Grants Management Consultant

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

1. Work experience with international development organization(s);specific experience with project grant management strongly preferred.
2. Experience delivering and facilitating grant trainings.
3. Experience drafting grants work instructions, procedures, and templates.
4. Proven ability to lead teams, organize tasks, and communicate effectively.
5. Familiarity with USAID grants rules and regulations.
6. Ability to be flexible per changing demands and priorities.
7. Ability to travel on short notice for up to 6 weeks.
8. Fluency in oral and written communication skills inEnglish required; advanced working proficiency in French, Spanish, and/or Arabic is a plus.

PI235427426

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