JOB DESCRIPTION
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The Grants Specialist will be based in Yerevan with extensive travel (75%) to regions of Armenia. He/ she is a key member 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. He/ she will maintain regular communication with the grantees and conducts site visits, ensuring that all deliverables are met. The position will work closely with the Program Team for monitoring and ensuring compliance with the grant implementation plan. The position reports to Grants Manager but works closely and coordinates with the Program Team.
RESPONSIBILITIES
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- 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;
- Create and edit budgets for grant agreements in coordination of the Program Development Officer and Field Officers (PDO and FO);
- 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) and 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, and 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 DCOP-O 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.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
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- 3 years of experience in grants or procurement roles on development projects; specific experience with USAID projects is highly desirable;
- Proven ability to maintain professional relationships with local counterparts, beneficiaries, contractors, suppliers, other international organizations, as well as local and national authorities;
- Task and detail-oriented, with the ability to work independently and within a team to meet deadlines.;
- Excellent organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment;
- Flexibility and ability to adapt easily to change;
- Excellent communication skills are required as well as a) proactive problem-solving skills independently and with teams, b) a strong service orientation, and c) assertive communication and emotional intelligence;
- Ability to work effectively and collegially under pressure in a stressful environment and with colleagues from different backgrounds;
- Willingness to travel extensively on multi-week travel to regions of Armenia;
- Fluency in English and Armenian languages.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
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Applications for this position are accepted online. To apply please follow the link:
https://tinyurl.com/MSI-Grants-Specialist . Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. Refrain from phone calls, please.
Please clearly mention in your application letter that you learned of this job opportunity through Career Center and mention the URL of its website - www.careercenter.am, Thanks.
OPEN TO/ ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
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Only Armenian citizens are eligible for this position
ADDITIONAL NOTES
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MSI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer
ABOUT
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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.