Grants Manager – USAID Honduras Activity At American Institutes for Research

Overview

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Crystal City, Virginia, AIR is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research on important social issues and delivers technical assistance and capacity building services domestically and internationally in health, social development, education, and workforce to a growing roster of clients and partners. Our mission is to generate and use rigorous evidence that contributes to a better, more equitable world.

AIR’s International Development Division (IDD) strives to improve the quality of life in developing countries by using rigorous research and evaluation to enhance education and social development. We work across a wide range of topics including workforce development, agriculture/food/nutrition, early childhood development, education, refugees and migration, social protection, water/sanitation/infrastructure, and women’s empowerment in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Central and Latin America as well as the Middle East. The IDD generates policy-relevant evidence through rigorous monitoring, evaluations, and research; helps improve program design through continuous learning and adaptation; and works with local organizations and governments to build sustainable solutions based on evidence.

IDD is actively seeking a Grants Manager for an anticipated five-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Activity in Honduras. The program will holistically support USAID/Honduras in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) and collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) in alignment with USAID’s Evaluation Policy and the Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR). Specifically, this activity seeks to: (1) design, implement, and disseminate findings from evaluations, assessments, surveys, and monitoring analyses; (2) facilitate intentional CLA use among USAID internal and external stakeholders; (3) provide technical assistance to measurable increase MEL capacity among USAID staff and implementing partners, local organizations, government counterparts, private sector and academia.

Responsibilities

The Grants Manager is responsible for assisting in the design, administration, and oversight of the project’s grants under contract (GUC) mechanism, through which the project will provide grants to local organizations to conduct project activities and participate in capacity building efforts. S/he is responsible for developing a GUC manual for the project, ensuring it is compliant with USAID rules and regulations and IMPAQ policies and procedures. S/he will oversee the full grant cycle including developing the requests for application, convening the technical review committees, conducting pre-award assessments, drafting and finalizing grant agreements, monitoring grant implementation, and closing out grant agreements upon completion. S/he will train and provide ongoing mentorship to grantees on grant administration, reporting, and financial compliance. S/he will conduct regular reviews, and if needed audits, of grant documentation to ensure that grants are being implemented in accordance with USAID rules and regulations. S/he will provide monthly progress reports on grant implementation to the COP and the Finance and Administration Director to ensure activities are implemented according to the project workplan.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in Business Administration, Accounting, and/or equivalent work experience;
• At least 5 years of experience in grant design, administration, and management for a USAID-funded program;
• Proven command of USAID Contract Management and Grant Management policies and procedures;
• Experience training, mentoring, and building the capacity of local organizations in grant implementation and management;
• Experience developing grants management systems, including systems for monitoring and tracking progress of grant implementation;
• Proven ability to work in a professional and cordial manner with staff members, visitors, and the general public;
• Excellent ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team, to exercise good, professional judgment that reflects positively on the image of the project, IMPAQ International, and USAID;
• Strong facilitation, networking, and team management skills;
• Excellent written and oral communication and outstanding interpersonal skills;
• Demonstrated attention to details and expertise in organizational and prioritization skills;
• Deep familiarity with Honduran culture, society, and development context; and
• Excellent English writing and speaking (S/4 and R/4 levels at least) skills, required.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks.