Position Title: Award Management Officer II, USG Donor Engagement – Food Security
Department/Country: Institutional Donor Engagement & Advancement Department
Band: D
Location: Baltimore, MD
FLSA: Exempt
Reports to: Director I, USG Donor Engagement – Food Security
About CRS:
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
Job Background
CRS’ IDEA department advances the agency’s strategic position by managing and stewarding institutional donor relationships and resources, supporting the growth of CRS’ business and influence, and building the capacity of staff across the spectrum of resource acquisition and management. This position will cover a donor portfolio consisting of awards from the United States Agency for International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, Office of Food for Peace, and Bureau for Food Security. Responsibilities include the support and coordination of institutional relationships, pursuit of funding opportunities, and administration of awards from all relevant offices. The Award Management Officer will take on a range of public award-related activities, including: administration of a portfolio of awards, support to country program offices in business development positioning, proposal development, project implementation and management; successful submission and defense of public award proposals; sharing information within the department and with other relevant staff. As requested, the Award Management Officer will be asked to participate in the development of specific proposals. This may include conducting assessments, partner negotiations, proposal review, cost application preparation, and ensuring compliance with solicitation requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Award Management
- Build and maintain relationships with current donors, particularly using lessons and successes from implementation
- Understand and interpret donor regulations, guidance and work preferences to facilitate program award acquisition and management; communicate donor considerations and requirements to country programs and help country programs strategize on best approaches to take with each donor
· Represent and advocate on behalf of country programs to donors, ensuring strong working relationships with public donor officials; ensure that higher level issues are raised to the Unit Director for follow up
Identify trouble spots in implementation, assess implications for both the country program and donor, and strategize possible solutions
Review, revise, submit, defend, and negotiate proposals for public resources on behalf of assigned countries; handle award amendments, revisions, waiver requests, award closeouts and disposition of equipment, etc.
Review and analyze financial reports periodically to support proper country management of donor and CRS cost share of award funding
Ensure that all award files are maintained up to date, complete, and easily accessible according to CRS policy and procedures
Contribute to the development of systems that facilitate improved award administration in HQ and by the country programs
Share lessons and key learning from donor interactions, program visits, meetings, etc.
Support country programs through TDYs as needed (e.g. evaluations, strategic planning, proposal development, etc.)
Business Development
- Support country programs in the development of non-technical pricing for proposals and ensure consistent application of CRS pricing and budgeting requirements across proposal efforts
- As requested, lead budget reviews to ensure proposals are realistic, competitively priced, feasible to implement and consistent with CRS policies and donor rules and regulations
- Provide guidance and leadership for strategic positioning and proposal planning based on in-depth familiarity with donor preferences
- Coordinate processes and mentor staff to ensure timely submission of high quality proposals that are responsive to donor requirements, applicable regulations, and CRS’ standards
- Support and guide the identification of partners and negotiation of CRS’ role on proposal consortia, ensuring a competitive position for CRS that adheres to the agency’s partnership principles and strategic directions
- Lead and contribute to agency learning, through analysis of proposal successes and failures, analysis of CRS competitiveness and the funding environment, and active participation in CRS’ global BD community of practice
Key Working Relationships: External: Multi-level contacts within targeted USG entities, relevant peer organizations and industry networks. Internal: HQ-based and field-based Overseas Operations staff; US Operations; and Overseas Finance.
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
· Serves with Integrity
· Models Stewardship
· Cultivates Constructive Relationships
· Promotes Learning
Professional Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Business, International Affairs or Development, or equivalent degree.
At least 6 years of relevant experience, including at least 3 years of new business development, award management, and international relief and development practice. Overseas work experience strongly preferred.
Knowledge of USG’s Farm Bill and Food Aid legislation as well as relevant USG regulations
Deep understanding of the funding mechanisms, cycles, priorities and regulations of the donor agencies within this position’s portfolio, and existing strong contacts within those agencies.
Significant direct experience developing proposals for funding to, and administering grants or contracts from, institutional donor agencies.
Experience in negotiation and representation at high levels.
Experience creating or advancing shared value with private sector actors, preferably within the international humanitarian and development spaces.
Familiarity with complex food security programming in development and emergency contexts.
Demonstrated experience working in a team and independently to produce high quality results under time pressure
Patience, flexibility, and a sense of humor are critical.
Understanding of Catholic Church and CRS’ mission and program approach highly desirable.
Ability to travel domestically and overseas: estimated 25%.
French and/or Spanish highly desired.
This job description is not exhaustive, and other tasks may be added as appropriate.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
NOTE: All interested applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application. **
Equal Opportunity Employer**
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