EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

EDC is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms. EDC designs, implements, and evaluates programs to improve education, health, and economic opportunity worldwide. Collaborating with both public and private partners, we strive for a world where all people are empowered to live healthy, productive lives.

EDC’s approach to equity, diversity, and inclusion is grounded in EDC’s commitment to respect the dignity of each individual. EDC has a commitment to promoting equity and access to high quality education and health services that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. EDC expresses its commitment to increasing equity through its strategies, services and products, which contribute to building capacity and transforming lives.

EDC is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.  

We are looking for candidates who share EDC’s commitment and understand the importance of cultural responsiveness in today’s context.  

Project Description 

USAID’s Tisamale Mabuku Project (TMP) activates the role of communities and civil society in the management and utilization of National Reading Program (NRP) Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM) and works with Ministry of Education (MoE) system stakeholders at all levels to strengthen TLM provision and use through community engagement, social accountability and collaborative governance. EDC and its team of Malawian civil society partners work with school community management groups, including School Management Committees (SMCs), Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), and Mothers Groups (MGs), district-based MoE staff and Civil Society organizations to co-create sustainable solutions for improved TLM management, replenishment, and use that are owned by participants and reflect local contexts.  

Position Description 

The Grants Manager will manage the Activity Grants Program and ensure that it runs efficiently and transparently in coordination with technical and finance staff and project leaders.  Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, grant strategy development, workplan development, development of grant solicitations, including presentations and training, tracking and review of applications, grant applicant risk assessments, selection of and communication to grantees, grantee orientation and training, grantee performance monitoring and financial management and coordination with TMP consortium partners and EDC home office staff regarding grants.  The Grants Manager will report to the Director of Finance and Operations.  

Essential functions include, but are not limited to:  

• Ensure the grants program complies with all EDC and USAID rules, regulations and policies; 
• Develop the grant strategy and selection criteria in consultation with COP, DCOP, Director of Finance and Operations, senior technical advisors, consortium partners and USAID; 
• Develop grants program work plan with partners; 
• Direct the competitive Request for Application (RFA) processes, including the development of the RFA document relevant for the context and providing oversight of the review of grant applications and selection of grantees; 
• Conduct and/participate in pre-RFA meetings or conferences as applicable; 
• Ensure that risk assessments are performed for each grantee and that results are incorporated into the grant; 
• Prepare grant agreements and coordinate with the Director of Finance and Operations and EDC headquarters on related matters as well as relevant partners; 
• Support the budgetary review of grantees for any modification or extension of the grant agreement; 
• Monitor workplans and review grantee activity reports, deliverables, and expenses, and supporting documentation;  
• Supervise the timely disbursement of funds to be paid to grantees in accordance with the terms of the grant; 
• Review grant modification applications and prepare grant modifications once approved; 
• Conduct field visits as well as audits with responsible partners to monitor grant compliance in relation to the terms and conditions of the grant agreement and recommend corrective actions, as necessary; 
• Participate in the revision of the annual work plan and coordinate with grantees to revise the work plan and budget as necessary;  
• Maintain with partners a detailed grants status calendar and grants electronic filing system.  

Education:  

Master’s degree is required.  

Skills and Experience:  

• A minimum of 7 to 8 years of progressively responsible and directly relevant experience in similar positions; 
• Knowledge of USAID regulations; 
• Proficiency in advanced Excel and MS Word;   
• Experience in project budget review and monitoring and cost controls; 
• Excellent social skills at all levels, cultural sensitivity, ability to work under pressure and with a team, negotiate diplomatically, and the ability to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary work environment; 
• Ability to prepare and conduct presentations.  

Language:  

Fluency English and Chichewa is required. 

Job closing date: November 15, 2024 

To apply, applicants are required to apply via SmartRecruiters:  

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

EDC is committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.