United States of America: Senior Award Administrator-CEPPS IFES Liaison

Project Description:

Established in 1995, the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) pools the expertise of the International Foundation forElectoral Systems,the International Republican Institute, and the National Democratic Institute, to provide election and political transition programming to USAID. The Global Elections and Political Transitions (GEPT) mechanism is a five-year USAID-funded Leader with Associates (LWA) award held by CEPPS.

CEPPS provides USAID and other donors with the capacity to deliver elections and political processes and transitions programming across the entire spectrum of political contexts and geographic regions. IFES is authorized two positions to be part of the CEPPS Administrative team. This position reports to the CEPPS IFES Senior Manager.Job Responsibilities:

The Senior Award Administrator-CEPPS IFES Liaison will develop and strengthen partnerships with multiple stakeholders within IFES, as well as partner organizations, USAID, and other donors; efficiently manage multiple deadlines and responsibilities related to USAID award management; and draft technical and other reports as directed. Successful candidates for this position will be:

• Meticulously detail-oriented and organized;

• Able to work independently;

• Able to prioritize, take direction, and handle varied tasks within deadlines;

• A strong communicator, both orally and in writing; and

• A collaborative, team oriented individual.

Under the direction and in coordination with the CEPPS IFES Senior Manager, this position will provide support to the IFES program teams for the administration and management of the Associate Awards issued under the USAID Global Elections and Political Transitions (GEPT) Leader with Associate Awards, implemented by the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS).

Duties will include:

• Participate in the administration of the GEPT Leader Award and all Associate Awards, including managing communications between CEPPS partners and with USAID.
• Forward and track communications, deliverables, and prior approval requests.
• Participate in IFES proposal development under the GEPT award by working with program teams on strategy development and budget creation, and ensuring compliance with terms and conditions of solicitations, as well as adherence to proposal development deadlines.Also participate in the recompete of the GEPT leader award or other major competitive solicitations as necessary.
• Help to encourage and maintain coordination and collaboration between partner program teams and with CEPPS Management on proposal development and project implementation.
• Assist with ensuring compliance with award terms and conditions and USAID regulations, as well as IFES internal policies and procedures.
• Track reporting deadlines and perform regular follow up with IFES program teams to ensure timely submission of reports and other deliverables to donor.
• Provide quality control, including copyedit and proof-reading support, on IFES requests, deliverables, and communications to the donor, while ensuring compliance with USAID regulations and award requirements.
• Manage the review and submission of CEPPS Leader and Associate Award quarterly and final reporting.
• Support, design, and implement ongoing training for IEFS staff, as well as be a resource to staff on CEPPS’ policies and processes, donor regulations, and award requirements.
• Work with the IFES Finance Department on financial reporting, close-out of completed associate awards, and other matters related to CEPPS financial administration; and
• Provide support to GEPT key personnel and other staff as needed to ensure efficient and effective award management, as well as support marketing efforts.

POSITION SCOPE: Provide varied support functions and perform moderately complex job duties. Manage work activities with internal and external partners to ensure achievement of assigned objectives. Performance and outcomes are subject to management oversight.

DECISION MAKING/PROBLEM SOLVING:** Exercise multi-factor decision-making requiring research and analysis, subject to supervisory guidance. Analyze and interpret issues and propose and implement solutions relying on knowledge of professional standards, principles and sound judgement. Initiate contact with staff in other departments to exchange substantive information and coordinates activities necessary to achieve work goals.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:** Participate in formulating and negotiating strong, competitive, and compliant proposals and final awards/grants. Support Finance staff in the areas of fiscal management, audit, and financial reporting for IFES’ awards.

RELATIONSHIPS:** Develop and maintain collaborative relationships, which require highly-developed interpersonal skills, involving active listening and problem solving, to assure desired outcomes. Seek opportunities to improve working relationships and work outcomes with internal and external partners.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:** May provide guidance to entry level staff. Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s Degree in international relations, political science, international development, or related field preferred.

Experience: Minimum of six years of experience with an NGO and/or for-profit in the international development sector. Experience with program management, design and administration of USG and non-USG awards (assistance and/or acquisition) preferably with USAID, Department of State, and other international development organizations. Knowledgeable and experienced with USAID grant and contract proposal regulations and procedures. Understanding and experience with cost/price analysis, indirect rate development, and grants and commercial contracting highly desirable. Working knowledge of OMB Circulars related to grants and cooperative agreements and/or AIDAR strongly preferred. Field experience desirable.

Related Skills or Knowledge: Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, required. Detailed oriented and organized. Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills. Collaborative, team oriented individual.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: English required.

TRAVEL: Travel may be required up to 10%.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:Standard office work environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

“All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment/promotions and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

IFES takes affirmative action with respect to the employment and promotion of women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans. IFES will also take affirmative action on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

IFES is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor”

careers@ifes.org