Grants Officer

About Chemonics

Chemonics International is an international development company based in Washington, D.C. Our mission is to promote meaningful change around the world to help people live healthier, more productive, and more independent lives. Since 1975, we have worked in 150 countries around the world, and we are currently implementing 118 projects in 84 countries. Our main partner is the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and we also work with foreign donors such as the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) and the Global Fund. We have more than 4,000 staff in our project offices around the world, and more than 500 staff based in our headquarters in Washington, D.C.

1.  Project Background

The Lebanon Community Support Program (CSP) is a multi-year project funded by USAID to support municipalities and underserved and vulnerable communities in providing better services and enhanced economic opportunities to improve lives and reduce tensions that contribute to conflict and violence, primarily in Lebanon's North, South, and Beqaa regions. Under Task Order No. 4 (TO 4), the project will provide technical assistance and other support to improve labor skills and job placement opportunities through partnerships with the private sector, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) organizations, municipalities, and other public sector entities.  The main objective of this 3-year program is to improve skills and job placement opportunities for beneficiaries from vulnerable committees.

2.  Summary of Position

The Grants Officer will be responsible for assisting the Grants Advisor with administering, managing, and monitoring CSP grants under the workforce development component. The Grants Officer work with the Grants Advisor to utilize relevant Chemonics and CSP resources, including the project-specific Grants Manual and Activity Manual, to award grant activities with CSP partners to further the advancement of CSP goals and objectives. Illustrative grant activities may include assistance to TVETs for the provision of scholarships to students in need as well as in-kind assistance to partner institutions for equipment and refurbishment upgrades. The Grants Officer will also support the Grant Advisor in administering non-grant sub-awards through the TO 4 Activity Fund, including MOUs, subcontracts, and direct procurements. S/he will be responsible for supporting the Grants Advisor to ensure that all subawards are awarded, monitored, and closed-out in accordance with applicable regulations, vetting requirements, policies, procedures, and Chemonics internal controls.

3.  Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• • Work with the Grants Advisor to ensure that all contract-specified regulatory requirements for grants (e.g., ADS, CFR, and OMB) and other subawards are met in a satisfactory and professional manner.
  • Assist with record management by filing, scanning, and ensuring all required documents per the grantee file checklist are saved to the electronic and physical files, including direct procurements under TO 4 Activity Fund.
  • During activity implementation, work closely with partners and technical team to collect and review deliverables in conformity with the grant agreement and prepare payment request packages.
  • Assist the Grants Advisor to monitor activity expenditures by updating activity budget trackers and submit financial expenditure projections on monthly/quarterly bases.
  • Maintain efficient vetting tracking system; collect PIF information from partners and liaise closely with Activity Fund team to ensure each award and scholarship recipient is vetted following the USAID Vetting Guidelines.
  • Support in drafting and releasing Requests for Applications (RFAs) to solicit applications and assess the capacity and readiness of potential grantees, including TVETs.
  • Support the Grants Advisor in drafting and/or reviewing grant documentation for accuracy and completeness during all stages of the activity cycle. Documents include, but are not limited to grant agreements, negotiation memos, budgets, grant agreement modifications, grant completion certificates and deeds of donation, and environmental compliance documentation, among others
  • Ensure that grants activities are closed out within required time frames. The Grants Officer will take the lead role in preparing grant documentation to ensure all activity files are complete and ready to be closed out in accordance with the grants file checklist.
  • Travel to field locations, as needed, to conduct pre-award assessments, support grant negotiations, monitor implementation, and conduct close-out.
  • Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by the TO 4 Director, TO 4 Grants Advisor, the Chief of Party/IDIQ Director, or designee

4.  Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required from an accredited university;
• At least 2 years of experience working in the relief and development sector in Lebanon on projects funded by international donors;
• Experience with grant, subcontract, and procurement management required; proven ability to convert technical specifications and recommendations into subaward assistance instruments;
• Experience and/or knowledge of USAID rules and regulations related to grants management preferred;
• Experience in reviewing and negotiating budgets, reviewing financial reports, preparing for and monitoring audits of grantees, and file management;
• Experience with workforce development programming preferred;
• Ability to work independently and autonomously, as well as within a dynamic, fast-paced team with proven interpersonal skills;
• Experience working across Lebanon, specifically vulnerable communities in the North, Beqaa and the South regions;
• Fluent Arabic and English speaking and writing skills.

5.  Location of the Assignment

The Grants Officer will be based in CSP' s main office in Beirut and will be expected to travel to CSP's areas of operation throughout the country, as needed.

6.  Reporting

The Grants Officer will report directly to the TO 4 Grant Advisor and TO 4 Director.

 Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants that can legally work in Lebanon will be considered for employment based on their qualifications without discrimination.