United States of America: Director of Contracts & Grants

Pathfinder Overview

Pathfinder International is driven by the conviction that all people, regardless of where they live, have the right to decide whether and when to have children, to exist free from fear and stigma, and to lead the lives they choose. Since 1957, we have partnered with local governments, communities, and health systems in developing countries to remove barriers to critical sexual and reproductive health services. Together, we expand access to contraception, promote healthy pregnancies, save women’s lives, and stop the spread of new HIV infections, wherever the need is most urgent. Our work ensures millions of women, men, and young people can choose their own paths forward.

Program Overview

Contracts & Grants works in partnership with other Pathfinder International departments to ensure organizational compliance, award compliance and proposal compliance. This includes providing leadership and oversight of procurement, vetting, award contractual management, award database management, award document retention, and subaward management.

Position Purpose

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Contracts & Grants will lead the Contracts & Grants team to ensure effective oversight of the policies and procedures that support Pathfinder International’s administration and management of cooperative agreements, grants, contracts and various types of subaward instruments. Keeping up-to-date on new regulations, the Director will act as a resource to increase understanding and awareness of donor requirements. The Director will lead the development of trainings, communications, and procedures to assure compliance with organizational policies and donor requirements.

Key Responsibilities

· Leads and manages the Contracts & Grants team to ensure timely and responsive grant and contract management and administration for a diversified portfolio of awards with a consistent focus on process standardization and improvement.

· Oversees proposal compliance, working closely with funding staff to help mitigate risk and ensure compliance with donor application requirements.

· Oversees award contractual management from pre- to post-award including review and negotiation of award documents, training staff members in award requirements, advising staff on risk management, and liaising with donors on contractual approvals and compliance issues.

· Oversees subaward management which encompasses subcontracts, subagreements and grants with a focus on development of streamlined procedures, templates and trainings to ensure effective management of subawards at all levels.

· Oversees organizational compliance including review of service contracts, leases and memorandums of understanding. This also includes maintaining and updating the following policies and procedures: Delegation of Authority, Procurement, and Vetting.

· Works with other staff and departments to identify compliance obstacles or challenges and develop innovative solutions.

· Develops and provides ongoing Contracts & Grants trainings and communications.

· Keeps current on regulatory trends, anticipating changes and liaising with member institutions to share best practices and to advocate for Pathfinder International’s interests.

· Performs other duties as assigned.

Basic Requirements

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, related field or relevant contracts certification with 12 years of related experience including a minimum of 7 in a non-profit environment, preferably international.
• In depth knowledge of USG rules and regulations, specifically USAID, CDC, and State Department
• Proven negotiation skills, including ability to negotiate effectively, make sound decisions, and apply creative problem solving.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral), and the ability to make effective and persuasive presentations to small and large groups.
• Sound judgment; culturally sensitive. Ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment, keeping multiple priorities moving with strong attention to details.
• Solid diplomatic skills, including ability to effectively manage varied internal and external relationship particularly donor relationships.
• Demonstrated experience in formulating and implementing policies, controls, and procedures.
• Demonstrated supervisory and leadership skills including ability to lead staff and promote productivity, and the ability to interact effectively with all staff levels.
• Approaches problems from different perspectives to suggest and implement solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Willingness to travel internationally to provide short term technical and administrative support
• USAID experience
• International work experience in developing countries.
• Knowledge of second language highly desirable

http://www.pathfinder.org/about-us/join-our-team/