Grants Manager, Baladi Cap, Beirut, Lebanon

Company Profile:  MSI, a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, DC metro area international development firm with a 35-year history of delivering development results across the world. Our core expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation (M&E), institutional development, public sector management, governance and anti-corruption. MSI implements nearly 100 projects in 90 countries around the world such as Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Colombia, and Mexico. As one of the leading companies in our field, MSI has partnered with more than 80 organizations across all sectors of international development with clients ranging from large bilateral and multilateral donors such as USAID, the World Bank and the UNDP to national and local governments, NGOs, think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information on MSI, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.   Project Summary:  The Building Alliances for Local Advancement, Development and Investment Project (BALADI) aims to improve public service delivery at the local and regional levels, promote community participation in local governance decision-making, increase access to reliable and affordable public services, and support participatory and accountable local governance. The goal of BALADI is to achieve sustained and broad-based economic growth by engaging with municipal government institutions, Lebanese-registered civil society organizations and private sector businesses. The BALADI CAP project is a 5-year, USAID-funded project that complements and bolsters the activities of the BALADI project by providing organizational capacity-building assistance to local civil society organizations (CSOs) and municipalities in the implementation of joint municipal/CSO projects.   **Please note: Only Lebanese citizens are eligible for this position.**   Position Summary: MSI seeks to hire a Grants Manager to be responsible for assisting the BALADI CAP team in the design of upcoming and current grant awards to be provided to Lebanese CSOs. The Grants Manager will be assisting the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP), Junior Grants Manager and Senior Program Specialist in the process of reviewing grant applications, negotiating grant awards, and the final design of the grant award, before review by MSI HQ in Washington, DC.   Responsibilities: Assist in the overall design and management of all grants issued under the program, working closely with the DCOP, senior program specialist, grants manager and CSO specialists. Supervise and coach the junior grants manager in grant design and implementation. Ensure full compliance with the policies, practices and procedures relating to all aspects of grants discussed in the BALADI CAP grants manual. This includes specific procedures relating to grant development, grant awards, grant implementation, grant monitoring and evaluation and grant closeout. Provide day-to-day management of all aspects of the grants process, including the design and distribution of grant solicitations, review and selection of grantees, issuance of grant awards and agreements, implementation of the grant activities, and closeout of awards. Assist DCOP in analyzing grantee budget applications and budget management during execution of the grant to ensure feasibility, consistency, allocable costs, and compliance. Maintain close coordination with grantees during execution of the grants, in coordination with the CSO specialists, to track milestones, compliance, timelines and deliverables. Maintain the grants tracking database and oversee accurate reporting and documentation by grantees to ensure achievement of grant and program results. Prepare regular reports on grantee performance and signal any significant delays or other issues that impact implementation to the DCOP, senior program specialist and M&E specialist. Provide training and support to potential grantees in the preparation of their grant applications, during bidder’s conferences and in the administration of the grants following award. Liaise closely with MSI’s home office and serve as the primary focal point for the field office and home office in grant issues. Develop and communicate best practices in award compliance to ensure that program staff and grantees understand and adhere to relevant USAID and MSI grant and subcontract policies. Notify the chief of party (COP) and DCOP of any grantee project not able to meet their obligations and work to remedy these situations as they arise.   Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred) in a relevant field, i.e. business administration, management, logistics, contractual law, or related field, Minimum of seven (5) years of demonstrated expertise in developing and managing grant program activities in partnership with CSOs, preferably under a USAID-funded project. Experience overseeing procurements and service contracts in compliance with donor regulations, with knowledge of USAID regulations strongly desired. Demonstrated experience in providing training in grants management preferred. Strong knowledge of Lebanese civil society organizational administrative and management systems is an asset. Ability and willingness to conduct site visits throughout the country, as may be needed. Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English required.   Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. MSI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer.