Grants Manager“Hiring for this position is contingent on funding. Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview as we prepare for this effort.”Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Peru or Suriname.This position provides direct support to the Grants and Contracts team within the Finance Department and reports to the Senior Grants Manager, Grants and Contracts Unit.This position will develop a business-partner relationship with assigned programs in HQ and the field, providing full-cycle grants and contracts support and training to staff and sub-recipients. The position will ensure that all administrative and financial aspects of grants and contracts management are performed efficiently and to a high standard of quality, from the planning and application phase through contracting, reporting, and close-out. This position will play an integral role in ensuring that their portfolio of grants and contracts complies with the prime donor’s requirements with an emphasis on oversight of financial reporting, contractual compliance, and strengthening the sub-recipient’s grant management capacity. Specifically, this position is responsible for assessing and managing grantee risk and compliance, generating grant agreements, contracts, and amendments, ensuring the integrity of data in the grants and contracts database(s), analyzing data, reviewing grantee financial reports, trouble-shooting reporting problems, and processing disbursement requests.The Grants Manager will support the Grants and Contracts Unit to ensure that grants management systems meet program needs and continuously work to refine systems to reduce organizational inefficiencies. In this role the Grants Manager will identify organizational system needs, training needs, and guidance tools that will support user adoption.This position will support the operations of the organization’s grants and contracts management. The incumbent has the authority to openly communicate with program teams, field staff, individual grantees, headquarters CI, and consultants to ensure efficient and well-coordinated grant management. The incumbent has the authority to process new agreements and amendments and to process disbursements on grants and contracts. The incumbent may delegate some work to, and help oversee, Grants CoordinatorsThis job requires an independent, flexible person to manage urgent requests and changes in priorities. This position requires a person with creativity, flexibility, and a positive attitude to manage the growing needs generated by expanding and emerging funding initiatives. This person will make recommendations to the Grants Management team for improved efficiencies and will be expected to take an active role in system innovation.RESPONSIBILITIESSub Awards
Support the full grant and contract award cycle, preparing agreements, amendments, and close-out letters.
Develop respectful, accountable, and open working relationships with grantees, convening meetings, calls, and site visits when necessary to address performance, compliance, or
reporting needs.
Interpret and explain CI and donor policies to programs, colleagues, and sub-recipients.
Conduct all due diligence prior to grant awards including financial risk assessments, security screenings, and validation of award data in systems of record.
Review and analyze all pre-award financial due diligence documentation to establish appropriate financial risk mitigation measures.
Ensure donor policies are appropriately reflected in sub-awards and grant proposals and budgets where necessary.
Develop capacity-building recommendations for sub-recipients.
Conduct pre-award field visits, new grantee orientations, and kick-off meetings.
Sub-award Financial and Contractual Compliance
Review financial reports submitted by grantees for accuracy and allowability in accordance with CI and donor policies.
Troubleshoot day-to-day compliance issues and spot/resolve red-flag compliance issues.
Request disbursements on a timely basis, and ensure accuracy of disbursement information in grant systems.
Use all sources of information available to troubleshoot reporting problems and problem-solve around financial management and contractual compliance issues.
The position will ensure reporting and award compliance targets are managed; progress tracked and expectations communicated to internal team members.
Develop compliance action plans and recommend tracking and communications systems for issues of non-compliance.
Systems & ProcessesParticipate in the continuous improvement efforts to streamline systems and processes.
Define business requirements for grant management processes and workflows.
Process BusinessWorld Contract Master Files and Vendor Master File approvals, ensuring data accuracy and reconciling with grant management system: Conservation Grants.
Ensure timely and accurate data entry into grant systems including BusinessWorld and Conservation Grants following procedures defined by CI and, as appropriate, the program.
Run reports out of the grants system(s) to ensure compliance of active grants.
Report software troubleshooting issues with IT for grant-making systems, track resolution of submitted tickets, and liaise with operations and program staff to identify common problems for discussion with IT.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The duties of this position are carried out in a normal office environment. Travel, up to five times per year, may be required.
Traveling for this position is considered non-essential and will be dependent on COVID-19-related guidance from the CDC and WHO.
This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some remotely. Guidance will be shared during the interview process.
QUALIFICATIONSRequired
Bachelor's degree, preferably in a finance-related field.
4 to 6 years of experience in a not-for-profit setting working in grants or finance.
Experience with US government, multi-lateral or public donor rules and regulations.
Experience in a matrix management environment.
Experience mentoring or training staff or implementing partners.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Strong organizational skills.
Strong computer skills including intermediate Excel, familiarity with databases, and cloud-based document management systems and collaboration tools.
Strong attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Demonstrated proficiency in collaborating seamlessly within a geographically dispersed team characterized by varying time zones, coupled with a strong capacity for self-motivation.Exemplifying resourcefulness in independently seeking solutions to inquiries and challenges.
Proficiency in written and oral English.
Preferred
Some knowledge of environment and international affairs.
Proficiency in written and oral Spanish.
To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.See all Conservation International Career OpportunitiesConservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.As a science-based organization, CI follows CDC recommendations for COVID-19 and other vaccines. Accordingly, for the health and safety of our employees, their families, and our community, subject to applicable local law, all Conservation International staff are expected to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, vaccination is no longer a mandate or condition of employment and employees are not required to provide proof of vaccination. This means we will not require an individual to be vaccinated to enter a CI office, attend CI events or travel on CI-related trips. This applies for our community partners as well. This vaccine expectation applies to all team members working remotely, in a hybrid work arrangement, and on-site. Job applicants are NOT required to state their COVID-19 vaccine status in their application.
