Sr. Finance and Grants Specialist

Overview

RTI International is an independent nonprofit research institute and leading development organization headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA. RTI has worked in over 150 countries in the sectors of economic growth, governance, education, and health. A cornerstone of RTI’s work is strengthening the capacities of local partners and systems to increase local ownership and ensure that host country individuals and organizations have the skills and resources to achieve their missions and sustain their services in the long term.

RTI International is seeking Finance and Grants Specialist candidates for the USAID/Burma Higher Education System Strengthening (BHESS) Activity —that will be implemented through September 2027. The project field office and staff will be based out of Bangkok, Thailand. BHESS intends to utilize a locally led development approach to strengthen the non-state higher education sector in Burma by supporting alternative post-secondary education providers and ethnic Community/Junior Colleges.

Responsibilities

The Finance and Grants Specialist will oversee all finance and grants transactions and compliance with RTI’s and USAID’s rules and regulations. The Finance and Grants Specialist will be part of the BHESS 7-person field team (consisting of 4 full-time staff and 3 part-time coaches).

Co-lead the grants making process in tandem with the Technical and Operations Manager, including competition and selection, and then grants administration and monitoring, as well as build capacity of grantees on organizational policies and compliance.

Essential Duties on Grants Management:

Develop and oversee grants manual and grants management process for local organizations, including the grant proposal tracking, review, and approval process, as well as annual budgets and finances.
Issue Request for Applications (RFAs) in consultation with the Technical Lead, and with support from Finance and Grants Coordinator.
Facilitate the setting up and convene meetings of the Grants Evaluation Committee.
Review technical and financial proposals from local grantees, including negotiating annual budgets, and review grantee financial expenditure reports for accuracy and adherence to their scope of work (SOW) and budget.
In collaboration with the Technical and Operations Manager and/or the RTI home office grants team, conduct pre-award assessment of potential grantees to determine the level of risk and make recommendation to management.
Ensure that the grants package is complete and accurate and uploaded in GMS (Grants Management System).
Provide guidance to grantees on rules and regulations applicable to grants instruments, as well as financial reporting.
Provide training, as required, to build operational capacity of implementing partners & grantees.
Coordinate execution of award documents (pre-award authorizations, awards, modifications, etc.).
Ensure maintenance of grants files, including records on monitoring and evaluation and other quality control activities (financial, programmatic, proof of performance).
Manage and maintain the GMS.
Manage the BHESS grants team, including supervising the Finance and Grants Coordinator.
Review grantee performance and ensure compliance with award terms and conditions.
Coordinate or perform periodic evaluations of completed grantee projects and other duties as directed by the Technical and Operations Manager and/or the RTI home office grants team to assess compliance with grant agreements and implementation schedules.
Review selection procedures to comply with grant agreements and detect and resolve implementation problems.
Periodically travel to grant implementation sites and grantees’ offices for monitoring and evaluation of grant activities, training of grantees, compliance checks.
Review and process grantees invoices in coordination with Technical Lead for performance measurement and for financial compliance assessment.
Ensure timely financial disbursements and compliance with grants financial management policies, monitor all grant expenses, and provide regular updates on expenditure and the status of grants that are in the pipeline.
Manage property purchased under grant funds – with the HR and Operations Officer maintaining equipment records, conducting physical inventory of equipment and manage handover of equipment to grantees at the end of the grants, with USAID’s approval.
Coordinate Close-out for completed grants in a timely manner.

Essential Duties on Financial Management:

Responsible for overall project financial management and prepares and submits financial statements and other cost accounting reports.
Maintain project financial management files including for grants and ensures audit trail for all necessary documentation. Implement and monitor cost effective and efficient systems and procedures.
Coordinate and consolidates the projection of monthly, quarterly and annual expenditures and prepares pipeline estimates for the project, including grant specific forecasts.
Accounting/keep track of expenses and other financial transactions, mainly involving expense entry, tracking, and record keeping.
Perform the cash management functions required in maintaining RTI bank accounts.
Oversee the petty cash accounts management by the coordinator.
Review and submit bank reconciliations that was prepared by the coordinator.
Coordinate with compliance and international accounting team on financial transactions issues.
Responsible for the monthly accounting reports submission.
Perform other tasks as assigned by his/her supervisors.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree and 8 years of experience, Master's degree and 6 years of experience managing finance and grants, preferably with some audit experience, PhD and 1 year of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills & Abilities

Below are skills and abilities needed to perform the essential duties of this job.

Experience working for USAID-funded projects and knowledge of USAID grant regulations preferred.
Familiarity with USG (US Government) Cost Accounting Standards. Extensive knowledge of computerized accounting systems, online banking systems, accounting software such as QuickBooks, Oracle and Microsoft Office.
Ability to resolve problem situations and communicate tactfully and effectively, both orally and in writing, and ability to work with diverse individuals.
Ability to understand and interpret grant policies and procedures as well as the ability to apply them with consistency in a variety of circumstances.
Ability to function independently and carry out routine responsibilities with minimal supervision
Must be able to communicate in English (written and oral).
Ability to work well as a team player in a demanding environment.
Ability to monitor progress of a project against milestones or deadlines, double-check the accuracy of information to discover weakness or missing data.
Knowledge of Burmese and Thai regulations preferred.
Experience working in Burma strongly preferred.
Availability to travel within Thailand.
This position is only for Thai national.