The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is a 501(c)3 grantmaking foundation that receives an annual Congressional appropriation in excess of $310 million and is governed by a private, bipartisan Board of Directors. This unusual arrangement positions NED to play a unique role as America’s leading foundation for freedom, empowering the institution to be nimble, innovative, and risk-taking in support of democratic activists, civil society organizations, independent media, and the NED family core institutes (the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, the Center for International Private Enterprise, and the Solidarity Center).
We seek a motivated, energetic, organized, and resourceful Senior Grants Manager, Eurasia who is a mission-oriented team player, and who would be excited to join a fast-paced Grants Administration team. This position is based in Washington, D.C.
Position Summary:
The Senior Grants Managers are the first-level supervisors of the department. They supervise and mentor Grants Officers and Senior Grants Officers in addition to providing hands-on cradle-to-grave management of discretionary grant portfolios, including those in high risk and/or complex environments. They are distinguished from Senior Grants Officers by the extent of their demonstrated professional judgment and high knowledge level, proficiency with grants management concepts, supervisory responsibilities, and emerging leadership skills. Senior Grants Managers work closely with their peer colleagues in Regional Program and Compliance to provide effective and collaborative due diligence and oversight of grant programs, as well as taking on additional responsibilities and special tasks as assigned to provide a supporting role to their principals.
The mission of the Grants Administration department is to provide effective and efficient grants management, guiding grantees through the grant lifecycle to support their successful implementation of projects, in support of NED’s mission. The department strives to promote consistent implementation of policy and procedure, flexibility, responsiveness, innovation, and collaboration in the administration of NED’s grantmaking program.
Responsibilities:
- Work closely and flexibly with a diverse range of activists in media, human rights, rule of law, conflict resolution, civic education, and other areas.
- Supervise the daily activities of assigned staff, including on-the-job training, setting priorities, quality control, and assuring that all work is completed in a timely manner.
- Ensure that all grant agreements, amendments, and other actions of the lower level staff are done effectively, efficiently, and consistent with department policies and procedures.
- Monitor all phases of the grant life cycle and workloads of assigned grant staff.
- Mentor and supervise staff in ensuring grantee compliance with legal requirements, federal grants, and providing appropriate guidance on interpreting US Government rules and regulations and Endowment policies and procedures.
- Resolve findings of grantee financial or Single Program audits.
- Assist in developing policies and procedures related to grant administration.
- Develop greater regional collaboration on specific grants management topics or country-specific issues, including through conferences and other meetings.
- Responsible for a portion of a country/regional grant portfolio (as needed to equalize workload of lower-level staff).
- Approve grantee financial reports, payment requests, and supervise resolution of invoice review findings.
- Occasional travel to deepen understanding of grantee experience; monitor grantee compliance; educate grantees on NED procedures and grants administration; and orient junior staff to field work.
- Coordinate with peer colleagues to share experiences and ensure consistency of approach.
- Represent NED at conferences and other related events.
- Review job applications, interview, and recommend selection of new grants staff in a timely manner
- Conduct performance reviews of direct reports.
- Serve as problem-solving resource for grantmaking staff for country/region. Strengthen problem-solving skills and troubleshoot issues with Regional Program, Compliance, and Grantmaking Resource Center (GRC).
- Develop and deliver training for grantmaking staff.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
- 8+ years of experience with grant management, with emphasis on international programs.
- 5 years of working with federally funded grant awards.
- Demonstrated experience managing a team.
- Experience with Microsoft Office.
- Knowledge of grant management software (Salesforce, GovGrants, Gifts for Windows).
- Thorough knowledge of relevant OMB Circulars, NED governance documents, and the special conditions surrounding NED’s grantmaking with federal funds as a private entity.
- Thorough knowledge and experience in the rules, regulations and procedures of US Government grants including 2 CFR 200. US Department of State experience desirable.
- Russian language proficiency preferred and familiarity with the Eurasia region.
- Familiarity with international activities/issues relevant to NED’s operating environment.
- Strong management and leadership skills including organization, planning, time and project management skills, as well as the ability to oversee effective workflow process and procedures.
- Ability to effectively supervise and motivate staff, including monitoring workloads, quality assurance, setting goals, performance evaluations, and personnel issues.
- Solid judgment in recommendations for hiring decisions.
- Ability to analyze abstract ideas, assess alternative approaches and then to develop and implement an appropriate course of action.
- Ability to interact effectively with many diverse individuals across various departments.
- Ability to travel internationally on an occasional basis.
- Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to maintain professionalism under pressure.
- Must be able to work both independently and as a team member.
- Authorized to work in the United States.
To Apply:
Applications must include a cover letter, resume, desired salary, and contact information for three professional references, of which one should be a supervisor. Please, no phone call inquiries.
The NED is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics covered by applicable law. The NED is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for all qualified individuals and bases all employment decisions on qualifications, merit, and business need. The NED believes that diversity and inclusion amongst our team members are critical to our success as an organization operating globally and seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
For more information, please visit our website at http://www.ned.org/careers or careers@ned.org.
