The Senior Manager, Contracts and Grants is a hands-on professional responsible for managing and administering USP’s international development assistance contracts and grants in the Global Health and Manufacturing Services (GHMS) Division. This individual leads and mentors a Senior Subcontracts Specialist, and serves as USP’s liaison with all donors on matters related to contract administration and/or compliance matters. S/he will provide technical assistance and guidance to program staff on interpretation of donor regulations and award requirements and uses sound judgment in informing management when compliance risks arise. The Senior Manager, Contracts and Grants will also oversee the subcontract and sub-grant cycle from pre-award to close-out of subaward based on donor rules and regulations and USP policies and procedures.
Roles and Responsibilities
Manages full life cycle (cradle to grave) of all award/contract administration and management functions in close collaboration with GHMS program staff and other USP departments, such as USP Legal and Global Finance to include: negotiating all contracts/agreements, as requested; coordinating other contractual and financial matters to ensure all obligations and reporting requirements are met in accordance with all applicable donor rules and regulations and award terms and conditions; managing contract close out; and responding to donor inquiries.
Serves as USP main point of contact with all donors on matters related to contract administration and/or compliance.
Provides contract briefs to document new contract awards, modifications, and administrative changes to program leadership and staff.
Maintains close liaison with key USP departments, including but not limited to USP Global Finance, Procurement, Global Quality & Compliance, Legal, etc. to ensure contract and compliance coordination between departments.
Leads and/or supports efforts with other USP departments to ensure contract related tools and templates meet donor regulations.
Keeps abreast of, interprets, and provides guidance and advice on donor regulations and policies through resource sites, publications and information sessions/workshops, and provides training and/or refresher sessions on pertinent topics to GPH staff and other partners, as needed.
Oversees subaward cycle from pre-award, award, monitoring and close out of subaward based on donor rules and regulations and USP policies and procedures.
Manages the drafting of solicitation document (e.g. RFP, RFA, etc.), selection process during the proposal evaluation, negotiation with the awardees, drafting and finalization of subaward document
Ensures sub awardees comply with terms and conditions of the awarding instrument
Responds to issues that arise during the subaward/contract implementation, including but not limited to financial reporting, issuing modifications, oversight of compliance with terms and conditions and resolution of disputes, and resolving audit findings (financial and/or general performance).
Manages USP’s central repository of all GHMS contracts and grants, work orders, modifications, donor communication, deliverables, and other contract management elements, as necessary
Contributes to internal compliance reviews/audits as directed by USP management as well as supports external programmatic or financial audits.
Supports new business development opportunities to include clarifying donor-requirements in solicitations (including USG contracts and cooperative agreements) and conducting final compliance to ensure alignment with donor requirements and USP standards.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in relevant field with equivalent combination of education and experience
Eight (8) years of demonstrated experience in contracts and grants administration of large-scale, international development assistance programs
Skills Sought
Knowledge of US Government contracting instruments (e.g. contracts, cooperative agreements, etc.)
Proficiency in US Government regulations (AIDAR, FAR, CFR, etc.) with a specific emphasis on USAID (AIDAR, ADS, etc.) and ability to engage with USAID on award and contract-related matters.
Ability to interpret regulations and implement actions accordingly
Ability to travel internationally once company policy restrictions are lifted.
Preferred Qualifications
Bilateral, Multilateral, and Foundation donor experience preferred and knowledge of agency guidance and practice, and industry “best practices” for compliance and compliance tracking systems
Management skills requiring ability to interface and build strong working relationships with technical and operational business functions and staff
Strong communications skills both written and oral
Demonstrated experience conducting training and capacity building on range of donor compliance topics
Ability to work in multi-disciplinary, cross-cultural teams
Demonstrated ability to work independently, think critically, and solve complex problems with limited oversight
Must possess sound judgment and solid decision-making skills
Results oriented and efficient, while demonstrating ability to be flexibility and work in a rapidly-growing, globally-distributed organization
Excellent written and verbal communications skills, including strong multicultural communication skills
High-level of attention to detail
Excellent computer skills with knowledge of the internet and Microsoft Office is required
The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) is a scientific nonprofit organization that sets standards for the identity, strength, quality, and purity of medicines, food ingredients, and dietary supplements manufactured, distributed and consumed worldwide. USP’s drug standards are enforceable in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration, and these standards are used in more than 140 countries. USP’s focus on global public health extends to lower and middle-income countries with work in over 20 countries through donor-funded programs. Our programs are focused on building the capacity of regulatory authorities and manufacturers in ensuring patient access to quality-assured essential medicines by providing: 1) technical assistance to manufacturers to increase the supply of quality-assured priority medicines for malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) products; and 2) capacity-building activities to regulatory authorities to fulfill their function in ensuring the supply of quality-assured medical products.
