WSP is currently initiating a search for Grants Manager candidates for the upcoming USAID/Georgia Industry-led Skills Development Program in Georgia. The Program will provide support to Georgia to develop industry-relevant human capacity that will contribute to high-value employment opportunities and increased economic competitiveness in Georgia through 1) Strengthening private sector engagement in skills development; 2) Establishing long and short-term high-quality training programs; and 3) Replicating proven training programs in areas outside of Tbilisi/rural areas. The COP will be based in Tbilisi, Georgia with frequent in-country trips.
Duties and Responsibilities:
· Manage the development, implementation, evaluation and close-out of the grants program;
· Arrange, together with technical departments, the technical assistance and training for potential grant applicants that may become eligible partners in Program implementation;
· Hire, train, and manage national and regional grants program staff;
· Maintain strong program monitoring, data gathering, compiling, and filing systems for the grants program;
· Work closely with project components and the MEL Director to ensure that data collection and reporting by grantees is in accordance with grant agreement requirements and the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP);
· Oversee working relationships with local implementing partners, cooperating agencies, beneficiaries, organizations and related agencies as related to the grants program;
· Develop new project concepts in the target sectors, based on needs and in accordance with USAID compliance regulations to support the Program in achieving its programmatic objectives legally and effectively;
· Conduct focused promotion and marketing of the grants program among target organizations within the key target sectors to attract interest in bidding for grants;
· Prepare and seek approval of the Grants Manual and its revisions from USAID;
· Liaise with the USAID/Office of Procurement on all grants related issues;
· Provide guidance on the grants making process including past performance review, and pre-award survey (as required);
· Manage the technical and cost evaluation, while performing the subsequent negotiation processes to arrive at acceptable grant agreements with selected applicants;
· Ensure all grant program procedures are in compliance with ADS 303 and all USAID guidelines for all required documentation, certifications, and forms in grant awards;
· Guide bidders to seek funding through all stages of the bidding process to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and provide the information needed to enable the proper appraisal and assessment of the project proposals;
· Provide and implement a financially prudent mechanism for determining a potential recipient’s capacity and managerial competence for the receipt of a grant;
· Monitor grants budget expenditures, assist in allocating funds, and prepare annual budgets;
· Conduct due-diligence on all successful partners with approved projects;
· Oversee internal audits and spot checks on partners; compare these with statutory annual project audits;
· With the Communications and Outreach Team promote the achievements and successes of the grant program; and
· Overall supervision and management of the grants program.
Minimum Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s degree in accounting, financial management, business administration, or related field. Master’s degree in these fields preferred.
· Minimum of 10 years of experience managing, in increasing roles of responsibility, grants or challenge funds, finance, procurement, internal/external audit, corporate risk management, and contracts management for international development activities of similar dollar value.
· Managerial experience working with private sector firms operating within key sectors such as ICT, Hospitality/Tourism, Commercial Agriculture/Food Processing, Light Industry/Manufacturing, Construction, and Hydropower.
· Demonstrated supervisory experience.
· Experience in managing donor-funded procurements and subcontracts/grants.
· Professionally proficient and fluent in written and spoken English.
· Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
· Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
Preferred Qualifications:
· Prior service as a USAID Grants Manager and with projects of comparable scale and complexity strongly preferred.
· Familiarity with USG financial reporting and compliance requirements and USG grant and procurement management preferred.
This position is contingent upon WSP being selected for a contract or program we are currently pursing.
This position is subject to and contingent upon client approval of candidates put forth for consideration by WSP.
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the transportation, buildings, energy, water and environment sectors. With nearly 9,500 people in 150 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper. www.wsp.com/usa
