Grants Team Leader

Background: 

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions in the fields of health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, and technology. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories. In Lebanon, FHI 360 is implementing the USAID-funded Lebanon Civic Action Accelerator Program (LEB-CAAP), which aims to enhance civil society responsiveness to locally driven demands to accelerate inclusive rights-based policies, practices, and services through a combination of grants, technical assistance, and partnerships. This $16M program began in July 2021 and will continue through June 2026. To learn more about our program offerings, visit https://daleel-madani.org/civil-society-directory/fhi-360 and our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram @lebcaap.  

FHI 360 seeks a qualified candidate to serve as the Grants Team Leader for LEB-CAAP. Reporting to the Deputy Chief of Party, the Team Leader will be responsible for managing the LEB-CAAP grants team to ensure proper management of the entire grant process and subaward cycle from pre-award to close-out including RFA/RFP design, solicitation processes, evaluation committees, negotiation, preparation of sub-award packages, award execution, subaward management and monitoring, administration and close-out in line with USAID and FHI 360 requirements.

Job Responsibilities:  

The Grants Team Leader responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manages the design process for new subaward solicitations with inputs from the LEB-CAAP grants and technical teams to ensure that solicitations are comprehensive, clear, and align with LEB-CAAP and USAID objectives and that grant selection processes are efficient, fair, transparent, and align with FHI 360 grant making processes, including the marketing and dissemination of grant opportunities, delivery of solicitation workshops; application screening for eligibility and facilitation of evaluation committees, etc.
• Ensures effective implementation of pre-award activities, including facilitation of pre-award financial, administrative and technical evaluations; supporting applications in finalizing / co-design their project descriptions and budgets; drafting of negotiation memoranda; development of accurate budgets and budget descriptions; and solicitation and review of supporting documentation.
• Ensures an effective communication flow between LEB-CAAP and grantees; facilitates grant orientation sessions and manages grant orientation process, maintains mechanisms to solicit and respond to feedback from grantees, ensures technical assistance and guidance from LEB-CAAP is appropriate, supportive, and clear. Provides training and coaching to grantees and staff as required.
• Provide technical support and capacity building of partners through one-on-one mentoring, on-demand technical assistance, group trainings, learning-by-doing and relationship-building activities, delivered virtually and in-person through direct and/or external training delivery
• Leads the grant team in maintaining a robust grant monitoring system, which includes processes for creating individual grant monitoring plans, implementation of monitoring activities, documentation and registry of these activities, and coordinated action to celebrate successes and address performance issues.
• Facilitates on-going reflection on the efficiency and quality of LEB-CAAP support to grantees and introduces improvements to grant processes.
• Maintains a robust grant tracking system that allows for quick and easy assessment of the status and performance of each grantee, including grant spending and contractual compliance.
• Provides regular updates to LEB-CAAP team members to facilitate technical assistance and monitoring of grants, support on-going reflection and analysis of grantee performance, and meet the project’s reporting requirements.
• Ensures effective coordination between the grants team and other LEB-CAAP teams to support pre- and post-award grant processes, including grant project design, budgeting as well as monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Contributes to the development and delivery of specialized training and mentoring for staff, grantees and civil society partners on all aspects of grants management and grant reporting as well as customized materials for grantees to manage their grants.
• Supervises and supports performance management and professional development of assigned staff, including ongoing feedback, coaching, and career support.
• Contributes to monthly and quarterly reporting, as well as annual work planning and learning activities.
• Participates in senior management team meetings, decision-making, and planning.
• Other responsibilities as needed to support project objectives.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree (advanced degree preferred) in international development, political science, human rights, business, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of experience in areas of grants, program design, grant administration, program operations, project management or relevant experience, preferably with USG / USAID programs.
• At least 4 years of experience in managing grants to civil society organizations (CSOs) under international donors, preferably USAID, including hands-on support to applicants in training and facilitating grant design, finalizing proposals, budgeting and/or Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL).
• Excellent management and communication skills, strong interpersonal skills to ensure internal consistency among the various team members.
• Experience in the administration and management of various types of grants, including fixed price agreements and cost reimbursement agreements.
• Proficiency in complying with international donor grant rules, regulations, and policies required, preferably USAID.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Lebanon’s civil society sector and enabling environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build positive working relationships with local communities, government officials, and donor representatives, and in working across different cultures.  
• Track record in managing diverse teams to deliver impact within agreed timelines.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic with track record in bilingual public speaking and event facilitation.
• Proven computer skills with Microsoft tools.

This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.  

FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself. We offer competitive compensation and an outstanding benefit package.   FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable law.  FHI 360 welcomes diversity among its staff and encourages members of any marginalized or underrepresented group to apply for any position for which they believe they are qualified.