Senior Director, Grants & Contracts - Global Communities

Global Communities works at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and financial inclusion to save lives, advance equity and secure strong futures. We support communities at the forefront of their own development in more than 35 countries, partnering with local leaders, governments, civil society and the private sector to achieve a shared vision of a more just, prosperous and equitable global community. 

The Sr. Director of Grants and Contracts provides strategic leadership, direction and guidance to the Office of Grants and Contracts (OGC) andplays a crucial role in ensuring that the organization effectively manages and utilizes federal and private funds and complies with all regulations, contributing to the successful implementation of projects. Fosters an internal client-centric culture within the OGC team that proactively supports, equips, empowers and  advises home office and country staff on grants and contracts, procurement and management. Takes a risk management approach that balances internal compliance requirements with program delivery needs.Global Communities has grown in the last few years in terms of its size and complexity. It has also laid out its 2030 strategy with clear goals. The role of the Sr. Director of Grants and Contracts is critical in working as a business partner with other departments and helping achieve these goals by aligning the grants, contracts and procurement function with the organization's long-term goals.

• |Approves and signs consultant agreements and modifications within limits of authority.

• Manages and implements donor-funded grant and contract compliance processes.
  • Develops systems for tracking compliance.
  • Notifies leadership of non-compliance and recommends corrective action.
  • Ensures that grant and contract formats adhere to organizational and donor standards.
  • Consistently monitors USG regulations for updates and improvements and incorporates into relevant organizational policies, procedures, and guidelines.
  • Contributes to the development and revision of organization-wide policies related to grants and contracts and supports Global Communities’ organizational decentralization initiative as part of our larger commitment to locally led development.
• Leads and directs OGC staff and operations.
  • Plans, organizes, distributes, and coordinates the flow of work within the OGC team.
  • Oversees supervision, training, guidance, advice and mentoring of OGC staff.
  • Ensures that Global Programs and country staff are trained, equipped, and empowered to effectively manage grants and contracts across the organization.
  • Establishes work plans and annual performance goals for each OGC team member, ensuring timely and quality execution of group deliverables.
  • Makes recommendations concerning employment, performance, and other personnel actions.
  • Through protocols, guidelines, and training, ensures that staff understand and adhere to Global Communities’ Standards of Conduct, the Field Finance and Accounting Manual (FFAM), the GST (GST) Finance Manual, and other corporate and applicable policies, procedures, and schedules.
  • Recommends, monitors, approves, and implements OGC policies, procedures, and schedules within limits of authority.
• Oversees procurement of G&A-funded goods and services, including supervision of support staff, conducting market research, developing solicitation documents, evaluating quotations and bids, preparing vendor agreements, and negotiating with bidders.
• Oversees procurement of consultant services. Develops policy and procedures and provides guidance to staff on consultant hiring.
• Prepares the OGC budget and monitors operations throughout the year to ensure adherence to budgetary controls.
• Ensures the legal and contractual integrity of all agreements entered by GST (GST). Leads the GST (GST)-based negotiation of terms and conditions of agreements, contracts, and grants.
• Reviews and approves proposal budgets, budget narratives, and budget modifications that meet organizational standards. Approves budgets and budget modifications that meet organizational standards.
• Actively supports, equips and empowers GST and Country Team staff by answering questions, problem-solving, co-creating and in general, providing client-centered support, with a goal to increase efficiency, effectiveness and agility.
• Develops or oversees the development of grantmaking, contracting, procurement and budget tools, SOPs, job aids, guidelines and training modules for Global Communities staff, and conducts and/or oversees such training. Sets up an OGC intake process for training and technical support requests and questions from Program Operations staff.
• Builds the capacity of the organization at all levels to effectively manage grants and contracts. As appropriate, work with all Global Communities departments to make necessary revisions to Field Finance and Accounting Manual (FFAM), the HQ Finance Manual, and other corporate and applicable policies, procedures, and schedules to support Global Communities’ Strategic Vision 2030, our commitment to locally led development and the decentralization needed to ensure its application.
• Undertakes other duties and projects as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Current knowledge of applicable federal government circulars and the meaning of standard contract and procurement clauses. Proven ability to prepare and negotiate contracts within budget limits and implementation schedules in an accurate and timely fashion.
• Demonstrated expertise with and knowledge of federal cost principles, administrative requirements, and other applicable rules and regulations regarding implementation of federal awards.
• Demonstrated knowledge of humanitarian emergency response procurement policies, practices, and procedures
• Excellent listening and critical thinking skills and sound judgment. Proven willingness to make timely and sound decisions based on accurate judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and lead the work of others in an atmosphere of multiple projects, shifting priorities, and deadline pressures.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change and manage interpersonal relationships to problem-solve and arrive at effective solutions to complex organizational challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team and model inclusive leadership principles.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to effectively communicate project work plan to a variety of different audiences.
• Embodies a work philosophy that gives autonomy and enables mastery of grants and contracts procurement and management to Program Operations staff at the HQ and country levels as part of our commitment to locally led development.
• Seeks to build technical capacity of staff and delegate authority with the goal of minimizing operational delays and improving program delivery.
• Fluency in English, written and oral. Abilities in a second language, particularly fluency in Arabic, Spanish or French preferred
• Demonstrated ability to use office productivity software currently in use.
• Ability to work an irregular schedule on occasion with the ability to travel frequently and on short notice.
• Demonstrated ability to use Oracle NetSuite.
• Accuracy, attention to detail.

POSITION SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 25% travel to areas with diverse cultures, unstable social economic environments, and difficult physical conditions that require physical endurance and mobility by foot. Employee must be able to travel independently.
• Promote a culture of excellence, inclusion, learning, support, diversity, and innovation!

• Undergraduate degree in a related discipline and a minimum of 11 years of related work experience or a minimum of 15 years of related work experience.
• Essential functions include travel to areas with diverse cultures, unstable social economic environments, and difficult physical conditions that require physical endurance and mobility by foot. Employee must be able to travel independently.
• A minimum of 10 years contracts management and procurement experience Successful experience in government contracts administration preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience working in an INGO or similar/relevant organization
• Demonstrated experience using contracting systems and mechanisms for tracking compliance with multiple agreements preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM) Certification is highly preferred.
• Must have U.S. work authorization.