Grants & Contracts Specialist

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.

Department Grants & Contracts (GRACON) - Pact exists to help create a world where those who are poor and marginalized exercise their voice, build their own solutions, and take ownership of their future. The Grants and Contracts department contributes to realizing this purpose by: • Supporting Pact’s vision and mission by providing innovative solutions within a compliance-oriented perspective. • Providing timely and accurate risk mitigation-focused support to the organization, with a special emphasis on successful program implementation throughout the business lifecycle for every activity, from pre-positioning, proposal development, prime award negotiation, and implementation through closeout. • Building internal capacity and champion effective knowledge management within our global community of grants and contracts practitioners.

Position Overview

Pact is seeking a Grants & Contracts Specialist to support grants and contracts management of a USAID-funded program in El Salvador. Reporting to the Grants & Contracts Manager, he/she will provide support to grants, contracts and agreements oversight in line with USAID rules and regulations. The Grants & Contracts Specialist will ensure that all grants and contracts comply with donor rules and regulations and organizational policies and procedures, ensure timely issuance of grants and contracts, provide technical support to local partners for the correct documentation and reporting process of the local grants and contracts, and monitor sub-grantees and sub-contractors to ensure compliance with terms of their agreements.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Sub-Grants Manager to ensure that the subaward structure is aligned with the Activity’s technical needs and priorities.
  • Support the rapid and compliant issuance of grants and contracts, especially during start-up.
    • Help administer the full cycle of subaward management activities, including planning, facilitation, selection, pre-award assessments, negotiation, submission, orientations, review of monthly reports (including cost share), monitoring / compliance visits, and closeout.
      • Use required sub-award management and accounting systems for subaward issuance and management. Ensure that all required documentation is available and stored as per Pact policy and donor rules and regulations.
        • Support the oversight of budget management of project’s subaward pool and ensure accurate and timely disbursement and liquidation of subaward expenses.
          • Assist with the timely training of subgrantees, sub-contractors, and Activity staff to understand and comply fully with funder requirements.
            • Ensure that office systems for subawards are maintained and that regular reports are provided to Activity leadership, Washington, DC teams and/or to the funder, as required.
              • Support closeout of awards, including preparation of final inventories, property disposition, etc.
                • Support project procurements and procurement-related tasks in compliance with donor rules and regulations, as well as with Pact processes.
                  • Work with project staff to ensure that implementation of grants and contracts follows donor requirements.
                    • All other duties as assigned.

                      Basic Requirements

                      • Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master's and 3 years of experience.

                        Preferred Qualifications

                        • Experience successfully working with civil society organizations or international development projects in a role supporting the management of grants.
                        • Experience assessing the responsibility and grant-worthiness of organizations through financial statements, audits, and other documentation presented in a proposal or in support of an award.
                        • Experience drafting and managing performance-based subawards. Knowledge of USAID and other funder rules and regulations as related to subgrant procurement, compliance, and cost principles.
                        • Proficiency in written and spoken Spanish and functional proficiency in English.
                        • Ability to problem-solve difficult issues, and to multitask with ease, adapting to frequently changing priorities.
                        • Professional-level English language skills (written and oral).
                        • Good understanding of budgets.
                        • Salvadorians are encouraged to apply.