Senior Award Specialist - Washington, United States - Solidarity Center

Description

Job Description

Location: Washington, DC*

Application Deadline: When filled

*Please Note: Solidarity Center staff enjoy a hybrid telework/in-person schedule. All candidates applying for this role will be expected to work in the Washington, D.C. office a minimum of three days per week unless an ADA or health-related exemption is approved.

Summary: The Senior Award Specialist is a member of the Solidarity Center's Program Quality, Learning, and Compliance (PQLC) department, which provides cradle-to-grave management of awards and support to programs through its three functional areas of expertise: proposal development; award management and compliance; and monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL). The Senior Award Specialist is responsible for providing subject matter expertise in award management and compliance for a portfolio of awards and support to assigned regional teams.

Key Responsibilities:

Donor Relations:

• In coordination with PQLC management, serves as SC's lead focal point on award management and compliance with donor representatives for assigned multi-million dollar portfolio of awards
• Maintains good working relationships with counterparts at donors and represents SC in meetings

Award Administration:

• Collaborates and interacts regularly with program teams for assigned award portfolio to ensure compliance with award terms and conditions, and coordinates with PQLC staff (i.e., senior financial analysts and MEL specialists) on award administration issues
• Provides analytical problem-solving support and guidance to program staff on daily project troubleshooting, including notification/update, prior approval, procurement, reprogramming/project revision or extension requirements, and on donor regulations and award-specific requirements
• Reviews award agreements and modifications for award portfolio, facilitates internal review process, collects feedback, prepares and submits negotiation communications, and works with program staff to develop systems/procedures to ensure compliance with special terms and conditions of agreements
• Writes/reviews/edits and submits award-related communications to donors, including information requests, notifications/updates and prior approval requests
• Tracks, reviews and edits project deliverables, including project design documents, work plans, logic models, and MEL plans and reports, for clarity, grammar, compliance and professionalism, and ensures their timely submittal
• Oversees the global administration projects, writing proposals/reports and monitoring expenditures in coordination with Sr. Financial Analysts
• Coordinates the annual planning processes for assigned portfolio, and edits/reviews documents for clarity, grammar and formatting to ensure polished and professional final products
• Oversees and coordinates the review and submission process for project proposals under global awards, tracking submissions against established planning documents and internal allocations and providing management with regular updates, and attends relevant meetings with donors
• Reviews and edits proposals and reports for assigned portfolio for clarity, grammar, compliance and professionalism; drafts global-level narrative reports based on review of individual project reports
• Analyzes changes to applicable donor regulations and requirements to determine the impact on SC's award management, and makes recommendations to PQLC management for changes to policies and procedures for efficiencies
• Identifies opportunities to streamline processes and workflows related to award administration and makes recommendations to PQLC management
• Coordinates with PQLC management in reviewing allegations of potential irregularities

Resources and Training:

• Identifies staff learning needs, develops resources related to award management and conducts training for staff on regulations, procedures and requirements to build organizational staff capacity

General:

• Ensures PQLC files are up to date for assigned portfolio of awards
• Keeps abreast of best practices and new regulatory requirements regarding award management (e.g., through Federal Register announcements, industry newsletters, Humentum meetings or conferences)
• Backstops other PQLC staff, as needed
• Participates in and contributes to regular PQLC meetings
• Other duties as assigned or specific to the portfolio

Requirements:

• Master's degree in International Affairs, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration or a related field or an additional two years of professional experience
• Minimum of 10 years of award management and compliance experience with international organizations, with at least 5 years of experience negotiating/administering multi-million-dollar and/or multi-regional awards from Federal agencies, preferably the National Endowment for Democracy, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of State or the Department of Labor
• Strong technical expertise in federal award management, with demonstrated ability to interpret and apply 2 CFR 200 to complex situations, specifically the cost principles (e.g., allowability and allocability), procurement standards, revision of budget and program plans, including prior approvals, conflict of interest, property standards and remedies for non-compliance
• Proven track record of navigating donor-specific requirements
• Develop and/or promote systems that comply with Federal regulations and U.S. laws, such as the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act and Executive Orders 12549 and 13224, and standards on anti-trafficking
• Demonstrated experience providing support, training, and guidance on the specifics of federal award management
• Knowledge of and/or experience with MEL concepts and practices such as theories of change, adaptive management, and results-based design
• Fluency in English (written and verbal)
• Exceptionally strong grammar and written communication skills, including experience editing or writing proposals, reports or other technical documents
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize and work on multiple tasks under tight deadlines with competing priorities and with staff in different time zones
• Familiarity and comfort working remotely and collaborating via online platforms
• Ability to perform detailed work with a high level of accuracy
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact and collaborate with host country-based, HQ and donor staff
• Excellent judgment, problem-solving, critical thinking, and analysis skills

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with programs related to worker and human rights, civil society strengthening, equality and inclusion, labor migration, and human trafficking, safety and health, trade union strengthening, and/or informal economy
• Familiarity with global awards and processes (e.g. NED, USAID LWAs)
• Ability to work both as a collaborative team member as well as independently

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

This is a collective bargaining unit position, generously compensated with a gross annual salary starting at approximately $103,909 USD based on experience. A robust benefits package includes fully paid health insurance, a retirement plan and pension, life insurance, and ample paid time off for holidays, vacation, and medical leave. Pre-tax deduction programs are also available for commuting, dependent care, and health care expenses. In addition, we offer opportunities and funds for professional development.

About Us:

The Solidarity Center cultivates the values of diversity, equality, and inclusion among its staff and partners. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable law. Candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. If you are a candidate with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to apply for this position, please contact us at

For Candidates Applying from the AFL-CIO: Solidarity Center works in partnership with the AFL-CIO on recruiting and filling positions. Our policy is to notify the AFL-CIO prior to interviewing any of its current employees.