DT Global works in partnership with communities, governments, and the private sector to deliver innovative solutions that transform lives. DT Global - launched in 2019 - is built on legacy companies AECOM’s International Development Services Sector, Development Transformations, IMC Worldwide, and Cardno International Development. To fulfill its profit-for-purpose mission, DT Global is a key donor to the DT Institute, an independent not-for-profit organization, in support of DTI’s efforts to test new ideas or expand on donor partner priorities to improve as many lives as possible.
Our global team of 2,500 staff and experts work in over 90 countries. We bring over 60 years of experience, relationships, and technical excellence to improve lives on behalf of our partners, clients, and stakeholders. We aim to maximize sustainable development impact across a wide range of practice areas, including Conflict Prevention, Stabilization & Transition; Economic Growth; Environment & Infrastructure; Governance; and Human Development. Together, we aim to positively impact 500 million lives by 2045.
USAID in Sri Lanka:
To strengthen democratic governance, USAID partners with the people of Sri Lanka to improve the responsiveness of government institutions and increases informed public participation in governance processes. Responding to good governance and vulnerable population needs, USAID activities build a robust civil society; increase access to balanced, accurate information through the media; promote dialogue, conflict mitigation, and social cohesion among multi-ethnic communities; and build local capacity for disaster response and risk reduction.
Project Background:
DT Global seeks applicants for a USAID-funded, Colombo-based civic engagement program. The program will primarily focus on providing small grants to expand the range of civil society actors that have a voice in national reform processes, support advocacy for democratic values and accountable governance, and promote opportunities for constructive citizen participation in governance issues. The program will support collaboration between Sri Lankan civil society organizations (CSOs) and CSO-led networks to engage proactively and constructively on issues related to political and governance reforms, raise awareness of the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and engage with the government on key reform issues.
Position Summary:
The Grants Specialist (GS) supports the development, implementation and closeout of all grant activities in accordance with USAID regulations and with DT Global’s policies and procedures. The GS is responsible for ensuring compliance requirements are adhered to throughout the life of each grant activity in regards to different elements relevant to program achievement and USAID regulations, such as due diligence, grantee vetting, environmental compliance, timely submission of grantee deliverables, in addition to budget development and proper financial oversight. The GS is key in facilitating coordination with others within the program to secure the timely and proper development, implementation and closeout of grant activities.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- During idea development, support program teams in addressing potential compliance challenges as they emerge in terms of activity design, budgeting and overall activity development
- Lead the development of budgets for individual activities to be implemented – inclusive of conducting market surveys, identifying all items required for successful implementation and liaising with the procurement and logistics teams to identify all costs
- Oversee activity implementation, regularly review expenses against budgets to ensure that all costs are being tracked properly and that all required items are being purchased as planned; check expenses against budget at the conclusion of the activity to ensure all expenses are accounted for prior to closing activities
- Regularly liaise with the procurement and logistics offices to ensure all documentation is being completed correctly, and to ensure that procurements and delivery of goods to grantees are moving forward appropriately
- In collaboration with the program team, coordinate the execution of kick-off meeting with grantees to cover all the practical details of the implementation of the grant
- Responsible for completing (or delegating) all activity documentation such as grant agreements, transfer of titles, activity close out forms
- Regular travel to field sites to support activity development, implementation and closedown
- Working with the grantees and the program team, ensure that all necessary permits and/or authorizations to implement the activity are obtained as necessary
- Responsible for (or delegation of) submitted cash advance requests, managing cash payments and liquidation of advances necessary to implement activities
- In coordination with the MEL team, support the execution of M&E tasks – including taking photos, collecting attendance sheets, conducting focus group discussions or key informant interviews
- Ensure all items are properly documented and stored in the corresponding activity files
- Ensure that procurement, finance, logistics, and programmatic aspects of each activity is being implemented on-time and in accordance with the approved activity and budget, along with USAID rules and regulations
- Contribute to the development of weekly activity notes, and any reports required for your region of work
- Assist in development of annual strategies, and in individual grant development while following key do no harm principles.
- Supervise and mentor a Grants Assistant
- Other tasks as assigned by supervisor.
Education and certifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is preferred.
Key Position Competencies and Experience:
- Minimum four years of experience in the management and administration of grants and/or donor-funded projects, such as activity management, financial management, procurement, and/or sub-contracting. Experience with NGOs and/or community-based organizations is preferred.
- Strong management and administrative skills, and demonstrated experience managing grants, preferably both cash and in-kind.
- Demonstrated experience in grant management focused on ensuring that procurement, finance, logistics, and programmatic aspects are being implemented on-time and in accordance with the specifications of the approved activity.
- Familiarity with USAID contract and grants management policies and procedures is desirable, but experience with other donor funded projects will be accepted.
- Ability/willingness to travel throughout the country on a regular basis.
- Ability to work in a professional and cordial manner with fellow staff members, visitors, and partner institutions including international and local NGOs, governmental entities, support organizations, and the general public.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, to prioritize multiple work assignments in an extremely fast-paced environment, to meet deadlines, and to exercise good, professional judgment that reflects positively on the image and communicates the established program message.
- Ability to effectively use computer software including MS Word and Excel.
- Fluent written and spoken English required and Sinhala or Tamil preferred.
- Position open to Sri Lanka nationals only
DT Global Core Competencies:
- Teamwork: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals. Participates in building a culture characterized by inclusion, trust, and commitment
- Communication: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts professionally Demonstrates effective use of skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts
- Adaptability: Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment
- Customer/Client Focused: Anticipates, monitors, and meets the needs of customers and responds to them in an appropriate and responsive manner
- Diversity & Inclusion: Conveys respect for diverse individuals and perspectives; models inclusive behavior and treats everyone fairly
- Professionalism: Displays appropriate and ethical behavior, integrity, and personal presentation in the workplace always; demonstrates respectful communication for others, both verbal and non-verbal
DT Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or national origin. DT Global prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant.
