Overview
Background:
Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based 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.
Project Summary:
NEA/AC Supporting Civil Society in Syria project aims to strengthen the capacity of Syrian CSOs and the institution of Syrian civil society as a whole to serve Syrian citizens; support CSOs to advance peaceful coexistence; and support CSOs to hold local authorities accountable. The project activities to be supported through this funding opportunity will broadly aim to advance peaceful coexistence and strengthen accountability in targeted communities while enhancing the capacity of CSOs to serve and represent all Syrians.
Responsibilities
Position Summary:
Creative Associates seeks a Senior Grants Manager the U.S. Department of State’s funded program inSyria. S/he will be responsible to ensure effective and efficient management of subaward administration and to ensure flexible, innovative, and rapid-response mechanisms are designed to program objectives in Northeast Syria. S/he will also ensure that award management and administration function is always in compliance with Creative and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs’ policies and procedures; and will work towards capacity building of the recipients as well as the other staff members in the area of subaward management.
Reporting & Supervision:
Reports directly to the Team Lead and supervises the Grants Officer.
Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
- Provide oversight and management of grants staff and subaward program;
- Organize and coordinate organizational staffing structure and workflow of grants staff activities and administration;
- Responsible for ensuring compliance with Creative’s policies as detailed in the Field Manual and project manuals;
- Coordinate closely with program staff to ensure timely administration and monitoring of FASs
- Coordinate with finance, procurement, and program staff to facilitate kick-off meeting, monitoring and closeout of activities;
- Coordinate closely with operations, procurement, and program team to ensure activity-level spending is meeting program expectations and provide quality control on any required budget modifications
- Provide guidance and interpretation for program staff as well as awardees of Creative’s sub-awardee policies and procedures and U.S. Government regulations;
- Manage the subaward and direct implementation pipeline;
- Manage the financial commitments, spending, and de-obligations of all program fund sources;
- Ensure that subaward master files are always up-to-date and ready for audit;
- Lead the grants management team to serve as a central point of subaward activity coordination and facilitation;
- Provide support to technical units on subaward compliance;
- Provide training in subaward compliance to project staff; and
- Perform tasks as needed.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in management, financial analysis or accounting desirable; Master’s degree preferred;
- At least five (5) years’ experience with sub-grants management, preferably inthe Middle East; minimum of three years working in international development;
- Solid understanding ofdonorregulations and procedures pertaining to grants management;
- Solid understanding of Syria’s civil society landscape;
- Demonstrated ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects;
- Ability to analyze technical and cost proposals and prepare reports and recommendations onwhether or notapplicants should be funded;
- Ability to analyze budget line items for compliance with budget guidelines;
- Proven records maintenance and database management skills; and
- Speaking, writing and reading fluency in English andArabic.
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