Grants Specialist (multiple positions)

Overview

Credence Management Solutions is seeking Grant Specialists to support USAID’s humanitarian assistance efforts overseas in response to natural disasters and protracted crises, including early recovery efforts that restore and protect basic systems and services as well as risk reduction programs that prevent or reduce risks associated with chronic and recurrent hazards. The vast majority of grants and cooperative agreements are non-competitive in order to meet the need for rapid humanitarian assistance to global disasters and emergencies.

The Grant Specialist will support the application/proposal review and award making processes, and is responsible for conducting thorough reviews and cost analyses of project budgets submitted by potential partners. The Grant Specialist will also negotiate and prepare all pertinent documentation for new grants and cooperative agreements to non-governmental organizations (NGO), interagency agreements, awards to public international organizations (PIO), and all amendments/ modifications thereto, and supporting documentation such as memoranda of negotiations. The incumbent will prepare award files and obtain approval of the client’s Agreement Officer for grants and will be responsible for entering appropriate grants information into client’s assistance planning and financial systems and for maintaining and reconciling database containing grant award information, status and ownership.

Responsibilities

• Review application submissions from U.S. and non-U.S. non-government organizations (NGO) to ensure all application documents are complete, accurate, and comply with USAID Application Guidelines and requirements.
• Conduct detailed cost analysis of cost proposals/budget to determine reasonableness, allowability and allocability of proposed cost elements.
• Review partner audits to assess risk and determine organizational capacity to manage federal funds and implement programmatic activities.
• Evaluate partner requests for waivers, exceptions, and deviations to applicable federal requirements and collaborate with program staff to ensure such documentation is prepared and approved.
• Prepare and draft agreement documentation (grant schedule, negotiation memorandum, Agreement Officer Representative (AOR) delegation letters, etc.) for NGOs, PIOs, and other government agencies using standard templates and USAID systems.
• Negotiate with partners on cost estimates in budgets and the agreement terms and conditions.
• Help facilitate the Annual Program Statement (APS) and Request for Application (RFA) processes: Participate in planning meetings, draft selection committee documents, post Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on grants.gov; monitor and review application submissions and concept papers and provide technical advice to the selection committee on federal rules and regulations.
• Provide technical assistance to and respond to inquiries from AORs and program staff related to federal award making, federal regulations, and award terms and conditions.
• Review documentation and provide recommendations on award-related issues, provide guidance and support on processing necessary approvals and modifications and assist in formulating the necessary documentation and obtaining necessary clearances to process recommendations/actions with Activity Managers, AORs, and/or Agreement Officers.
• Review and process post-award approvals for the Agreement Officer including, but not limited to, procurement of capital equipment and supplies, sub-award approvals, procurement of restricted goods and commodities, and disposition of equipment and supplies.
• Conduct post-award orientations.
• Perform ad-hoc operational functions and tasks for the Grants Unit that could include, but are not limited to, reviewing and drafting internal guidance documents, coordinating pre-award letters, and tracking country specific waivers and special award conditions.
• Perform other duties and tasks delegated by the Team Lead or Deputy Manager, as needed.

Qualifications

• US citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain secret clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of relevant experience, a MS/MA/MB with 6 years of relevant experience, a JD/ABD with 5 years of relevant experience, a Ph.D. with 4 years of relevant experience, or without a degree, 10 years of relevant experience.
• Must have experience in the fields of federal assistance/grants and/or acquisitions/contracts.
• Requires experience working with USAID funded agreements and programs or other federally funded agreements providing international assistance.
• Must have experience working with federal awarding agencies and/or international non-governmental organizations.
• Requires experience interpreting and applying federal regulations (2 CFR 200 and 700) and policy directives and/or procedures (ADS 303 & 308).
• Must have experience in developing and/or reviewing program budgets, performing detailed cost analysis, and assessing cost elements for reasonableness, allowability, and allocability.
• Must have experience in writing and editing office communication products and/or professional materials and conducting presentations.
• Must have demonstrated advanced knowledge of applicable USAID Assistance Regulations such as Code of Federal Regulation (CFRs) and Automated Directive System (ADS) series; OMB Circulars and other directives governing assistance agreements.
• Requires the ability to interpret and apply federal regulations, procedures, and policies to individual assistance agreements.
• Must have strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills to express ideas verbally and in writing, document procedures, and professionally represent the organization to internal and external parties.
• Requires a demonstrated ability to conduct cost analyses of multimillion-dollar program budgets.
• Must be able to work independently in a highly demanding environment and capable of handling tasks with varying deadlines.
• Requires exceptional attention to detail and excellent analytical, critical thinking, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Must have the ability and willingness to mentor junior staff and understanding of knowledge transfer to provide training for junior staff members.
• Must have familiarity with financial management procedures and systems such as USAID Global acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS), Phoenix, ASIST or similar applications.
• Requires proficiency in basic Microsoft Office suite and/or Google suite (docs, slides, sheet).
• Must have a high level of integrity, professionalism and supports teamwork to deliver within short deadlines.