Grants Specialist,
USAID/Armenia Support Initiative,
Yerevan, Armenia
Company Profile:
MSI, a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, DC metro area international development firm with a 35-year history of delivering development results across the world. Our core expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation (M&E), institutional development, public sector management, governance and anti-corruption. MSI implements nearly 100 projects in 90 countries around the world such as Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Colombia, and Mexico. As one of the leading companies in our field, MSI has partnered with more than 80 organizations across all sectors of international development with clients ranging from large bilateral and multilateral donors such as USAID, the World Bank and the UNDP to national and local governments, NGOs, think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information on MSI, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.
Project Summary:
The Armenia Support Initiative seeks to support the Armenian government's technical and operational capacities to define and deliver on its democratic reform agenda; sustain public support for and engagement in the reform process; and, provide punctual, strategic technical assistance across all levels of government.
**Please note: Only Armenian citizens are eligible for this position.
Position Summary:
The Grants Specialist will be based in Yerevan and is part of the Grants team on the USAID/Armenia Program. This position is 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 Grants Specialist maintains regular communication with the grantees and conducts site visits, ensuring that all deliverables are met. The Grants Specialist will work closely with the Program Team for monitoring and ensuring compliance with the grant implementation plan. This position reports to the Grants Manager but works closely with and coordinates with the Program Team.
Responsibilities:
Create and edit budgets for grant agreements in coordination of the Program Development Officer and Field Officers (PDO and FO)
Liaise with communities and/or counterparts within government entities in assigned geographic area to assist the PDO with the development of activities and guide the implementation of projects
Develop and maintain transparent, friendly, open, and professional relationships with local counterparts, beneficiaries, and other international organizations, as well as local and national authorities
Provide weekly updates on grant implementation to the rest of the program team, utilizing the activity database, meetings and other tools
Review and adjust grant budgets in consultation with the procurement team
Ensure proper negotiation of the terms and conditions for Grants Under Contract (both cash and in-kind)
Review and analyse budget estimates (for cash or in-kind grants) for allocability, reasonableness and consistency
Ensure the proper preparation and execution of grant documents and grant disbursements consistent and compliant with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and MSI requirements, procedures and best practices
Track any changes in the financial needs of an activity and modify budgets as necessary using the activity database
Complete excluded party verifications and Negotiation Memos
Maintain accurate and timely program and grant documentation in electronic, hard copy and back-up copies
Ensure that completed grants are closed in a timely manner according to deadlines
Support the M&E Specialist with data collection, as needed, and with contributions to the final evaluation reports
Review all grantee deliverables, with the support of the PDO, for the final approval by the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) and Deputy Chief Operating Officer (DCOO) for grant close out
Have constant and close communication with the Program Team in anticipation of contingencies
In coordination with the supervisor ensure that Grants has been managed in response to the Program needs
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in finance, public administration, or a related field required
Minimum of three years of experience in grants or procurement roles on development projects
Specific experience with USAID projects is highly preferred
Proven ability to maintain professional relationships with local counterparts, beneficiaries, contractors, suppliers, other international organizations, as well as local and national authorities
Excellent organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Flexibility and ability to adapt easily to change
Experience working in remote and complex areas
Armenian fluency is required, and English proficiency is strongly preferred
Reasonable Accommodations: MSI is dedicated to hiring an inclusive workforce. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations during the application process, please email MSI.Dept.HRRecruiting@tetratechinc.onmicrosoft.com with Reasonable Accommodations in the title. 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.
MSI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer.
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