Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist

Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist

Category - Grants/Contracts

Overview

Global Communities is an international development non-profit organization. Our mission is to create long-lasting, positive and community-led change that improves the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable people across the globe.

Global Communities is seeking a Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist at the headquarters in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland.

This role supports organization-wide adherence to grant making, contracting and budgeting standards and systems, identifies gaps, and makes recommendations for improvement.

Responsibilities

1. Reviews and helps to validate donor contracts, grant agreements, and modifications before signature.

2. Prepares and reviews draft donor-funded contracts, subgrants, and modifications for goods and services.

• Participates in negotiating the terms and conditions of agreements, including establishing the responsibility of sub-awardees and contractors.
• Conducts price and/or cost analyses of sub-awardee and contractor budgets.
• Ensures compliance with donor regulations and Global Communities policies, and that Global Communities corporate, programmatic and financial interests are represented in such agreements.
• Helps to maintain and update agreement and budget templates.

3. Leads and participates in evaluations of donor-funded proposals, bids, or quotations, prepares recommendations for award, and obtains approvals when required.

4. Conducts research on the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR), and other federal regulations and policies to ensure compliance and to provide guidance to Global Communities staff on compliance issues. Keeps abreast of non-federal donors Global Communities works with and advises Global Communities staff on regulations and policies applicable to those donors. Conducts other research as required.

5. Reviews proposal budgets, budget narratives, and budget modifications for accuracy of calculations, for internal consistency, and to ensure all budgeted costs are allowable and in accordance with donor regulations and Global Communities policies.

6. Works to ensure donor-funded grant making, contracting and budgeting coordination between departments.

7. Assists in developing and updating grant and contract manuals and guidelines for HQ and field office use.

8. Provides guidance to Global Communities HQ and field staff on compliance issues. Helps ensure compliance with all government regulations and policies as well as applicable donor regulations and policies.

9. Assists in developing grant-making, contracting and budgeting training modules for Global Communities staff, and delivers or assists in the delivery of such training.

10. Undertakes all other duties and projects as may be assigned from time to time.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• In depth knowledge of US Government procurement practices and regulations found in 2 CFR 200, 48 CFR (FAR and AIDAR) and USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS). General understanding of non-federal donor organizations helpful.
• Excellent critical thinking skills and sound judgment. Proven willingness to make timely and sound decisions based on accurate judgment.
• Ability to effectively communicate work responsibilities and activities to a variety of different audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills as necessary to work effectively with persons on all levels both inside and outside the agency.
• Fluency in English, written and oral. Abilities in a second language preferred.
• Proven ability to effectively use databases spreadsheet, word processing, and position-specific software.
• Ability to work effectively in an atmosphere of multiple projects, shifting priorities, and deadline pressure with a minimum of supervision and direction.
• Ability to work an irregular schedule on occasion with the ability to travel internationally occasionally and on short notice.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to read and interpret documents and ability to sit at a computer and operate a keyboard.

Qualifications

• A Master's degree and a minimum of 2 years of relevant grants and contracts experience; or a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years of relevant grants and contracts experience.
• Experience must include a minimum of one year experience supporting USAID grants and contracts for an international development organization.
• Experience reviewing or preparing donor budgets highly desirable.
• Experience with non-federal contracts, grants, and budgets highly desirable.
• Experience developing and/or conducting training exercises helpful.
  Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must have U.S. work authorization.

Global Communities is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. EOE/AA - Minorities/Females/Veterans/Individual with Disabilities.