Grants and Partnership Officer

Activity Background
The USAID Burma Responsible Investment and Trade Activity is a five-year (2020 – 2025) activity that will work with a broad range of international and domestic private sector firms and civil society actors to promote civilian ownership of the Myanmar economy by increasing the share held by responsible, accountable, and transparent firms. Through the Activity, USAID will increase trade and private sector investment. To attract and sustain investment and trade, the Activity is supporting firms operating in or entering the market in Myanmar to improve corporate governance, business transparency, and competitiveness.

DAI Organization and Values
DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.
DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.
DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. DAI does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, veteran status, or other non-merit factor.

Job Title: Grants and Partnership Officer
Project: USAID Responsible Investment and Trade Activity
Reports to: Investment and Technical Assistance Facility (ITAF) Manager
Location: Yangon, Myanmar
Duration: Full-time one-year contract, possible yearly extensions through July 2025

Overview of the Position
DAI seeks a Grants and Partnership Officer to administer the Investment and Technical Assistance Facility for the purposes of meeting the Activity’s technical objectives and outcomes. The Activity aims to promote private sector civilian ownership of the Myanmar economy by increasing the share held by responsible, accountable, and transparent firms. It engages international and domestic private sector firms and civil society actors across multiple sectors to facilitate investment, trade, and business partnerships, strengthen regional economic integration, and improve business accountability, transparency, and competitiveness in Myanmar.

Roles and Responsibilities
The main objective of the Grants and Partnership Officer is to administer the Investment and Technical Assistance Facility for the purposes of meeting RITA’s technical objectives and outcomes. The position will lead the grant-making and subcontracting process for our work with companies, investors, and business service organizations. Duties may include but are not limited to issuing grants and proposal solicitations, review, award, implementation, compliance, payments, strengthening grantee capacity, and managing the subcontracts to perform as per the agreed scope of work.

The Grants and Partnership Officer is responsible for:
Grants Management

• Work closely with technical staff in the activity design process including, but not limited to, supporting the development of solicitations, facilitating the process of evaluation of grant applications to ensure adherence to grants management policies, and advising on appropriate grant mechanisms.
• Work with partners to develop grant budget estimates and review for allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and consistency, as well as compliance with USAID and DAI regulations and policies.
• Assess the administrative and financial capacity of grant applicants.
• Ensure proper negotiation of the terms and conditions for grants.
• Draft approval requests for USAID.
• Generate and review all aspects of grant agreements with grantees, including scheduling and facilitating meetings to define roles, responsibilities, and timelines for grantees.
• Serve as the ITAF focal point for grantees. Share information with grantees ensuring cohesion and supporting collaborative engagement. Attending meetings and events hosted by partners. Provide updates to and collaborate with ITAF staff on grant monitoring.
• Monitor and track procurement activities for in-kind grants and delivery status of goods/services.
• Monitor submission of and review grant deliverables. Coordinate with other members of the team for approval.
• Ensure complete backup documentation for cash payments to grantees is submitted to the project’s finance team.
• Work with grantees and other ITAF staff to ensure that activities are implemented in accordance with activity design.
• With grantee, ITAF staff, and technical staff solve issues that arise during grant implementation.
• Ensure that all grant activities are properly documented from the start of implementation to grant close-down using DAI operations and grant management systems (TAMIS) etc.
• Perform regular spot audits of grant files to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance.

Subcontracts Management

• Ensure compliance with all regulations, policies, and procedures embodied in the Field Operations Manual.
• Coordinate the drafting of scopes of work with the technical staff and draft solicitations.
• Provide orientation sessions to potential subcontractors on Request for Proposals (RFP), if necessary.
• Coordinate the process of opening and evaluation of proposals.
• Document the entire process of selection of subcontractors.
• Complete subcontractor price reasonability and responsibility determination before issuing contracts.
• Issue and ensure required approvals and coordinate the signing of all subcontracts and their modifications
• Provide advice to the technical staff on subcontract processes and requirements.
• Conduct periodic audits of subcontractor.
• Lead the closing process.

General Responsibilities

• Assist ITAF Manager on grants and subcontracts information, progress, data, etc.
• Assist and collaborate in external or internal audits as necessary

• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor Qualifications

• Minimum Experiences: Minimum experience: Bachelor’s degree and at least six years of experience; advanced degree preferred with at three years of experience in procurement, grants, contracts, and/or partner management.

• At least two years of experience in office administration, record management, administrative and financial procedures, and internal controls or related role.

• Experience working with international donor-funded programs, preferably USAID.

• Good communicator with strong organizational, time management, and analytical skills.

• Ability to juggle competing priorities, meet demanding deadlines and work under pressure.

• Detailed-oriented.

• Advanced MS Excel and computer skills.

• Fluent in English reading, writing, and speaking**