This position is contingent on funding. Please submit your application by April 13.
PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps has operated in Iraq since 2003, implementing both emergency response and longer term development programs that are assisting Iraqis – internally displaced persons (IDPs), host communities and other vulnerable groups, throughout the country. While remaining responsive to the urgent needs of those affected by conflict and displacement in Iraq, Mercy Corps also aims to incorporate development activities into its programming, with a focus on identified strategic priority areas. These include programs that promote inclusivity, conflict negotiation skill building, capacity building of local institutions, economic development of the ICT sector and transformative youth empowerment. The USAID funded CAP program is a cornerstone of Mercy Corps’ work in Iraq. It is a community based development initiative that provides improvements to local community infrastructure while linking local community action groups to their government, encouraging community engagement. This, combined with Mercy Corps extensive work with various civil society groups and activists throughout the country, has provided Mercy Corps Iraq with a strong foundation from which to build new civil society programming that is responsive to the changing face of Iraqi civil society.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Grants and Compliance Director for Mercy Corps’ Iraq Civil Society Program is a key position in the $75 million, 3-year USAID-funded “Broadening Participation through Civil Society Project”, responsible for ensuring and facilitating the compliance of programs with donor regulations and requirements. S/he will report to the Chief of Party and work closely with staff dedicated to the program – Deputy Chief of Party, Sr Technical Advisors, Finance Director and Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, and Iraq procurement and logistics offices, and consult with Mercy Corps’ Portland HQ compliance and legal departments.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Vision and Strategy
- Provide leadership and direction with regard to any grant or contract functions needed for the program’s success and to provide input on program functions.
- Participate in the development of the overall programmatic strategy and the strategy for the sub-grants program and administer competitive RFA processes with clearly defined and communicated steps for selecting, negotiating and awarding sub-grants that results in agreements that effectively address the needs identified through the needs assessment.
Compliance Sub-grant Management:
- Participate in design, planning, implementation and monitoring of future projects.
- Ensure that the program is executed in alignment with grant agreement guidelines and other donor guidelines, staying abreast of changes in regulatory environment related to donor/grant compliance; update policies and procedures as necessary;
- Review procurement and program transactions, contracts and other documents for compliance requirements and ensure these requirements are met;
- Ensure timely and accurate submission of vetting requests to the donor;
- Prepare and submit compliance related requests to the donor on behalf of both Mercy Corps and sub grantees: waivers, approvals, contract modifications, extensions, etc.;
- Identify and communicate compliance risks associated with program implementation;
- Prepare internal and donor compliance-related reports.
- Develop a sub-grant management manual and review/update existing tools and procedures and ensure they are compliant with U.S. government regulations and tailored to the Iraq context;
- Assist with the design and manage the administration of competitive and transparent award processes for issuing sub-grants to recipients in Iraq;
- Negotiate agreements with sub-grant partners and manage the contract development, approval and signing;
- Issue sub-grants and ensure performance of awards to the specifications of the agreement, and as necessary make modifications in accordance with USAID and Mercy Corps’ procedures;
- Provide compliance guidance and consultations to subgrantees on a demand-driven basis and conduct formal subgrantee training workshops;
- Oversee sub-grant administration including implementation, extensions, annual planning coordination, compliance monitoring and reporting and compliance management;
- Ensure monitoring plans are developed and implemented for all sub grants;
- Monitor reporting, accountability and internal controls for all grants and contracts;
- Monitor and review compliance on sub-awards issued by sub-grantees;
- Ensure organization and tracking of all grant and contract documents;
- Create and implement administrative, contract and grant procedures and ensure compliance with applicable Iraqi/USAID laws and regulations governing grant and contractual activities.
Team Management
- Create and sustain a dynamic and participatory work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
- Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
- Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary. Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance reach objectives.
- Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
- Ensure that all staff receive appropriate communications regarding their compliance assignments and responsibilities;
- Develop, update as necessary and deliver training programs and materials and ensure all staff are aware of the compliance requirements related to their position;
Organizational Learning: As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve – we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Grants and Compliance Officers and Assistants
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Chief of Party
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Deputy Chief of Party, Finance Director, Team Leader, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Operations Director, Program Director, Grants Program Director
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- BA/S or equivalent in International Development and MA preferred.
- 6+ years of relevant field or management experience of complex, multi-dimensional programming including administering small grants in an international environment.
- Experience in grants design, negotiation, and administration is required.
- Proven success managing the administration and compliance of US government funding, particularly with the management of large USAID-funded sub-grant mechanisms of a comparable size;
- Proven experience managing complex teams in difficult environments;
- Demonstrated experience and ability to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate and defend Mercy Corps’ interests with a diverse range of international and local organizations and other groups;
- Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills are necessary;
- Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required;
- Experience working in complex political environments, and accordingly under dramatically more complex USG regulations;
- Experience with emergency response programs and staff training and mentoring is preferred;
- Experience living and working in Iraq or the Middle East region is preferred;
- Fluency in written and spoken English essential; proficiency in Arabic is preferred;
SUCCESS FACTORS:
A successful candidate will have demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving and a proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results. S/he will be able to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, live within a complex security and political situation and follow strict security protocols with knowledge of security standards, equipment, precautionary measures, communication protocols, various unstable conditions and familiarity of the Sphere Project’s Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response. An ability to work independently and as part of a team, a knowledge of procurement and tendering and a curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures are all essential.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This position is unaccompanied although the exact location of the program is yet to be determined. Group housing and limited freedom of movement beyond the house/office can be expected. Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.