full eligibility information and responsibilities.

 

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for a Peer Reviewer position, one must:

  • Be a current regular member of NCURA.
  • Have at least 10 years recent experience in the area of research administration; 15 years preferred.
  • Have at least 10 years experience in a senior management position (makes decisions, directs an area, effects change process, builds a team, implements policy changes, and supervises personnel).
  • Have at least 10 years recent experience with U.S.-based research administration, systems, and models.
  • Have demonstrated leadership in the field of research administration.
  • Be engaged with the broader research administration community/outside of their institution.
  • Possess current knowledge and expertise with a significant number of the Standards used as part of the reviews.
  • Possess a broad knowledge of institutional practices beyond their own institution and be able to articulate practices that relate to a particular institution's environment.
  • Be able to succinctly analyze large amounts of information.
  • Possess critical listening skills and be able to facilitate discussions.
  • Be skilled at persuasive and descriptive writing.
  • Be comfortable with collaborative writing and editing, particularly of extensive in-depth reports (60+ pages).

Individuals who are currently working for consulting firms that offer similar products are not eligible to serve as NCURA Peer Reviewers.

 

Application Materials

Candidates must complete and submit the application and supporting materials to peerreview@ncura.edu. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

NCURA is committed to achieving diversity of all kinds in its appointments, including geographic area, institutional size and type, gender, and ethnicity. We encourage all eligible and interested members to become involved.

 

If you have questions about these positions or the application process or are interested in applying, please contact Megan Fornasar, Director of NCURA Peer Programs, at peerreview@ncura.edu.

 

The Peer Review Process - What to Expect as a Reviewer

  • NCURA matches institutions interested in having a Peer Review with a Review Team, typically of 2 to 3 individuals - Reviewers are matched to institutions similar to ones for which they have worked (e.g., PUI reviewers at PUIs)
  • The institution provides background materials for the Review - detailed information about the policies, procedures, and practices - for the Team to review in advance.
  • The Reviewers divide up the Peer Review Standards between them - each Standard has one Reviewer who will serve as the point-person for that area. They will be the primary author of that part of the report.
  • Peer Reviewers meet with institutional stakeholders - faculty members, research administration staff, leadership, etc. - and discuss the institution's operations. This allows the Review Team to learn how things operate in practice - what's running smoothly, where there are pain points, etc. (In-Person meetings occur on the host institution's campus and typically last 2-3 days; NCURA reimburses all travel costs.)
  • An exit meeting on the last day of the virtual visit provides an initial report out to senior leadership, highlighting key themes.
  • The Review Team writes a detailed report on the institution's operations, including written recommendations for future improvements and explanations of notable practices occurring on the campus.
  • An honorarium is provided for each Peer Review.

 

NCURA Peer Reviews are a time-intensive volunteer opportunity and represent a significant commitment; the full process takes several months. Reviewers will need to spend time before the site visit reviewing an extensive amount of background material, will then spend 2-3 days physically on-site at the institution, and finally will collaboratively write a report of 60 - 100 pages (with a draft version due to the institution 30 business days after the site visit).

The frequency with which a volunteer is invited to participate in a Review varies considerably, largely dependent upon the types of institutions seeking a Review. Reviewers are provided with a timeline for the Review when invited so that they can determine whether or not a given engagement will work with their schedule.