Deputy Chief of Party for Grants & Administration at Creative Associates International

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Deputy Chief Of Party for Grants & Administration

Job ID: 2021-2187
Job Location: Abuja
Category: Grants Management

Project Summary

• The USAID-funded West Africa Trade and Investment Hub Project (hereinafter referred to as the Trade Hub) is a five-year, $140 million trade and investment facilitation activity that seeks to improve private sector competitiveness in West Africa through a market-based approach. By working in partnership with the private sector and fostering co-investments, the project will generate new private-sector capital investment into key sectors to create jobs and increase trade between the U.S. and West Africa, including through increased utilization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The Activity comprises two main components:
  • Design and administration of a Co-Investment fund for private sector partnerships and
  • Technical assistance (TA) that directly supports, coordinates, and engages with qualifying recipients (i.e., partners and grantees) to achieve USAID’s trade and food security objectives.
• The Trade Hub activity also focuses on co-investment partnerships that will increase agricultural productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers in Nigeria under a Research and Development (R&D) fund towards innovating and modernizing practices across five targeted value chains.

Position Summary

• The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for Grants & Administration will be based in Abuja, Nigeria -- office of the Trade Hub. The DCOP for Grants & Administration will be responsible in overseeing the rapid mobilization and post-award management of the $96 million in Trade Hub grant activities implemented throughout the West Africa region
• . The DCOP for Grants & Administration will also supervise and support the field Operations Director in the smooth running of the head and regional offices and ensuring that office operations are kept consistent with donor, Creative, and project standards.

Reporting & Supervision:

• The DCOP for Grants & Administration will report to the Chief of Party with dotted-line reporting to the HQ-based Project Director, and HQ Director of Grants and Administration to ensure full involvement of headquarters support and integration of corporate systems in the grants process.
• The DCOP for Grants & Administration will also supervise and support the field Grants Director, the field Operations Director, and the field operations team consisting of HR, logistics, IT, security, and administrative staff across the region, notably the central office located in Abuja, Nigeria and the three regional offices in Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, and Ghana.

Primary Responsibilities
Grants:

• As custodian of the Trade Hub grants portfolio, manage the entirety of the grants process from pre-solicitation to grant close-out, identifying and resolving bottlenecks, problem-solving/providing senior-level guidance to staff as issues arise, and periodically reviewing, adapting, and streamlining the grants process in collaboration with Trade Hub and HQ staff/leadership;
• Manage the post grant award and grant implementation in multiple countries;
• Oversee the Trade Hub’s use of Creative’s grants management system (SMART), ensuring that:
• Grant records (solicitations, applications, awarded activities, amendments, payments, deliverables, etc.) and all supporting documentation are accurate and up to date;
• Grant payments are properly reconciled with Creative’s Dynamics accounting system;
• Reports/dashboards meet the needs of each Trade Hub department/team;
• User issues are immediately reported to the HQ Grants department and resolved; and
• System enhancements are explored with the HQ Grants department and implemented where necessary and feasible.
• Supervise the Trade Hub’s Senior Grants Manager and Regional Grants Manager(s), ensuring strong coordination and communication among the team throughout the region;
• Coach, mentor, and train Trade Hub staff on SMART and the project’s grants process as needed;
• Facilitate strong coordination/teamwork between HQ and the field, liaising between the Trade Hub’s field team, HQ backstop team, and HQ Grants department as needed to answer compliance-related questions, troubleshoot grant implementation challenges, and report on the overall status of the Trade Hub’s grants portfolio;
• Collaborate with the Trade Hub’s Public Private Partnerships (PPP) and Research & Development (R&D) teams to guide applicants through the co-creation/pre-award negotiation process and strengthen the capacity of grants staff to provide pre- and post-award mentoring and guidance to applicants/grantees; and
• Work across Trade Hub teams (grants, PPP, and R&D) and with project leadership to finalize award packages (grant agreements, grant negotiation memos, workplans, and budgets); collaborate with the Trade Hub’s backstop team, HQ Grants and Contracts, and, where appropriate, USAID to shepherd finalized packages through the approval process.

Administration & Operations:

• Support and supervise the field operations team including the Operations Director and thee field operations team including HR, logistics, IT, security, and administrative staff across the region, notably the central office located in Abuja, Nigeria and the three regional offices in Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, and Ghana;
• Ensure streamlined operations systems in line with Creative and donor rules and regulations;
• Provide administrative and logistical support to the Operations Director and portfolio of program;
• Ensure that all regional offices operational policies, including field operations management guide, inventory and ICT, are in place, compliant with project and donor policies, and implemented effectively;
• Ensure an in-depth awareness of operational issues in the context of Trade Hub countries.
• Responsible for day-to-day management of subcontracts for project operations;
• Manages and oversees staff responsible for arranging travel and logistics for staff and project equipment and inventory;
• Provides timely and accurate reports on location of staff and assets and maintains proper hard and soft copy files for each. Reports may be requested by HQ or donor;
• Responsible for program compliance with USG rules and regulations, and Creative policies and procedures;
• Supports COP and the technical DCOP in all operations tasks and duties;
• Manages, trains, and mentors key project country team members in the areas of administration, logistics, human resources, IT, and other departments as needed;
• Respond to requests from donor and supervisors as needed;
• Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Required Skills & Qualifications:

• M.Sc Degree in Project Management, Accounting / Financial Management, or related field; and at least ten years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field and at least twelve years of relevant experience;
• At least eight years of relevant work experience, including experience with a Contractor or international NGO managing an office or program;
• At least four years of experience supervising complex, high-speed, and challenging field operations in developing countries;
• Experience with operations, logistics and subcontracts in West Africa required;
• Prior experience providing senior/corporate level support and training to staff under U.S. Government (USG)-funded grants programs;
• Strong demonstrable experience in grants management (Grants under Contract) and the grants process for a USAID program is a must;
• Knowledge of basic operating procedures in high-risk environments;
• Excellent project management, leadership, and supervisory skills;
• Strong knowledge of USG donor regulations as they relate to grants and contracts;
• Excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills;
• Ability to work well in a team environment as well as independently;
• Ability to multi-task under tight deadlines;
• Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project, etc.) and grants management software; and
• Fluency in written and spoken English with the ability to draft high quality grant agreements, negotiation memorandums, and justifications for grant approval;
• Proficient oral and written communication skills in English and French;
• Available to travel within the West Africa region when necessary, in particular to the other project offices;
• Previous experience working with USAID strongly desire;
• Locals of the four countries mentioned (Nigeria, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.