Grants Manager

Position Location:     Ramallah, Palestine

 

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike. 

 

Creative Associates seeks a Grants Officer for the USAID-funded West Bank and Gaza (WBG) Basic Education Activity, which will strengthen education services for Palestinian children of KG 1 through Grade 6 that enable them to thrive and reach their full developmental potential. Under the Basic Education Activity, USAID seeks to work with the private sector, non-formal, non-governmental, community-based, UN, and civil society partners to strengthen early childhood and primary educational opportunities through high quality early childhood education services and supplemental support structures to strengthen foundational pre-primary and primary education for children in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. Specific areas of focus anticipated include strengthening foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, social emotional learning (SEL)/soft skills, building teacher and student resilience capabilities and assets, and strengthening pathways between non-formal to formal education.

Creative Associates International seeks a Grants Manager for an anticipated USAID-funded West Bank Gaza Basic Education Activity (WBG-BEA) in Ramallah. The Grants Manager will provide sound business advice to the project on (as well as oversee the administration of) its grants program.

 

The Grants Manager will report to and be supervised by the DCOP

 

• Successful facilitation of project grants program as outlined in its Grant Manual;
• Provide sound business advice to the project on the management of its grant program;
• Award impactful grants that are compliant with client rules and regulations, and Creative policies.
• Ensure compliance with USAID Mission Order 21 requirements.

• Oversee/facilitate all aspects of the grant lifecycle and supervising grants staff; contribute to market research, preparation of Notice of Funding Opportunities, grant design, facilitating evaluation process, pre-award risk assessment, budget development, kick-off meetings, award monitoring, and closeout processes;
• Conduct iterative trainings to ensure that technical staff and grantees understand and adhere to grant policies, procedures, practices, roles/responsibilities, and Creative’s grants management system, SMART;
• Ensure quality control and the integrity of data in Creative’s online grant management system, SMART, and the client’s (if applicable), and ensure that the data in the system is always up-to-date in order to provide grants data in a moment’s notice to upper management;
• Analyze activity budgets for allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and consistency; work with program staff to negotiate budgets;
• Ensure timely preparation of grant documentation, such as agreements, neg memos, and amendments;
• Identify issues that may arise during grant implementation in a timely manner, propose and execute appropriate adjustments;
• Demonstrate creative problem solving in addressing and resolving emerging project needs;
• Accountable for up-to-date and audit-ready grant files;
• Participate in the development of the projects annual workplan;
• Coordinate with procurement and finance departments to implement and disburse in-kind grants;
• Contribute on interviews and in the selection process for grant staff;
• Prepare updates, reports, and analyses regarding the grants program to the Chief of Party, HQ Project Director, and Director of Grants Management;
• Incorporate lessons learned in order to improve processes and procedures based on realities of the project;
• Assist with updating the grants manual and/or templates based on realities of the project; and
• Other tasks as assigned by the Chief of Party (CoP) or CoP’s designee.

Preparing scheduled and special reports, studies and analyses regarding the grants under contract program to the Chief of Party, DCOP, HQ Project Director and USAID.

• Must have 6+ years of general work experience, 4+ years of grants experience, and 3+ years of supervisory experience with groups or teams of staff;
• Bachelors’ degree or professional qualifications in accounting, finance, business, and/or international development is required;
• Fluency in spoken and written English highly desired, advanced knowledge required;
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity;
• Ability to think critically through a situation that does not conform to common practice;
• Ability to interpret client rules and regulations;
• Competent computer skills is essential (i.e. Microsoft Word and Excel);
• Experience in using grants management software is desirable;
• Understanding of budget and cost control management essential;
• USAID program experience desirable;
• Ability to work under pressure and efficiently handle multiple tasks; and
• Ability to work under own initiative or as a part of a team

Deadline: 19 December 2023

 

 Apply at: [email protected]

 

Only finalists will be contacted.  No phone calls, please.

Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (gender/race/disability/veteran) and provides equal opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.