Grants Specialist

The Grants Specialist will negotiate and prepare all pertinent documentation for new grants and cooperative agreements, and all amendments/ modifications thereto, as well as supporting documentation such as memorandum of negotiation. The Grants Specialist will review and record incoming requisitions for grant funding, for accuracy prior to forwarding the grant requisitions to client’s Agreement Officer’s Representatives. The Grant Specialist will prepare and audit all award files and obtain the approval and signature of the client’s Agreement Officer for grants. The individual will be responsible for entering the appropriate grant information into the client’s assistance planning and financial systems and for maintaining and reconciling databases containing grant award information, status and ownership. This individual is also responsible for dissemination of grant documents to grantees, and other client’s stakeholders. In addition, the Grant Specialist must be familiar with the technical aspects of the portfolios that he/she supports to permit full and active participation as a representative of the OFDA Team and the Grants Unit 

This position supports the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance’s (DCHA), Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA).

Key Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

• Conduct cost analysis of budget proposals in accordance with 2 CFR 200 and internal USAID/OFDA policies to determine whether proposed costs are reasonable, allowable and allocable.
• Conduct risk assessments of applicants to determine awardee eligibility using A-133 audits and Recipient Contract Audits (RCA).
• Negotiate and prepare USAID/OFDA grants, cooperative agreements, and/or other federal assistance instruments in accordance with ADS 303 and 308, as well as, amendments/modifications and supporting documentation, memorandum of negotiation for designated Agreement Officer’s signature;
• Provide guidance and recommendations on USAID/OFDA grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts and draft/update related documents;
• Assist in facilitation of annual USAID/OFDA 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;
• Conduct Post-Award Orientation for USAID/OFDA partners;
• 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;
• Utilize OFDA and USAID management information systems including GLAAS, Phoenix and ASIST for award obligations and tracking;
• Perform all assigned tasks independently with minimal supervision and/or work in teams, as needed.

Education, Experience and Skills:

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of relevant experience
• MS/MA/MB with 6 years of relevant experience
• Less than BA with 10 years of relevant experience

Professional certification in grants management and/or completion of the Grants Management Certificate Program is desired.

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in the fields of federal acquisition and assistance with emphasis on grants and cooperative agreements (See “Education” section for number of years of required experience.).
• Experience working with USAID funded awards desired.
• Experience working with federal awarding agencies and/or international non-governmental organizations.
• Experience in managing, negotiating and resolving, awards and award-related issues in an effective manner.
• Experience in professional/ customer service delivery.
• Experience in writing and editing office communication products and/or professional materials.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:  

            Qualified candidate must possess:

• Familiarity with USAID Assistance Regulations such as Code of Federal Regulation (CFRs), Automated Directive System (ADS) series, OMB Circulars and other directives governing grants and contracting.
• Progressive knowledge of assistance regulations, policies and procedures and understanding of how to execute and administer a complex acquisition and assistance, is required, particularly as it relates to acquisition through methods of negotiation, grants making that result in standard and established contract and agreements/grants types.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Familiarity with Federal funding sources and programs.
• Familiarity with financial management procedures and systems such as the USAID Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS), Phoenix, ASIST or similar applications.
• Proficiency in basic Microsoft Office suite (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google suite (Gmail, docs, slides, sheet).
• High level of integrity, professionalism including teamwork and ability to deliver within short deadlines, work under pressure and multi-tasking skills.
• Professional level communication skills in both oral and written forms.

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