Senior Budget & Compliance Specialist

Every employee of IRI is responsible for carrying out the Mission of IRI and demonstrating the Core Values in their day-to-day operations. The Core Values, which are IRI’s foundational building blocks include:

Excellence– We believe in quality results delivered by investing in people. Freedom– We believe in exploration and experimentation to be agile and responsive. Respect- We believe in trust, empathy and empowering people. Teamwork- We believe in diversity, inclusion and the power of global collaboration. Transparency– We believe in open communication and clear decision-making. Accountability- We believe in personal responsibility as the foundation of success.

The Senior Budget & Compliance Specialist, as part of the Business Development team, will review cost applications and ensure completeness against the solicitation and proposed project design. The Budget & Compliance Specialist will also provide various support and resources to proposal teams using sound financial judgement. This position is based in Washington, DC and reports to the Senior Business Development Manager of Budgeting and Compliance.

Position Requirements:

• Undergraduate or Master’s degree in business, finance, international relations, or related field.
• Five to Seven years of professional experience working with complex budgets, cost applications, finance teams, or proposals with US government-funded programs and/or grant proposals, especially USAID and the Department of State.
• Proficient in the application of relevant cost principles, budgeting methodologies, and cost presentations of U.S. funders (USAID and Department of State).
• Communicates budget concepts, procedures, narratives, and justifications clearly and concisely.
• Understands USAID Standard Provisions, 2 CFR 200 and 700, and other relevant federal regulations.
• Multitasks effectively in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong knowledge of MS Office, particularly Excel budget development, and advanced formula utilization and data analysis capabilities.
• Ability to be flexible and adjust priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, with strong attention to detail, as well as the ability to be flexible and adjust priorities based on time pressures.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate and lead the efforts of other professionals to effectively meet program goals and deadlines.
• Proven ability to coordinate with multiple teams across consortium partners.
• Other relevant programmatic skills and management is a plus.

Preferred:

• Experience working on and contributing to USAID-funded proposals.
• Proactive in identifying and solving problems.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Serves as the primary liaison between Business Development and IRI’s dedicated DRG mechanism team on all matters related to cost applications and budget modifications funded via the mechanism.
• Leads the cost application development process for a pre-competed DRG mechanism, ensuring completeness against the solicitation and proposed project design.
• In coordination with team, prepares and/or modifies IRI budget templates for budget modifications and other budget actions in accordance with IRI standard practices.
• Schedules all internal IRI budget-related consultations and reviews for all mechanism budget actions, including proposals, extensions, realignments, and add-ons.
• For all mechanism budget actions (including proposals, extensions, realignments, and add-ons) reviews cost application proposals in response to funder/client requirements including proposal budgets and cost narratives;
• Ensures that all cost applications accurately reflect all necessary expenses as required by IRI policies and procedures.
• Communicates with program and program services staff to support cost proposal efforts.
• Ensures compliance of final formatting and production of cost proposal elements.
• Provides strategic cost advice related to operational approaches, management structures, complex and rapid startup projects, and establishment of new field offices, in consult with Finance and Front Office Staff.
• Assists proposal teams with developing cost-related responses to post submission questions;
• Seeks opportunities to streamline cost and pricing processes and strengthening IRI’s business development practices.

Other Responsibilities: Tracking & Reporting

• Tracks mechanism proposal and award modification submissions, providing real-time updates to IRI’s Business Development team on related revenue. Verifies tracker data with BD Senior Associate.
• Supports overhead cost tracking by preparing cost estimates for proposal efforts and providing charge codes to proposal teams.
• Collects and analyzes feedback to mechanism partners on cost applications, identifying trends, and preparing reports for the mechanism team and Business Development staff to inform proposal development efforts.
• Contributes to staff development and education on budget development under the
• Other duties as assigned.