ISN/ECC - Grants Management Specialist
Company: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Office of Export Control Cooperation (ISN/ECC)
Location: Washington, D.C. 20520
Industries: Government
Job Type: Full Time, Personal Service Contractor (PSC), Non-Permanent
Years of Experience: 5+ Years
Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent Experience
Career Level: Mid Level; Experienced (Non-Manager)
Salary: $ 99,200 to $ 153,354 (GS 12/1 to GS 13/10)
Promotion Potential (Y/N & GS Equivalent): Yes – 13
Job Reference Code: EXBS
Number of Positions: Multiple
Security Clearance Level: Secret
Duty Location: Washington, D.C.
Travel Required (Y/N & Percentage): No
Remote (Y/N): No
Telework Eligible (Y/N & Details): Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
NOTE: If you are a DoS PSC employee who currently works at a remote work location (i.e., full-time telework), your approval for remote work does not transfer to this position.
Grants Management Specialist (Mid Level) - Personal Services Contract
Overview:
The Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) Program promotes cooperation with foreign governments to ensure their strategic trade control systems meet international standards, and to help build partner countries’ capabilities to detect, interdict, investigate, and prosecute illicit transfers of weapons of mass destruction, dual use components, conventional arms, and explosives.
Job Description:
THIS IS A NON-PERMANENT POSITION. YOU DO NOT ACQUIRE COMPETITIVE OR EXCEPTED SERVICE STATUS FROM THIS POSITION.
The U.S. Department of State’s Office of Export Control Cooperation (ECC) in Washington, DC, is seeking a Grants Management Specialist to assist with the management of foreign assistance activities in support of Export Control and Related Border Security Program (EXBS). The Grants Management Specialist is assigned to the Financial Management Team (FMT) and supports the implementation and management of grant activities. This position is responsible for facilitating and monitoring the planning, funding, and delivery of EXBS program activities[AR1] , as well as tracking and compiling all financial data associated with global program implementation. The position works with other FMT members and leadership to successfully manage the ISN/ECC's grants portfolio.
Essential Functions for the selected individual(s) will focus on the following areas:
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Facilitate implementation and management of federal grants and cooperative agreements. Negotiate and conclude financial assistance awards or instruments involving appropriated funds to private and public sector organizations and public international organizations in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations. Provide advice on the mechanisms to develop agreements for moderate to highly specialized and complex activities including research. Resolve conflicts regarding terms and conditions, intellectual property rights, cost-sharing provisions, and proprietary information provisions.
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Serve as Grants Officer Representative for Department of State grants and cooperative agreements.
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Administer agreements during the pre-award, active, closeout and auditing stages and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. Work closely with FMT and ECC Leadership and other Department entities throughout the award process to ensure the ultimate transaction will accomplish the intended programmatic mission and continue such effort throughout closeout. Monitor all awards ensuring compliance with terms and conditions of grant agreements and applicable federal regulations, instituting and monitoring corrective action plans, as needed.
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Prepare complex awards in accordance with 2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 600, DoS policies and procedures. Evaluate financial conditions and business integrity of grants and applicants. Perform cost/price analysis, modify/amend, and closeout awards as necessary. Evaluate business proposals submitted by potential grantees, providing guidance to other ISN/ECC evaluators. Facilitate a technical and merit review process that conforms to all relevant requirements, and provide all necessary documentation needed to process an award.
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In coordination with the Grants Officer, interpret the impact of changes in applicable laws and regulations in the grants administration process. Identify and resolve problems. Ensure award actions meet both the legal and supervisory review requirements.
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Implement policies and procedures in accordance with applicable regulations and guidance. Serve as Point of Contact and Program Office's Liaison to DoS staff, external customers, and recipients, for interpretation of these policies and procedures. Research and provide grants policy guidance and advice to Bureau staff, Grants Officer Representatives (GOR), grantees, and overseas embassy personnel. Ensure that current, accurate, and complete data is entered into electronic data systems, as applicable. Analyze and integrate grants program data into reports for workload management, financial, technical, federal assistance, and scheduling information used by Bureau management. Participate, as needed, in process improvement teams, peer reviews of financial assistance actions, and performs collateral duty assignments.
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Provide full spectrum of technical support to FMT leadership relating to financial and grant administration.
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Monitor active grant project reviewing and validating official grant documentation to ensure compliance with all legal and administrative requirements. Draft official correspondence and formal documentation for approval. Prepare grant documentation for signature. Ensure all grant files are adequately documented in accordance with all legal and administrative requirements.
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Independently work with ISN/ECC regional and functional Program Managers to create obligation strategies appropriately tailored to specific program activities and longterm foreign policy objectives DoS and the United States.
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Work with regional and functional Program Managers to assist with drafting grant solicitations. Provide guidance as needed to ensure programmatic needs are adequately defined. Ensure government interests are protected, and legal/regulatory requirements are satisfied.
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Work with various financial systems, including but not limited to, Global Financial Management System (GFMS) and Payment Management System (PMS) to process requests and verify expenditures and unliquidated obligations data.
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Ensure all management activities occur within required timelines to meet critical funding milestones. Monitor unliquidated funds ensuring they are fully expended prior to expiration, including proactively taking action to reprogram and/or de-obligated at the end of the period of performance.
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Conduct final reviews of completed awards. Coordinate with the Grants Officer Representative with the preparation of all required documentation for closeout of grants.
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Distribute information internally to achieve program management synergy, including quarterly report data relevant to the interagency calendar, development of country budget requests, and obligation of funds.
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Prepare and deliver presentations on the lifecycle of grant awards, status of grant funding, and grant management procedures to internal and external stakeholders. Independently perform and prepare presentation on various research and briefing of reporting tasker.
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Other duties as required.
Qualifications:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-12: You must have at least one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service and industry standards. At the GS-12 level, the incumbent performs essentially the same duties as outlined above. However, the scope and complexity of assignments are of less responsibility and independence and receives closer than normal supervision than the GS-13 level. Specialized experience for this position includes:
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Managing financial assistance actions.; AND
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Analyzing grants applications including making assessments of a prospective awardee's eligibility and financial viability.; AND
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Negotiating, administering, and closing out the resultant awards upon completion.
NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-12 level.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-13: You must have at least one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service and industry standards. Specialized experience for this position includes:
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Ability to make recommendations for financial assistance management projects or activities; AND
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Analyzing grants applications including making assessments of a prospective awardee's eligibility and financial viability; AND
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Negotiating, administering, and closing out the resultant awards upon completion; AND
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Interacting with high-level contacts such as Program Directors, legal counsel, patent counsel, and prospective awardees concerning the evaluation of grant and cooperative agreements.
NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-13 level.
Required:
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Bachelor’s degree in a relative field plus five (5) years or more of professional experience;
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Understanding of foreign assistance obligations processes;
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Must be a U.S. citizen and have the ability to obtain a security clearance (Secret Clearance is the minimum requirement);
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Incumbent may be subject to random drug testing;
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Flexible and adaptive to shifting requirements;
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Demonstrated expertise of financial and grant administration specific knowledge;
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Ability to advise on grants management principles, procedures, policies, and strategies;
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Working knowledge of various grant and cooperative agreement types, techniques, and methods of providing assistance;
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Working knowledge of financial management, planning, programming, and budget execution procedures, including financial and payment management systems;
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Skill in applying cost and price analysis techniques to evaluate grants budget categories;
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Recent working experience utilizing continuous system analytical skills for efficient and timely financial reporting and utilization of acquired data;
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Skill in preparing and presenting briefings, reports and analysis;
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Ability to perform document review and demonstrate attention to detail;
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Proven analytical, problem-solving, and conceptual thinking skills; strong organizational skills;
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Ability to operate effectively in a group environment and resolve issues in a constructive, collegial manner;
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Experience in serving customers and building successful teams and coalitions within and outside the organization;
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Strong interpersonal, writing, and oral presentation skills;
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Ability to work independently and manage a high-volume workflow.
Desired:
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PMP certification or demonstrated project management experience;
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Prior experience as a Grant Officer's Representative or Grant Officer overseeing the performance of U.S. government grantees, with a working knowledge of DoS organizational structure and familiarity with foreign assistance programs;
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Knowledge and recent working experience with Global Financial Management System (GFMS), Payment Management System (PMS), and MyGrants;
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Familiarity with the strategic trade control and border security domain;
Benefits
Annual & Sick Leave
The individual selected will earn annual and sick leave in accordance with OPM regulations. The employee will be paid for federal holidays that fall within their regularly scheduled tour of duty. Those entering on duty with prior military service and/or federal civilian service can credit their years of service for higher annual leave accrual rates.
Health & Life Insurance Reimbursement
Personal Services Contractor may be provided a maximum of up to seventy-two percent (72%) against actual costs of their annual health and life insurance premiums. Eligibility for reimbursement requires evidence of enrollment in a qualifying health insurance plan and proof of actual payment of the associated health insurance premiums.
Relocation Assistance Available:
None
Additional Information:
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Diversity and Inclusion: The EXBS Program works to recruit, retain, develop, empower, and promote employees from diverse backgrounds at all levels. A team with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, including in leadership positions, is crucial to achieving the mission of the EXBS Program.
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New employees to the Department of State will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify
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Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
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All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
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EEO Policy: USAJOBS Help Center - Equal employment opportunity policy
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Reasonable Accommodation Policy: USAJOBS Help Center - Reasonable accommodation policy
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Veterans Information: USAJOBS Help Center - Veterans
How to Apply:
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Please submit the following as single attachment:
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Cover letter
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Resume
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A list of at least three professional references
Failure to submit a complete package may disqualify the applicant from consideration.
Applicants will be evaluated against the requirements outlined in this announcement, so your resume and cover letter should demonstrate that you meet the required qualifications above to undertake this position. Your references will only be contacted after your permission following an interview. You may also be asked to provide a writing sample.
State/ISN/ECC expects to screen and interview candidates within 14 days of close of announcement. ONLY APPLICANTS SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED. Offers of employment will be dependent on ability to obtain security clearance through the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security bureau, as well as a medical clearance through State/MED.
There may be unanticipated vacancies that occur during the period of this job posting or soon after its close. Candidates that apply to this announcement will also be provided the same consideration for these vacancies.
Note: This is a Personal Services Contract (PSC). This is NOT a federal direct-hire position.
Vacancy announcement will close at midnight, July 8, 2024.