The Senior Specialist, Grants & Contracts is responsible for supporting SCUS and SCI in the management and oversight of Save the Children US (SCUS) awards throughout the award lifecycle.
The Senior Specialist’s portfolio may consist of a broad variety of donors including but not limited to international and domestic US Government funding (e.g. USAID, OFDA, BPRM, DHHS, DOE, USDA), Global Fund, UNHCR, World Bank, WFP, various corporate and foundation funders such as the Gates Foundation, and contribution funding.
S/he provides support to include proposal review and approval; subaward review and approval; review of award data in the SCUS award management and financial system; guidance on award terms to ensure compliance with SCUS and donor requirements and policies; analysis/ assessment of award information as needed to address issues; research into compliance issues and developing guidance; and support on proper award closeout.
S/he is also responsible for developing and leading training and capacity building on donor requirements to support SCUS and Save the Children International (Save the Children’s implementation arm), Award Managers (International and domestic programs staff), Country Offices as needed, and subrecipients and other stakeholders as available on his/her current portfolio mix.
The Senior Specialist identifies and raises areas of compliance concern and develops recommendations for improvements. S/he will also make recommendations for system and process improvements and assist in developing, maintaining and updating Grants and Contracts resources and tools for organizational use.
- Infrastructure: Work with GCPC leadership, SCI, and other stakeholders, departments to ensure grants and contracts are managed efficiently through a variety of means; update policies; support SCUS and SCI in developing organizational capacity to administer grants and contracts. Facilitate, support, perform country office USAID readiness assessments as needed, and develop/update relevant rules and regulations. (15%)
- Award Administration: Support assigned grant and contract award portfolio, ensure records are accurately set up in our award management and financial system; Review of cost proposals, solicitations, awards and other related grant and contract documents; provide feedback and identify risk factors on cost proposals, solicitations, agreements, subawards and modifications; FAR and AIDAR contract references; update and maintain templates and manuals; review and approve award-related information in the organization’s award management and financial systems; Liaise when contacted by relevant stakeholders in finance, billing, Award Management, on grant and contract reporting issues. (60%)
- Training and Technical Assistance: Update, develop and deliver formal and informal trainings on grant and contract topics and develop/maintain resources, including innovative and interactive communications tools, share best practices; provide timely support. Focus on transferring knowledge on both grants and contracts administration and associated rules and regulations within and across teams, and with SCI to build increased organizational capacity. Lead targeted capacity building efforts to support internal stakeholders such as business teams. Take detailed rules, regulations, policies, etc. and clearly explain fundamental points to various audiences using a variety of training and capacity building methods (15%)
- Compliance: Maintain knowledge with USG and other major funder rules and regulations; communicate changes to SCUS and SCI (10%)
- 5-7 years' experience in contracting activities through the award lifecycle;
- Experience supporting/facilitating assessments such as country office USAID contract readiness assessments;
- Proven experience in the compliance function in the area of grants, contracts, especially US federal (USAID). Gates, Global Fund, European governments, and other donors helpful;
- Experience in budget review, award negotiation, subcontract management, procurement and subcontracts- especially US federal funding;
- Advanced knowledge of federal assistance regulations required. Knowledge of federal acquisition regulations such as FAR and AIDAR preferred;
- Grants and Contracts management experience required;
- Proven experience in training and capacity building of internal and external teams required. Experience developing compelling online training modules (in coordination with e-learning vendors) preferred;
- Strong strategic planning, communications, and organizational skills required;
- Ability to prioritize workload and multitask in a high-paced, demanding environment;
- Strong analytical and research skills;
- Knowledge of federal audit requirements/process for grants and contracts preferred;
- Sense of humor is a must; and,
- Ability and willingness to travel approximately up to 10-15% of the time (US and international).
Behavioral Competencies
- Demonstrates Save the Children’s core values of accountability, collaboration, integrity, ambition, and creativity;
- Leading: takes initiative to actively identify areas for learning to develop self and others; aligns performance to deliver results;
- Engaging: Balances focus on tasks with attention to building relationships, identifying, monitoring, and strengthening partnerships, and networking with key stakeholders internally, cross functionally and externally; Proven ability to work effectively independently and in multi-cultural team environments;
- Communicating with Impact: Excellent written and verbal English language skills. Proven ability to communicate effectively with individuals and group at all levels;
- Thinking: Actively applies technical and professional experience; in close collaboration with others, able to solve problems, make decisions, and facilitate implementation and encourage acceptance of change for success while building trust; applies innovative solutions and encourages others to seek opportunities that adapt to new environments; and,
- Service Orientation- Anticipates and responds promptly to internal/external customer’s needs. Solicits customer feedback.
- Meaningful work, with a knowledge that you are changing the lives of children all around the world
- A family friendly work environment
- Highly collaborative and innovative teams
- Generous paid vacation days, holidays, family leave days, and sick time
- Healthcare plans including medical, dental, and life insurance
- Retirement savings account with matching company contributions
- Structured and formalized management development and coaching programs for mid and senior level managers
- Extensive e-learning opportunities on a variety of topics offered through our affiliation with several prestigious universities as well as language learning opportunities