Creative Associates International
Overview
Background:
Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.
Activity Summary
Creative Associates is currently competing for the EDY: Youth Grow Activity. The Activity will work to 1) Increase youth access to high-quality career planning information and livelihood opportunities, 2) Strengthen youth leadership through targeted support of local youth-led and youth-serving organizations in order to promote youth participation as decision makers and key contributors to individual, household, community, and national well-being and 3) Strengthen Government of Jordan (GOJ) systems, in partnership with youth, to provide more coordinated and effective services, practices, and policies that embody the principles of Positive Youth Development
Position Summary:
The Grants Manager will be responsible for all aspects of the grants process, keeping the grants plan and process up to date. The Grants Manager will manage the Grant Platform (SMART) and register new grant proposals. The Grants Manager will collaborate with technical leads throughout the grant making process and ensure team members clearly understand roles and responsibilities during the development, management, and close out of the grants process. The Grants Manager will manage Creative policies and procedures and USAID’s Automated Policy System (ADS) and Procurement Regulations (AIDAR), the U.S. government’s Federal Procurement Regulation (FAR), and the regulations that apply to Youth Grow activities and awards.The Grants Manager is expected to provide capacity building support to grantees throughout the grant lifecycle and ensure grantees enhance management capabilities throughout the project life cycle.
Responsibilities
Reporting & Supervision:
The Grants Manager will report to and be supervised by Deputy Chief of Party- Operations.
- Lead all aspects of the grant lifecycle; contribute to market research, preparation of Notice of Funding Opportunities, grant design, facilitating evaluation process, pre-award risk assessment, budget development, kick-off meetings, award monitoring, and closeout processes;
- Conduct iterative training to ensure that technical staff and grantees understand and adhere to grant policies, procedures, practices, roles/responsibilities, and Creative’s grants management system, SMART;
- Provide ongoing mentorship to project team members on the grants lifecycle, roles and responsibilities, and expected contributions. The Grants Manager should contribute to the overall team understanding of the grant making process to better optimize technical and operational contributions;
- In collaboration with Component Leads, identify, collaborate with, and build the capacity of critical stakeholders, including community-based organizations (CBOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), youth-serving organizations (YSOs), youth-led organizations (YLOs), to expand the pipeline of potential grantees. The Grants Manager will ensure grantees build skills that will enhance performance and capacity over the life of the project
- Ensure quality control and the integrity of data in Creative’s online grant management system, SMART, and the client’s (if applicable), and ensure that the data in the system is always up-to-date in order to provide grants data in a moment’s notice to upper management;
- In collaboration with the technical team, the Grants Manager will analyze activity budgets for allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and consistency; work with program staff to negotiate budgets;
- Ensure timely preparation of grant documentation, such as agreements, neg memos, and amendments;
- Identify issues that may arise during grant implementation in a timely manner, propose and execute appropriate adjustments;
- Incorporate lessons learned in order to improve processes and procedures based on the realities of the project;
- In collaboration with other team members, participate and provide inputs to ensure the timely preparation of required reports and deliverables, including annual workplans, quarterly, annual, and financial reports in accordance with USAID guidelines Demonstrate creative problem solving in addressing and resolving emerging project needs;
- Accountable for up-to-date and audit-ready grant files;
- Participate in the development of the projects annual workplan;
- Contribute to interviews and in the selection process for grant staff;
- Prepare updates, reports, and analyses regarding the grants program to the Deputy Chief of Party, Chief of Party, Project Director, and Director of Grants Management;
- Assist with updating the grants manual and/or templates based on realities of the project; and
- Other tasks as assigned.
Qualifications
- Must have 6+ years of general work experience, 4+ years of grants experience, and 3+ years of supervisory experience with groups or teams of staff;
- Bachelors’ degree or professional qualifications in accounting, finance, business, and/or international development is required;
- Fluency in spoken and written English required,
- Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity;
- Ability to think critically through a situation that does not conform to common practice;
- Ability to interpret client rules and regulations;
- Competent computer skills is essential (i.e. Microsoft Word and Excel);
- Experience in using grants management software is desirable;
- Understanding of budget and cost control management essential;
- USAID program experience is highly desirable;
- Ability to work under pressure and efficiently handle multiple tasks; and
- Ability to work under own initiative or as a part of a team
Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran.
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