Overview
Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, governance, and post-crisis stabilization. Based in Chevy Chase, MD (metro DC area) 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.
The Grants Management Surge Support Consultant will provide remote and in-country support for Creative. The Consultant will work with Creative HQ Grants Department and Creative projects in need of support during start-up, implementation and close-out.
Responsibilities
Start Up Tasks
- Support recruitment and onboarding efforts for grants staff (review CVs, shortlist candidates, participate in interviews, conduct trainings)
- Support the development of project grant manuals (develop drafts based on Creative templates, provide comments and observations, address comments)
- Support the development of a grant operationalization strategy based on project workplans.
- Launch initial grant activities and guide project teams through the process (market research, developing NOFOs, reviewing applications, conducting evaluations, negotiations, due diligence) from Pre-award to award.
- Provide support for market research efforts.
- Ensure project staff are prepared for grant kick-off meetings.
Implementation Tasks
- Provide surge support as needed to projects including serving as Acting Project Grant Manager.
- Support the update of operational Plan ensuring it’s aligned with Project’s workplan, including review (update) tracking system
- Conduct file checks during project implementation
- Review grant packages for internal Creative approvals
- Conduct ad-hoc trainings
- Analyze project activity cycles and provide recommendations.
Close Out Tasks
- Conduct document reviews ensuring all minimum required documentation per Creative manuals and policies are in grant files.
- Identify risks to Creative and propose solutions.
- Review financial documentation of grants to ensure costs billed are in line with donor cost principles.
- Support the reconciliation and deobligation of grant funds.
- Review grants data in various systems (SMART, SharePoint, and donor databases) to ensure documents and data are consistent across platforms.
- Identify any gaps in documentation and support the development of notes to file.
- Support the coordination and planning of grant close out targets with HQ Grants and project leadership.
- Coordinate closely with other support departments (at HQ and in projects) to coordinate the
General Department support
- Support HQ Grants’ oversight in the compliant use of SMART (Creative’s grant management platform), in
- Support Creative’s HQ Grant Department initiatives such as: updating templates, work instructions, and tools.
- Support Creative’s HQ Grant Department training initiatives.
Other similar tasks to be mutually agreed between Creative and the Consultant.
Results and/or Deliverables:
Consultant may be responsible for:
- Attending weekly start-up/close out/coordination calls and providing
- Providing regular updates to the HQ Grants POC and project leadership.
- Setting up the project SharePoint filing system and developing the document management plan.
- Training new staff on USG rules and regulations and Creative’s grant policies.
- Contribute to regular HQ Grants Department
- Submitting a detailed handover report with outstanding action items, challenges faced, and recommendations.
Qualifications
- Work experience with international development organization(s);specific experience with project grant management strongly preferred.
- Experience delivering and facilitating grant trainings.
- Experience drafting grants work instructions, procedures, and templates.
- Proven ability to lead teams, organize tasks, and communicate effectively.
- Familiarity with USAID grants rules and regulations.
- Ability to be flexible per changing demands and priorities.
- Ability to travel on short notice for up to 6 weeks.
- Fluency in oral and written communication skills inEnglish required; advanced working proficiency in French, Spanish, and/or Arabic is a plus.
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