United States of America: Senior Grants Specialist

Macfadden is an employee-owned, international professional services corporation that applies integrated information technology solutions and program/project management expertise to help solve critical issues impacting the health, safety and security of the world around us. Since 1986, federal agencies have relied on Macfadden for critical support in the areas of international disaster response, development and humanitarian assistance, information technology solutions, financial management systems support and knowledge management and communications.

Today, Macfadden provides innovative solutions that enable our customers to protect America's food supply more efficiently and bring medical breakthroughs to market sooner; rapidly respond to complex international disaster relief efforts; develop and maintain critical government IT financial systems and safeguard key government information systems. We support our customer's mission to help emerging democracies in Eastern Europe and Eurasia develop their economic infrastructures; help meet compliance requirements and improve transparency through effective records and information management programs; and help preserve many of our nation's most treasured historical documents through our data capture and digital conversion services.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Grants Specialist will negotiate and prepare all pertinent documentation for new grants, cooperative agreements, interagency agreements, awards to public international organizations, and all amendments/ modifications thereto, and supporting documentation such as waivers and memoranda of negotiations. This individual will ensure package of documents is complete for the approval and signature of the Agreement Officer. The Senior Grant Specialist will explain the legal requirements, policies and regulations, negotiation terms and grant procedures to U.S. and non-U.S. organizations interested in applying for grants. The individual will work with client to develop grant funding opportunities and post them on www.grants.gov and advise client’s technical review committee on grants and budget issues. The Senior Grant Specialist will participate in pre-award reviews and assessments and provide guidance as necessary.

This position supports the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance’s (DCHA), Office of Food for Peace (FFP) which manages emergency and development food assistance projects.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree with 15 years of relevant experience; or
• MS/MA/MB with 12 years of relevant experience; or
• JD/ABD with 10 years of relevant experience; or
• Ph.D. with 8 years of relevant experience; or
• Less than BS/BA with 20 years of relevant experience

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in the fields of acquisition and assistance/grants and/or financial analysis, law, accounting/auditing, systems or business analysis. (See “Education” section for number of years of required experience.);
• Experience in managing, negotiating and resolving highly complex tasks, awards and award-related issues in an effective manner;
• Experience in professional/customer service delivery; and
• Experience in writing, editing office communication products and/or professional materials and conducting presentation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Qualified candidates must possess:

• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable USAID Assistance Regulations such as Code of Federal Regulation (CFRs), Automated Directive System (ADS) series, OMB Circulars and other directives governing grants and contracting;
• Exceptional attention to detail and excellent analytical, critical thinking and organizational skills;
• Familiarity with financial management procedures and systems such as FFP Management Information System (FFPMIS), USAID Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS), Phoenix, ASIST or similar applications.
• Proficiency in basic Microsoft Office suite (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and/or Google suite (docs, slides, sheet);
• High level of integrity, professionalism including teamwork and ability to deliver within short deadlines, work under pressure and multi-task in fast-paced environment;
• Excellent leadership and management skills;
• Professional level communication skill in both oral and written forms.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the pre-award, award and post-award processes for assigned USAID/FFP highly complex awards;
• Solicit, negotiate and prepare grants, cooperative agreements, interagency agreements, plus amendments/modifications and supporting documentation, such as memoranda of negotiation for designated Agreement Officer’s signature;
• Manage the receipt, duplication and distribution of Notifications of Funding Opportunities (NFOs), i.e., Annual Program Statement (APS) and Request for Application (RFA) materials, to include but not limited to concept papers and application submissions;
• Conduct pre-award risk assessment of applicants to determine awardee eligibility;
• Conduct cost analysis to determine reasonableness, allowability and allocability of proposed costs for assigned awards.
• Develop or revise templates, as required, associated with the administration of grants and cooperative agreements to include but is not limited to formal memos and letters, modifications, award documents, waivers and close-out documentation and standard operating procedures;
• Provide guidance to USAID FFP, U.S. or Non-U.S. partner organizations the legal requirements, policies and regulations, award terms and procedures for USAID grants;
• Provide training, technical assistance, oversight, advice, expertise, and consultation to program officials, awardees, review panels, applicants, as needed;
• Provide training to mid- and junior- level grants specialists, as needed.
• Assist in preparation and dissemination of guidelines for grants management submissions, detailed implementation plans, annual, mid-term, and final reports, evaluations, related studies, and other documents required for awards (i.e., transfer authorizations, grants and/or cooperative agreements, etc.);
• Utilize USAID and FFP management information systems to enter data and generate award documents; including other USG management information systems, such as GLAAS, Phoenix, ASIST, etc., as well for research, reporting on progress and generating data to support report writing and information sharing;
• Lead and manage a team, as assigned.
• Perform all assigned tasks independently with minimal supervision and/or work in teams, as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Negotiate, prepare and administer grants, cooperative agreements, or other related instruments;
• Provide guidance and recommendations on USAID grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts (e.g., emergency and development awards and modifications under all funding sources) and draft/update related documents;
• Assist in preparation and dissemination of guidelines for grants management submissions, detailed implementation plans, annual, mid-term, and final reports, evaluations, related studies, and other documents required for awards (i.e., transfer authorizations, grants and/or cooperative agreements, etc.);
• Assist in preparation of annual country documentation (waivers, exemptions, notwithstanding memos, etc...).
• 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 the Activity Manager, AOR, and/or AO;
• Review and propose updates to informal and formal guidance and guidelines which will include the Guidelines for Unsolicited Proposals and Reporting, grants-related templates, training materials, information bulletins and other resources, as necessary.
• Participate in the review of concept papers, applications (including large and small grants), budgets, and agreement conditions, prepare documents for review, and finalize the award by the designated USAID Agreement Officer;
• Deploy to field locations to support and participate in selection committees, if needed;
• Assist in the drafting of selection committee documents, including but not limited to issues letters, selection committee and negotiation memos, and rejection letters;
• Develop a screening process to assist in the identification of problem areas and issues that need to be included in applications and reports;
• Prepare documentation to support program review and approval activities to include but not limited to review of internal transport, shipping and handling (ITSH), Section 202(e), Community Development Funds, and monetization budgets; drafting memoranda and preparing transfer authorizations (TAs), grants, and cooperative agreements and drafting program approval letters and outgoing cables for new applications and on-going activities, as needed;
• Develop or revise terms of reference, as required, associated with the institutionalization of interagency coordination and agreements between FFP and other USG agencies or partners. Assist in preparing necessary documentation for appropriate signatures, as well as organizing the first formalization of agreement between the parties.
• Provide technical support to report on program results and impact data and measure program indicators;
• Organize a reporting system for special initiatives, as needed.
• Perform any other tasks, as needed.

U.S. Citizenship is required; selected candidate must be able to qualify for a government sponsored security clearance.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.

This position description reflects Macfadden’s assignment of essential functions; nothing in this job description restricts the Company’s latitude to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Macfadden provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Macfadden complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Macfadden expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Macfadden’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge. This policy covers conduct occurring at Macfadden’s offices, client sites, other locations where Macfadden is providing services, and to all work-related activities.

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