Faculty & Staff

The manual provides guidance for a wide range of operational activities in the field. Following this section with introductory material, there are nine additional sections, as follows:

• Codes of Conduct lays out the expectations for behavior by all those engaged in international projects. It also covers compliance filings for research and lays out the procedures for certification of compliance with Columbia University’s conflict of interest policy, which is required of employees when first hired and on an annual basis thereafter.
• Developing International Projects describes the various funding instruments Mailman School uses and the policies and processes for proposal and budget development. It lays out the requirements for institutional review and approval of new projects, with special attention to the risk-management procedures the University has established.
• Operations/Establishment of International Projects should be used by anyone engaged in initiating an operation in a new country or region of a country. It presents procedures for renting office space and setting up administrative systems. It covers legal issues associated with operating outside the United States, such as in-country registration and memoranda of understanding with foreign governments. It lists important points to keep in mind when dealing with technology and with communications and publicity.
• Grants and Contracts conveys the expectations for proper management of awards, from application for funds through amendment and close-out of agreements and contracts. It describes the responsibilities of the PI in complying with the rules and regulations of funding agencies.
• Financial Management summarizes important policies and procedures for financial management and expense reporting, as well as cash management (including international bank accounts), procurement, and property management. It also covers financial reporting to funding agencies.
• Travel covers topics such as the applicable USG regulations, travel advances, per diem, and expense reporting. It also touches on vehicle usage.
• Human Resources Management summarizes important procedures for recruitment, hiring, compensation and benefits, orientation and staff development, performance management, and employment separation. It explains requirements for Local Hire Manuals and for retention of human resources records and includes a short section with guidelines for contracting both local and international consultants.
• Subaward Management highlights the most important aspects that PIs and Country/Project Directors must keep in mind when Mailman School awards funds to subrecipient organizations. It covers the steps from initiation of a subaward through the close-out process, with emphasis on monitoring for compliance with USG regulations and grant/contract conditions.
• Close-Out specifies how to prepare for closing an operation and what is required by funding agencies and the University.