USAID MISRA is looking for a Grants and Procurement Specialist

USAID Moldova Institutional and Structural Reforms Activity Program (MISRA)

SCOPE OF WORK                  

Position:                                  Grants and Procurement Specialist

Program:                                 USAID Moldova Institutional and Structural Reforms Activity Program

Location:                                 Chisinau, Moldova

Published:                                April 18, 2024

Period of Performance:           June 2024 – April 2027 (one year renewable)

Nathan Associates LLC, a Cadmus Company, is a private international economic and analytics consulting firm that works with government and commercial clients around the globe to deliver practical solutions and achieve lasting results. Whether building frameworks for economic growth or navigating regulatory hurdles, securing infrastructure financing or evaluating and assessing disputes, Nathan’s experts serve as trusted partners, offering clients the analysis, technical advice, and strategies they need for sound decision-making. Known for both technical and service excellence, Nathan has corporate offices in the US, UK, and India and more than 25 program offices around the world. 

Project Background: 

The USAID Moldova Institutional and Structural Reforms Activity (MISRA) seeks to support Moldova’s economic recovery, advance the Government of Moldova’s economic action plan, strengthen public economic governance institutions, improve the trade and investment enabling environment, and accelerate financial sector reforms and inclusiveness. These activities include active engagement with government counterparts, local business and organizations, and the financial sector to facilitate public-private dialogue and strategic communications. 

 Responsibilities and Tasks

The Grants and Procurement Specialist will be responsible for the following, but not limited to:

Support implementation of the grants-under-contract component:

• Work with project team to publicize grants solicitations to ensure competitive grant-making process;
• Manage grant evaluation, award, and post-award monitoring, assessing prospective grantees’ ability to handle grants ahead of award;
• Support revision/editing of applicant’s proposals and review budget estimates for allowable costs, reasonableness, and consistency;
• Conduct pre-award risk determination and draft the grant approval documentation;
• Prepare grant agreements and ensure documentation is complete and recorded;
• Supervise, support and direct grantees during implementation, focusing on finance, procurement, and compliance;
• Ensure grantee and project compliance with USAID regulations and any special award conditions;
• Conduct site visits of grantees, as necessary;
• Prepare cost and no-cost amendments to grant agreements as necessary;
• Audit grantees for compliance and escalating grants and procurement irregularities to the Director of Program Operations, as necessary;
• Oversee grant completion and closeout;
• Track grant fund during implementation on a monthly basis, cumulatively and by grantee;
• Assist with grants reporting to USAID.

Support implementation of project activities via acquisitions:

• Ensure and perform timely competitive procurements for goods and services required for program implementation in compliance with USAID regulations and Nathan policies and procedures;
• Work with program staff in development of the requests for proposals (RFPs) and request for quotations (RFQs) for a proper competitive procurement processes;
• Work with program team members, as needed, to identify potential subcontractors and vendors for publicizing and distributing RFPs and RFQs; 
• Manage procurement evaluation and award, with the procurement process duly documented;
• Prepare purchase order agreements and other procurement agreements, amendments as necessary, and ensure documentation is complete;
• Manage awarded agreements and ensure receipt of deliverables and compliant completion as per the agreement terms;

• Ensure the tracking system for procurement processes and awards up-to-date;
• Identify potential vendors, develop and maintain a program’s database of potential vendors;
• Conduct desk research and market analysis for goods and services as need be;
• Anticipate any difficulties and report any breaches in procurement to the Director of Program Operations.

Perform other tasks assigned by the Director of Program Operations that are consistent with this Scope of Work and the general requirements of the project.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

N/A

 Reporting:

The Grant and Procurement Specialist will report to the Director of Program Operations.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in international development, finance, economics or a related field required. Masters preferred;
• At least three (3) years of experience in procurement or grants management for internationally funded development programs;
• Strong knowledge of procurement and grant principles;
• Demonstrated experience and skills in budget preparation and analysis;
• Demonstrated ability to build grantee and project staff capacity for grants management and to monitor their performance;
• Proven capability to work collaboratively in a multi-cultural business environment; and
• Fluency in English and Romanian.

Desired Skills and Qualifications (if applicable):

• Knowledge of the regulations governing USAID grants under contract;
• Experience working with USAID development projects in procurement or grants specialist capacity.

 How to apply:

If you meet all the minimum requirements above and you would like to apply for this position, send a cover letter (one page maximum) and a CV (two pages maximum) to Moldovajobs@nathaninc.com with “Applying for Grants and Procurement Specialist” in the subject line. Please apply by May 3, 2024. If applying to multiple positions, please send a separate email for each position. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and invited for test/interview.