Grants Specialist, Rapid Response Activity
Management Systems International (MSI), a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, D.C. metro area management consultancy with a 40-year history of delivering results for our clients. Our expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation; democracy and governance; peace and stability; rule of law and accountability; education; gender and inclusion; strategic communications; and leadership and organizational development. MSI has implemented projects in 90 countries around the world such as Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Ukraine, and works domestically. We support clients ranging from the U.S. Government (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Departments of State and Labor, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation) to large bilateral and multilateral donors (e.g., the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program). We also work with national and local governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.
Project Summary:
The Rapid Response Activity is an ongoing project that seeks to improve stability in conflict affected areas, particularly the northern West Bank. It aims to alleviate grievances, to strengthen communities’ abilities to withstand shocks and stressors, and to provide opportunities for youth impacted by violence and conflict. Managed under the GISR MENA mechanism, the activity operates to respond to immediate and emergent needs, to improve short-term stability in specific geographic areas that have recently emerged as flashpoints.
**Please note: Only West Bank-Gaza residents are eligible for this position**
Position Summary:
The Grants Specialist (GS) will be primarily responsible for conducting grantee eligibility checks, developing and tracking activity budgets, drafting grant agreements, negotiation memos, and modifications, drafting consulting agreements for consultants under activities, and maintaining all program related files. The GS will maintain regular communication with the grantees and conducts site visits, ensuring that all deliverables are met. The GS will perform activity closings, ensuring that each grant file is complete and provides ongoing monitoring and evaluation support under USAID regulations. This position will report to the Grants Manager (GM) and will be based in Ramallah.
Responsibilities:
- Provide support to grants and other activities, under the supervision of the GM.
- Support weekly reporting on grant and activity implementation to the rest of the program team.
- Support the GM in drawing up grant documents and consultant contracts, reviewing travel expense reports, and tracking payments for grants or consultant deliverables.
- Support the monitoring the progress of and reporting for activities, grant agreements, and deliverables under grants and consulting contracts.
- Develop and review grant or other activity budgets in consultation with the procurement team, Field Coordinators, and Program Development Officer.
- Draft solicitation documents for inviting and receiving applications, ensuring appropriate and latest criteria are used, and in compliance with organizational requirements.
- Participate, support, and facilitate the tasks of the grants review committees.
- Ensure smooth and efficient implementation of processes through the granting cycle, in compliance with USAID rules and regulations, as well as MSI grants policies.
- Oversee grantees' reporting and ensure compliance with all MSI and USAID rules and regulations.
- Maintain updated auditable records of all sub-grants and related documents.
- Participate in training applicants/grantees on grant management, as necessary.
- Monitor and follow up to ensure that grant recipients comply with the terms and conditions of the grant agreements.
- Ensure that all costs incurred by grantees are allowable, allocable, and reasonable in coordination with the finance team and the stated results of the grant are achieved on schedule.
- Support the vetting and verification processes for grantees and beneficiaries as required by USAID.
- Maintain accurate and timely program and grant documentation in electronic, hard copy, and back-up copies as appropriate for each, and ensure that completed grants are closed in a timely manner according to deadlines.
- Maintain constant and close communication with the GM and other program team members to plan for any contingencies and troubleshoot any implementation challenges.
- Assist with special projects and tasks in support of the GM, the technical team, or other staff members as needed.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required, preferably in accounting, business, project management, or other related discipline.
- Minimum three years of relevant experience including working with grants on development projects is required.
- Experience with USAID and/or other donor-funded stabilization/rapid response programming is highly desirable.
- Ability to work independently and within a team to meet deadlines required.
- Ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment required.
- Ability to travel as needed to activity sites to work directly with grantees and other program partners.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure in a stressful environment and with colleagues from different backgrounds required.
- Strong organizational, communication, problem-solving, service-oriented, detail-oriented, and interpersonal skills required.
- Fluency in written and verbal Arabic and proficiency in written and verbal English required.
MSI is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We strive to develop and maintain a culture that honors the perspectives and identities of our employees, our communities and those impacted by our work.
We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, we make reasonable accommodations for applicants’ and employees’ religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.
MSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities/Veterans Employer.
Reasonable Accommodations:
MSI is dedicated to hiring an inclusive workforce. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations during the application process, please visit Tetra Tech’s Disability Assistance Page. Our recruitment team looks forward to engaging in an interactive process to provide reasonable accommodations for candidates.
Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.