Overview
Creative Associates seeks a Grants and Procurement Manager for an upcoming project in Nicaragua. The Grants and Procurement Manager will be responsible for the effective and efficient management of the Nicaragua grants program by providing administrative and technical guidance to the Chief of Party (COP) on the design, solicitation, preparation, implementation and closeout of grant activities according Creative's policies. S/he will also be responsible for managing overall procurement processes, tracking procurement of goods and services through the procurement cycle, ensuring that adequate competition is achieved for procurements, and providing regular procurement mentoring to project staff to support project implementation. S/he will provide timely staff services and efficient office operations in the areas of voice communications, mail, inventory management, supplies and equipment maintenance.
Reporting and Supervision:
The Grants and Procurement Manager will report to the COP and will supervise a Grants and Procurement Specialist.
Responsibilities
Grants:
- Lead the development and implementation of procedures and templates to be used for formulating, negotiating, executing, monitoring, and closing grants according to USAID regulations and the project's Grants Manual;
- Develop notice of funding opportunities, facilitate the evaluation of applications, award grants, monitor and report on financial activities as appropriate;
- Monitor grantees to ensure compliance with USAID regulations;
- Responsible for maintaining grant files and ensuring that they are always up to date through the SMART grants management system;
- Coordinate and support project audits, grantor's audit, or monitoring visits;
- Conduct educational and training workshops on writing program descriptions, application preparation, evaluating applications, and/or financial monitoring, as necessary;
- Provide advisory assistance to technical team members in order to ensure the development of sound program statements that will achieve Nicaraguan Program Objectives;
- Evaluate grant submissions for budget soundness and compliance with donor regulations, and recommend award actions to the Chief of Party;
- Coordinate the issuance of awards and maintaining documentation through the development and upkeep of Creative's grant management system, SMART;
- Support follow up engagement with grantees to assure an understanding of technical, financial and administrative reporting requirements, including monitoring and evaluation requirements, by grantees, post-award;
- Support review of technical, financial and administrative submissions from grantees post-award to ensure these meet requirements per the grant award;
- Responsible for entering and maintaining the Creative's grants management system, SMART, as well as assisting project staff, grantees, and donors on its use;
- Coordinate with technical, and financial teams the appropriate closeout documentation for each award; and
- Prepare scheduled and special reports, studies and analyses regarding the grants under contract program to the Chief of Party, Project Director, and USAID.
Procurement:
- Establish, lead, and implement procurement processes and logistics to support activity implementation for the project, strictly following all rules and regulations including:
- ADS (Automated Directive System)
- FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations)
- CFR (U.S. Code of Federal Regulations)
- AAPD (Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directive)
- Local Nicaraguan Law
- Train and mentor staff per their needs in procurement policies and process;
- Prepare the project Procurement Plan on yearly basis to maximize efficiency and coordination in the procurement of goods and services;
- Conduct market research for each type of procurement and maintain a data base of vendors and items commonly needed by the project;
- Determine the most reasonable and expeditious process for procurement in compliance with Creative policies and procedures and USAID regulations;
- Prepare and issue solicitation documents based on approved requisition received;
- Responsible to provide clarifications to all vendors when is required;
- Prepare and issue solicitation modification when applicable;
- Responsible for ensuring confidentiality throughout procurement and vendor selection process;
- Facilitate the evaluation process for each solicitation according Creative's procurement policy;
- Ensure proper documentation of the selection of vendors using the Creative's official templates;
- Prepare and issue Purchase Orders or Sub-Contracts as were selected by members of the technical committee;
- Verify quality and quantity of products according to the context and/or needs of the beneficiary, community, and/or Project ensuring proper documentation of the delivery;
- Process payment for vendors verifying invoices are consistent with Purchases Orders and Invoices;
- Ensure procurement files comply with Creative's policies and procedures; and
Prepare procurement reports on monthly basis.**Qualifications**
Bachelor's degree in management, financial analysis or accounting desirable;
At least five (5) years of experience with sub-grants and procurement management, preferably in Nicaragua; minimum of three (3) years of work experience in international development;
Strong understanding of USAID regulations and procedures pertaining to grants and procurement management, and ability to interpret and explain USAID regulations;
Strong understanding of 2 CFR 200, ADS 302 and 303;
Strong ability to use and develop management and tracking systems;
Demonstrated ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects;
Ability to analyze cost proposals and prepare reports and recommendations on grantee selection;
Ability to analyze budget line items for compliance with budget guidelines;
Proven records maintenance and database management skills;
Understanding of cost-share and/or leveraging preferred;
Effective manager with strong interpersonal skills;
Strong communications skills; and
Fluency in Spanish is required, Fluency in English is desired.
Local and regional candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
PI122911560