Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.
Program / Department Summary
The Grants and Contracts Unit (GCU) provides support to Mercy Corpsโ Country Office and Global Support Team operations through its subject matter expertise in the interpretation and application of donor regulations and related internal policies. Areas of support include: (1) donor regulations training for our teams and key partners, (2) technical guidance through help desk consultation and complex program collaboration, (3) creation and maintenance of award compliance materials and templates, (4) support for subaward administration, with an emphasis on drafting compliant subaward agreements and modifications, and (5) USG contract compliance (system and policy). Our mission is to increase the level of knowledge and availability of tools and resources to promote the highest possible standards of accountability, transparency, efficiency, and donor compliance.
The Position
The Compliance and Training Senior Assistant (CTSA) will provide overall support to the Grant Compliance team in the Grants and Contracts Unit. The CTSAโs primary focus is on supporting training events and related document management. The CTSA will also backstop award management functions and maintain data in compliance tracking systems.
Essential Job Responsibilities
- Provide advanced project and planning support for training events, including arrangement and preparation of venue, collection and dissemination of necessary documents, logistical support for participants and communication and required follow-up with all parties involved.
- Provide administrative support for the Grant Compliance team in the GCU.
- Provide support for other Grant Compliance system responsibilities, as needed.
- Proofread, edit, and format award-related documents for department team members and leadership.
- Develop content for training events and award management, as assigned by supervisor.
- Manage production and dissemination of Grant compliance newsletter and related communications.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility
None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Director, Grant Compliance
Works Directly With: Subaward and Grant Compliance Managers, Compliance Operations Officer, Country office personnel, cross-departmental teams, GCU senior leaders, and agency executives.
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills
- BA/S or equivalent in related field or 3+ years administrative support experience.
- International, grant, and education/training experience or demonstrated interest preferred.
- Ability to effectively use MS Office software (SharePoint, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other web-based platforms (e.g. Digital Library, GAIT, Google Docs, etc.).
- Well organized and flexible/adaptable to changing priorities.
- Ability to prioritize multiple competing requests, tasks, deadlines, and needs.
- Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues overseas from various backgrounds.
- Foreign language skills (Arabic, French, or Spanish) preferred.
Success Factors
The CTSA must be a detail-oriented multi-tasker. The CTSA must demonstrate patience and flexibility and take initiative to solve problems. Vital skills include a clear and courteous communication style (both written and verbal), as well as building and maintaining effective internal and external relationships. They must demonstrate the ability to understand and follow agency procedures, meet deadlines, and work both independently and as part of a complex distance-based, multi-cultural team. An exposure to, and interest in international development issues is important, and an understanding of the complex challenges faced by program teams operating in overseas environments is critical.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Washington, DC or Portland, Oregon. Some travel (approximately zero-10%) may be required to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MCโs policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the worldโs most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
As a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment.
Our screening process is designed to be transparent and completed in partnership with new Team Members. You will have the opportunity to disclose any prior convictions at the conclusion of the recruitment process before the check is initiated. We ask that you do not disclose any prior convictions in your application materials or during the recruitment process.
Covid-19 Vaccine Policy for US-Based Employees
Mercy Corps has determined that, in an effort to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all Mercy Corps employees working in the United States, all U.S.-based employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of prior COVID-19 infection status. This policy is necessary to ensure not only the safety of our workforce, but the ongoing functionality of the organization.
This policy will be revised as needed to comply with federal, state, and local requirements, and to respond to changing guidance from public health authorities.
For new employees this requirement goes into effect within 10 business days of employment. Team members that travel are expected to comply with host-country requirements, including vaccinations. Failure to comply may impact your employment. Proof of vaccination or exemption must be provided.