Solidarity Center

Please Note: Solidarity Center staff enjoy a hybrid telework/in-person schedule. We also have a mandatory vaccine policy and safety protocols in all our facilities. All candidates applying for this role will be expected to adhere to these policies and to work in the Washington, D.C. office a minimum of three days per week unless an ADA or health-related exemption is approved.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Deadline: Until filled

Summary: 

Solidarity Center is seeking an experienced grant manager to serve as an Award Specialist (Professional Level III) in its Program Quality, Learning and Compliance (PQLC) department. This team provides cradle-to-grave management of awards and support to programs through its three areas of expertise: 1) proposal development; 2) award management and compliance; and 3) monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL). The Award Specialist provides program teams with expertise in grant management and compliance for an assigned portfolio of funders, including the U.S. Department of State (DOS), the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), and private foundations.

Key Responsibilities:

 

Donor Relations: 

• In conjunction with PQLC management, serves as liaison with donors on award management and compliance for assigned awards
• Coordinates with Sr Award Specialist on the submission of NED proposals and reports, and participates in related meetings with the NED (e.g., informal proposal reviews, cumulative assessment debriefs)
• Coordinates and schedules the SC’s participation in the NED annual planning meetings

 

Award Administration: 

• Collaborates and interacts regularly with program teams for assigned award portfolio to ensure compliance with award terms and conditions, and coordinates with PQLC staff (i.e., senior award/financial/MEL specialists) on award administration issues
• Provides support to program staff on daily project troubleshooting, including notification/update, prior approval, procurement, reprogramming/project revision or extension requirements, and on donor regulations and award-specific requirements for assigned portfolio
• Facilitates internal review of foundation awards and amendments, coordinates feedback for submission to donors and identifies terms and conditions that may require negotiation by PQLC management and/or the establishment of different processes or systems for compliance
• Tracks, reviews and edits project deliverables for assigned portfolio of projects, including proposals, cumulative/interim assessments, workplans and/or narrative reports, for clarity, grammar, compliance and professionalism, and ensures their timely submittal to donors
• In coordination with PQLC management and the Senior Award Specialists, reviews, edits and submits award-related communications to donors, including notifications/updates and prior approval requests, for assigned portfolio of projects
• Serves as internal award administration point of contact with SC’s Lead Development Officer on foundations, reviewing proposals/reports, tracking deliverables and award-specific requirements, and providing guidance and support on award management and compliance, as needed
• Coordinates the concept note and proposal submission processes for the DOS Fundamental Freedom Fund, including facilitating meetings with the donor, prime recipient and/or consortium members as needed, shares FFF partner documents with program staff and coordinates responses

 

General

• Ensures PQLC files are up to date for assigned portfolio of awards
• Provides award administration support to PQLC management and the Senior Award Specialists for the global awards
• Participates in and contributes to regular PQLC meetings
  

 

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration or a related field; Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of 7 years of award management and compliance experience with international organizations, with at least 3 years of experience administering awards from Federal agencies, preferably DOS, and awards from foundations; familiarity with NED awards and processes preferred
• Expertise in award management and compliance, with demonstrated knowledge of 2 CFR 200, donor-specific requirements and other applicable Federal laws and regulations
• Familiarity with programs related to worker and human rights, civil society strengthening, equality and inclusion, labor migration and human trafficking, safety and health, trade union strengthening and/or informal economy preferred
• Fluency in English (written and verbal)
• Strong grammar and written communication skills, as well as experience editing or writing proposals, reports or other technical documents
• Experience providing guidance and support to staff on donor regulations and proposal/report writing
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task and adapt to changing work priorities, particularly during high volume periods
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact and collaborate with field-based and HQ-based staff
• Ability to perform detailed work with a high level of accuracy and to meet deadlines
• Ability to work both as a collaborative team member as well as independently

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

This is a collective bargaining unit position, generously compensated with a gross annual salary starting at approximately $85,458 USD with a range up to more than $95,000 based on experience. A robust benefits package includes fully paid health insurance, a retirement plan and pension, life insurance, and ample paid time off for holidays, vacation, and medical leave. Pre-tax deduction programs are also available for commuting, dependent care, and health care expenses. In addition, we offer opportunities and funds for professional development.

The Solidarity Center cultivates the values of diversity, equality, and inclusion among its staff and partners. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable law. Candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. If you are a candidate with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to apply for this position, please contact us at information@solidaritycenter.org.

For Candidates Applying from the AFL-CIO: Please be advised that we will inform the AFL-CIO when any of its current employees apply for positions with Solidarity Center. This notification is a matter of policy for all candidates, regardless of each individual’s qualifications and competitiveness for a specific opportunity.

About us

The Solidarity Center is the largest U.S.-based international worker rights organization helping workers attain safe and healthy workplaces, family-supporting wages, dignity on the job and greater equity at work and in their community. Its programs are based on the fundamental principle that working people can, by exercising their right to freedom of association and forming trade unions and democratic worker rights organizations, collectively improve their jobs and workplaces, call on their governments to uphold laws and protect human rights, and be a force for democracy, social justice and inclusive economic development.  Founded in 1997 and allied with the U.S. labor movement, its programs in more than 60 countries focus on human and worker rights awareness, union skills, occupational safety and health, economic literacy, human trafficking, women’s empowerment and bolstering workers in an increasingly informal economy.