EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC) is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms. Established in 1958, EDC designs, delivers and evaluates innovative programs to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges in education, health, and economic opportunity. Our services include research, training, educational materials, and strategy, with activities ranging from seed projects to large-scale national and international initiatives.

Project Description
Opportunity 2.0, funded by USAID, will strengthen second-chance education programs for vulnerable out-of-school youth in the Philippines. Opportunity 2.0 will collaborate and work with national and local systems supporting youth in order to provide 180,000 youth with the skills and opportunities to improve their education, employment, and livelihood outcomes.  

Achieving this vision will require a multi-faceted, systems-strengthening approach that aligns the formal education system, markets, and youth “sub-systems” at the regional levels. This will be achieved by providing experienced project personnel embedded in government departments; further aligning the input of technical assistance; and maximizing opportunities to bring together the respective stakeholders to identify and refine synergies and transition pathways for youth, particularly between Department of Education (DepEd)’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) program and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). 

Position Description
The Grants Officer will coordinate and support the administration (from the call for application stage to the end of the life of the grant) of all grant awards under Opportunity 2.0 program. The Grants Officer will report to the Grants Manager in Manila and will ensure effective and efficient grant making processes. In coordination with the Grants Manager, s/he is responsible for ensuring the preparation, implementation, monitoring, and completion of project accompaniment local grants and grants to higher education institutions, ensuring compliance with the financial management, reporting, and accountability requirements of USAID and EDC. The Grants Officer will implement the component based on the EDC Grant Manual and the process for the project's grant program in compliance with USAID regulations.  

Essential Functions
The Grants Officer’s specific responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Support the Grants Manager in the administration of the Opportunity 2.0 grants program, ensuring compliance with EDC and USAID guidelines
- Participate in site visits of current and future grantees, evaluating usage of grant funds and administrative areas to determine level of risk; provide recommendations to grant execution based on assessment.
- In consultation with the Grants Manager, provide direction and guidance to Grantees on fund management and control, as needed.
- Support the Grants Manager in the conduct of post-award orientation meetings with the grantees to ensure that all terms/conditions of the contract /grant were understood.
- In coordination with the Grants Manager, perform periodic evaluations in order to review compliance with grant requirements and EDC/USAID regulations. Detect and resolve implementation problems.
- Support the Finance Manager and Grants Manager in the administration and oversight of grant expenditures in accordance with EDC and USAID guidelines.
- Maintain good reporting processes for all grants, reporting any grants pipeline issues to management on a monthly basis.
- Monitor milestone table budget to ensure project expenditures versus milestones and milestone means of verification.
- Collect progress reports on the implementation of milestone activities.
- Assist with tracking costs of grants
- Maintain and update a detailed grants status calendar and grants  filing system (physical & electronic)
- Ensure EDC compliance with government requirements
- Ensure the proper presentation and safekeeping of accurate and complete supporting information for audit purposes
- Assist in the preparation of all supporting information for audits and contacting finance and accounting staff as needed
- Guarantee the reliability and integrity of supporting documentation and reports
- Understand the terms of the USAID grant, specifically the expected results of the project, and ensure compliance with the requirements.

Education
A Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of directly relevant experience required.

Skills and Experience
- At least 5 years of relevant work experience in a similar position 
- Familiarity with USAID regulations
- Strong writing and editing skills
- Proficiency in Excel and MS Word
- Experience in budget review and monitoring with development projects, desirable with USAID funds
- Experience in budget analysis and cost controls in development projects 
- Demonstrated capacity to work effectively with teams
- Excellent people skills at all levels, cultural sensitivity, ability to work well under pressure, negotiate diplomatically, and the ability to work well in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary work environment 
- Excellent oral communication skills in Filipino and oral and written communication skills in English
- Ability to prepare presentations and reports 
- Willingness to work and travel in all project areas

Language
Fluency in Filipino and English.

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified.  No phone calls, please.

EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring a highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits.