Regional Grants and Contracts Director, Africa and Asia Pacific at Conservation International

Conservation International is seeking an experienced professional to provide oversight for field office grants and contracts. Reporting to the Vice President of Grants and Contracts, the Regional Grants and Contracts Director will be a critical partner to CI’s country programs, serving as a technical expert and providing oversight to the region while also identifying improvements and building capacity. The Director will be a critical partner to the region, interacting with field offices and all levels of staff to promote dialogue, learn, listen, and bring support and solutions. This Africa/Asia Pacific position may be based in CI’s offices in Kenya or the Philippines.

The Regional Grants and Contracts Director contributes to establishing practices, reviews, guidance, dialogue, and other actions to ensure operational excellence in grants and contracts management in CI field programs. The Director has primary responsibility for identifying compliance risks within the region and partnering with the country programs for resolution. The position will build capacity and mentor existing staff in grants and contracts management, while also providing direct intervention assistance to grants and contracts selection and management for select programs.

The Director provides technical procurement expertise on policies, procedures, systems, documentation, and standards to assist internal and external stakeholders undertaking procurement planning, development, sourcing, and management. The role educates CI staff and sub-grantees on procurement integrity and provides assistance in interpreting, applying, and ensuring compliance with donor obligation, organizational policies, and industry best practices. In addition, this position will be directly involved with conducting procurement of consultants for select field offices, providing direct assistance to field programs in the drafting of procurement documents and selection processes, ensuring strong systems are in place to manage and monitor contracts for goods and services and providing high-quality training to staff and sub-grantees. The position also has responsibility for grant-making operations, matters relating to grantee risk management and compliance, and stewardship of donor funds.

The successful candidate will embrace CI’s values of integrity, courage, optimism, respect, teamwork, and passion and will a collaborative and solution-oriented mindset to their work. This position requires a person with creativity, flexibility, and a positive attitude to manage the growing needs generated by expanding and emerging funding initiatives and responding timely to urgent requests and changing priorities.  

RESPONSIBILITIES

• For lower volume field offices or offices that do not have dedicated grants or contracts staff, lead or support the evaluation, selection, and pre-award process for grant awards and the solicitation, selection and contracting process. support the operations staff to review financial reports, project audits, and troubleshoot issues of non-compliance Conduct Site Visits on behalf of field and global programs as needed. 
• For higher volume offices, participate in and review the high value-high risk grant awards and procurements and advise Operations Directors on modifications to the process needed based on CI or donor policy requirements. 
• Work with CI offices to identify and address weaknesses in proposed or existing grantee’s administrative and financial management systems and practices, developing a plan for addressing these capacity gaps before and during the grant award. Oversee or implement mandatory new grantee orientation for all new grants awarded. 
• Identify training needs for existing field staff. Establish a training tracking system and schedule. Support the training and onboarding for all new grants/contracts/procurement staff hired in the field + technical staff with involvement in grants/contracts/procurement. Conduct donor-specific requirement training for the programs.
• Standardize the job descriptions of grants and contracts staff in the field, adapting these requirements to the context of each country, and building capacity when needed to allow that the function is exercised with the same level of efficiency. 
• Facilitate the creation of peer-to-peer mentoring relationships of staff in the subject area across the region and identify high performers to cross-train staff in their own offices and other offices across the region.
• Collaborate with Finance to refine protocols for assessing and identifying portfolio risks for high risk/high profile contracts, grants, and donors. Follow established escalation procedures when identified risks cannot be mitigated.
• Conduct regular review and site assessment for grants awarded to Government partners. Compile observations, findings, and convene key stakeholders for discussion and decision-making when necessary.
• Serve as technical expert and trainer for CI financial and grants management systems

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree, preferably in a finance-related field.
• 7 years of experience in a not-for-profit setting working in grants, procurement, or finance.
• Experience with the US government and/or multi-lateral donor rules and regulations applicable to sub-grants and sub-contracts
• Experience in a matrix management environment
• Experience mentoring or training staff or implementing partners
• Excellent communication skills and persuasiveness in presenting, negotiating, influencing, and resolving highly complex issues, both orally and in writing.
• Strong computer skills including intermediate Excel, familiarity with databases, and cloud-based document management systems and collaboration tools.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in written and oral Spanish and/or French

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This Africa/Asia Pacific position may be based in CI’s offices in Kenya or the Philippines.
• The position may require extensive international travel within the region when safe and secure international travel resumes.
• The position requires the ability to work non-traditional and extended hours to support a global workforce in multiple time zones.