ThaiNGO

Thailand

Job Description

Grants and Contracts Officer

Education Development Center
Founded in 1958, EDC is an international non-governmental organization that works to build bridges between educational research, policy and practice. EDC’s headquarters is located in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA, with additional offices in New York City, Washington, DC, Nairobi, and Bangkok. EDC manages 250 projects in 35 countries with more than 1,350 employees worldwide.

EDC is committed to diversity in the workplace.

The USAID-funded Connecting the Mekong through Education and Training (USAID COMET) project will help universities and vocational centers to increase the number of skilled workers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, Accounting and Tourism (STEM+AT) fields in the Lower Mekong countries: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.  USAID COMET seeks to bridge the gap between the private sector, universities and vocational centers in order to ensure the supply of skilled workers meets the demands from local businesses.  The project will rely on mobile technology, online learning, and traditional in-person workshops to promote regional networking in ASEAN and to help people from rural and marginalized areas access educational services.

Over the course of the five-year project, vocational centers and universities will be strengthened so that they can help future leaders develop the skills needed to catalyze job growth in high demand industries in the sub-region. This project will ultimately empower the Lower Mekong countries with a workforce that can bridge the development gap within ASEAN and take advantage of the benefits under the ASEAN Economic Community. 

Title: Grants and Contracts Officer

Report to: Deputy Chief of Party, Programs

Summary:  The Grants and Contracts Officer will work closely with the Deputy Chief of Party, Programs, COMET home office support, and EDC’s Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) at Home Office to provide oversight and management of the USAID COMET program’s grants component. S/he will provide policy guidance and interpretation for program staff as well as grantees on the grant programs. S/he will also work as part of the USAID COMET team and collaborate effectively with sub grantees, subcontractors and partners as well as other stakeholders in the Lower Mekong countries on grants award, grants management, the award and administration of subcontracts, other procurement and contractual documentation, performance monitoring, and relevant compliance issues.

Job Responsibilities:

In compliance with USAID’s and EDC’s contractual and procurement regulations and procedures, draft and provide inputs to project sub-awards, grants, and subcontracts;

Assist with the design, development, implementation, and program monitoring and evaluation of grant-making and sub-contracting according to EDC and donor management policies, procedures, and practices; 

Analyze and evaluate grant applications, proposals, and awards to ensure adherence to grants management policies;

Ensure proper negotiation of the terms and conditions for grants and contracts and review and analyze budget estimates for reasonableness and consistency;

Prepare contracts according to USAID and EDC rules and regulations, including the documentation that must accompany all contracts and agreements and oversee contract compliance; 

Ensuring post-award management in accordance with relevant regulations; including but not limited to reporting, audits, etc. in accordance with USAID and Program directives, policies, and procedures;

Overseeing procurements for in-kind grants and project operations;  

Coordinate subcontracting and granting process:

Draft RFAs and RFQs for procurements.

Participate in proposal and contract price/cost proposal evaluations.

Negotiate with awardees.

Draft, review, and finalize subcontracts, service agreements and grants.

Liaison between Bangkok and Home Office regarding the requirements and preparation on procurement documentation;  

Maintain integrity of project files related to procurements, grants and subcontracts;

Prepare, organize, and maintain grant and contract records and files documenting grant awards, contract awards, modifications, performance and compliance, close-out of subcontracts and grants;

Monitor regulatory compliance of contract performance on continuing basis;

Training and mentoring staff, grantees and subcontractors as required.

Other tasks as assigned.

Essential Functions

Reporting to DCOP, Programs, the Grants and Contracts Officer is expected to provide procedures and policy guidance for program staffers, sub-grantees and sub-contractors and ensure adherence to grant and subcontract management procedures, procurement regulations, and related EDC and USAID policies. S/he must have good knowledge of USAID contract management and grants management policies and procedures and demonstrate an ability for developing, administering, monitoring and managing grants and subcontracts, including ensuring post-award management in accordance with relevant regulations. S/he must be able to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with sub-grantees, subcontractors, collaborators, co-workers, field staff, and funders; and to work respectfully with EDC colleagues.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and 6 to 7 years of progressively responsible and directly relevant experience in USAID grants design and administration, management and oversight preferred;

Demonstrable experience managing grants or sub-grants or for USAID and/or the award and administration of subcontracts, preferably on USAID-funded projects;

Good knowledge of USAID contract management and grants management policies and procedures;

Good oral and written English and communication skills;

Ability to work within a team and multitask;

Fluency in English is required; Proficiency in other relevant languages a plus; and

Can travel to Lower Mekong Countries as needed.

This is a local hire position and is open to Thai citizens and non-citizens with valid work authorization. A competitive benefits package and salary will be provided in local currency. This is a full-time position for 12 months with the possibility of extension based on availability of funding.

Interested qualified candidates are requested to submit their CV and cover letter to COMET_Jobs@edc.org by August 14, 2015. To ensure the timely review of your credentials, please insert “Grants and Contracts Officer” in the subject line of the email.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.