Counterpart International helps people build better lives and more durable futures, community by community. We equip individuals, organizations and communities-our counterparts- to become solution creators in their own families, communities, regions and countries. We work with them in some of the world’s most challenging places to tackle social, economic, environmental, health and governance issues that threaten their lives and undermine their futures. For more information on Counterpart, please visit our website at www.Counterpart.org
SUMMARY:
Counterpart International is currently seeking a Senior Agreement Manager for its Grants, Contracts and Compliance (GCC) team to cover its Afghanistan and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) portfolios. The GCC team provides cradle-to-grave award management and oversight of Counterpart’s portfolio of grants, cooperative agreements, contracts and subawards in order to mitigate risk and to ensure compliance with donors’ regulations and the organization’s policies. GCC plays a lead and/or support role throughout the award cycle, inclusive of opportunity analysis, proposal development, award negotiation, award administration, close out and the audit process.
The Senior Agreement Manager will analyze, interpret and apply donor regulations, award terms and conditions, and Counterpart policies in the day-to-day management of programs, serving as the lead advisor on compliance to HQ and field-based staff. He/she will: manage a portfolio of awards for Afghanistan and the Middle East and North Africa region, primarily from U.S. Government agencies; review proposal and budget packages prior to submission; negotiate terms and conditions of awards and modifications; review consultant agreements and manage process; review and provide guidance on subawards and grant manuals; review procurements for assigned portfolio; provide ongoing guidance to HQ and field staff on donor regulations, internal procedures and overall daily troubleshooting; conduct training as needed; and work collaboratively within and across teams.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Primary Responsibilities: Award Management
• Serve as GCC liaison with assigned program teams (Afghanistan and MENA) to provide guidance to HQ and field staff on award management and compliance with donor regulations
• Review proposal and cost applications for compliance with donor requirements and Counterpart policies
• Review, compile institutional comments and serve as lead negotiator with donors on awards and modifications for assigned portfolio
• Review/prepare correspondence to donors on agreement-related issues
• Review subawards and manuals prior to issuance for compliance with donor regulations and Counterpart policies, and provide subaward management guidance as needed throughout life of program
• Conduct compliance review of procurements, including consulting agreements, for assigned portfolio
• Participate in award start-up and close-out planning, and audit processes, providing guidance on and interpretation of applicable contractual and regulatory requirements
• Coordinate and interact regularly with teams (program, finance, new business development, HR, IT and security)
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with agreement staff of donor agencies
• Maintain agreement-related files and database records for awards in assigned portfolio
General Responsibilities:
• Review documents on behalf of executive leadership from a compliance and risk management perspective as well as brief leadership on compliance issues in a timely manner
• Minimize risk to organization by proactively identifying potential problems and possible solutions
• Contribute to the development and/or revision of policies and resource materials, including manuals, guides, templates and other tools, to assist program staff with award management and compliance with donor regulations and Counterpart policies
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of award management and record repository systems, as well as others to facilitate improved award administration
• Coordinate with GCC team members to ensure consistent organizational interpretation and guidance on donor regulations
• Develop and/or conduct training on donor regulations and requirements, particularly for USAID contracts, as well as on Counterpart policies
• Participate in weekly GCC team meetings and in meetings for assigned portfolio
• Assist and/or backstop other GCC team members, as needed
• Represent Counterpart in meetings with donors, subrecipients, INGO industry partners, and other stakeholders, as needed
• Share donor, regional or subject matter expertise and contribute to broader knowledge base of GCC team
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Director of GCC
Requirements QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree required; PMP or Master’s degree in relevant field strongly preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant and progressive experience, preferably managing awards for programs in Afghanistan or MENA, at an international development organization or working for a donor agency in an award management capacity
• Experience managing both contracts and cooperative agreements/grants from USAID and/or DOS required; experience with other U.S. Government agencies as well as bilateral or multilateral donors, such as DFID, SIDA, UN Agencies, preferred
• Experience developing and delivering participatory training on regulations and policies preferred
Skills and Abilities
• Working knowledge of U.S. Government regulations (2 CFR 200/600/700), FAR/AIDAR, 7 CFR 1499, 29 CFR 95) and their respective processes and procedures (USAID, in particular)
• Working knowledge of regulations of non-USG donors (e.g., DFID, SIDA, UN Agencies) preferred
• Fluency in English required; advanced competency in other languages preferred
• Familiarity with civil society strengthening and governance programs preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Meticulous attention to detail, as well as outstanding critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Demonstrated ability to generate solutions, handle multiple tasks simultaneously and remain calm under pressure
• Knowledge of and ability to adopt industry best practices to enhance organizational checks and balances in order to mitigate risk
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate and communicate with colleagues and external parties in a professional and succinct manner
• Proven ability to prioritize and to initiate follow-through
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with grants management databases and record repository systems preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work in multi-cultural and multi-lingual settings; overseas experience preferred
• Ability to travel overseas (up to 10%) to provide short-term technical assistance or training, as needed
Please apply online at www.Counterpart.org. No calls or emails please.
Counterpart International is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of Counterpart International to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
- Counterpart International is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of Counterpart International to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
- Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.
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