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Position Title: Grants & Contracts Manager, USAID Advancing Digital Democracy (ADD)
Proposal Summary:
Vistant is pursuing the USAID Advancing Digital Democracy program. The purpose of this activity is to foster open, secure, and inclusive digital democracies in which data-driven technologies advance, rather than undermine, democratic values and respect for human rights. It will support and strengthen country-level and global multi-stakeholder coalitions that can identify opportunities for productive engagement, leverage incentive structures, and create shared language for tackling the most pressing issues in the digital age.
The program will provide support for partner-country stakeholders to spur rights-respecting digital innovation while addressing potential adverse impacts of technology and data across the digital ecosystem. The program will operate in politically closed spaces and robust emerging economies; and will engage civic and private actors while tailoring support to leverage existing opportunities and address specific needs in particular countries.
Program Objectives:
Objective 1: Governments implement legal and regulatory frameworks related to technology, data, and information that align with and fulfill their international human rights and democratic commitments.
Objective 2: Respect for human rights and democratic values are embedded in the development and design of digital technology and data management.
Objective 3: Civil society and citizens more effectively engage in democracy and human rights issues involving technology.
Cross-Cutting Objectives: (1) Engagement between diverse stakeholders and sectors is fostered and self-sustained. (2) Collaborative CLA feedback loops are created and used to adapt the program.
Position Summary:
The Grants & Contracts Manager will be responsible for day-to-day oversight and administration of the Digital Foundations grant pool under the Advancing Digital Democracy (ADD) program. The Grants & Contracts Manager will lead strategizing, learning, and process improvement for grant and contract design, competition, and award management. This role ensures compliance with USAID standards, policies, and procedures, and effective use of the grants management system. The Grants & Contracts Manager reports directly to the Chief of Party (COP). The position will largely be U.S.-based although some travel may be required. The position is contingent upon award.
Responsibilities:
• Coordinate the grants and subcontracts program processes and serve as a primary contact for grantees and subcontractors.
• Disseminate grants and subcontracts program announcements and collect applications and proposals.
• Organize, coordinate, and participate in the administrative and technical evaluation process of applications for grants and subcontracts.
• Review and negotiate with grant and subcontract applicants on proposed budgets on behalf of ADD.
• Assist grant and subcontract candidates in finalizing scopes of work and work plans in coordination with the COP.
• Review and ensure compliance of all documents included in the application for a grant or subcontract.
• Properly document all procedures and communication with grantees and subcontractors.
• Monitor the implementation of the grant projects and develop and regularly revise monitoring schedules.
• Collect and review reports and deliverables submitted by grant and subcontract recipients.
• Document results of grants and subcontracts performance monitoring and evaluation.
• Report regularly to the COP on the implementation of the grants program.
• Conduct training for grant and subcontract applicants and recipients on proposal writing and management of grants and subcontracts.
• Collect, review, and report on cost-share contributions submitted by grant recipients.
• Provide the project with information about results and success stories collected through regular communication with grant recipients and reports and deliverables submitted by contractors or grant recipients.
• File and ensure the presence of all grant and subcontract documents, including applications for grants, evaluation documents, certificates, grant agreements and any amendments, technical reports, deliverables, financial and cost-share reports.
• Contribute to periodic and special reports.
• Manage the collection of data for performance reporting related to the grants and subcontracts program and generate appropriate databases.
• Prepare quarterly, annual, and final reports regarding the grants and subcontracts program, including analyses of measurable accomplishments against activities conducted and program objectives.
• Provide continuous technical assistance to all grantees and subcontractors in implementing their performance reporting.
• Carry out and/or participate in other activities as requested or assigned by the COP.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree.
• At least five (5) years of experience managing development activities, including contracts and buy-ins.
• Experience creating and managing sub-awards and grants.
• Experience working with USAID-funded contracts and grants, and mastery of USAID regulations and compliance requirements for contracts and grants.
• At least two (2) years of experience working with non-governmental organizations managing grants implemented in developing countries.
• Proven experience in customer service, client relations, and relationship management.