United States of America: Senior Contracts Officer II

Overview

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is currently recruiting experienced staffs for a number of important new projects, including an anticipated 5-year, USAID-funded global award that will support strengthening local health systems strengthening as a means to achieve universal health coverage (UHC). The project will work in low and middle-income countries and focus on reducing financial barriers to healthcare, increasing equitable access to services and improving the quality of patient-centered care.

The Senior Contract Officer (SCO) will perform all contractual administration and contractual management functions for the project with activities include providing, assisting, mentoring and monitoring contract compliance, contract management and contract negotiations. The SCO must be able to lead in performing the responsibilities detailed below and complete them with little or no supervisor assistance. The SCO must be aware of, adhere to and educate project staff on the MSH Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, donor regulations, and MSH Standard Operating Procedures in relation to all project activities.

This position is contingent on project award and funding.

Specific Responsibilities

Contract/Subcontract Management and Administration

• Assume responsibility for and/or delegate and oversee, all project contract administration and contract management functions as assigned per delegated authority from the Lead Senior Contract Officer. Correspond as necessary with USAID and other donors for assigned projects, including but not limited to the following:
  • Negotiating prime USAID contracts, grants, cooperative agreements ensuring regulations, terms and conditions are acceptable to MSH.
  • Preparing and presenting contract readings for assigned projects.
  • Drafting and negotiating USAID approval and waiver requests.
  • Monitoring compliance with the terms and conditions of the contracts and cooperative agreements and developing and implementing spot checking plans.
  • Providing technical assistance and training to project staff on contract/cooperative agreement compliance, donor regulations and MSH SOPs.
  • Performing project start-up and close out related activities.
• Assume responsibility for and/or delegate and oversee all subcontract/subaward administration and management functions for assigned subcontracts/subawards. In conjunction with project management and Contracts Office staff:
  • Develop subcontract strategies.
  • Draft, negotiate and sign subcontracts/subawards ensuring appropriate regulations, terms and conditions are included in the subcontract/subaward.
  • Develop and draft amendments to subcontracts/subawards.
  • Educate subcontractors/subawardees on US Government regulations, monitor compliance, perform spot checks and provide follow up training as necessary.
  • Review and approve subcontractor/subawardee invoices for assigned projects as per delegated authority.
  • Work with finance team to review provisional and indirect cost rate adjustments and reconciliation for subcontract/subaward invoices as needed.
  • Work with finance team to review and monitor advance and track liquidation of advances.
• Assume responsibility for or delegate and oversee the contractual management and contractual oversight of a comprehensive grants program in conjunction with project management and Corporate Contracts Office (CCO) staff, including:
  • Design of the grants program and selection of grant instrument.
  • Request for Application development.
  • Applications review and selection.
  • Grant document drafting and negotiation.
  • Monitoring of compliance with terms and conditions of the grant.
  • Drafting and negotiating amendments to the grants.
  • Financial monitoring and invoice review for payments to the grantees.
  • Close out of the grants.
  • Provide technical assistance and training on grants programs and management of grants.
• Perform and/or oversee and document donor regulations research, including but not limited to, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR), standardized regulations, standard provisions, 2 CFR 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principals and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Rand other type of research as required , and prepare written responses to queries.
• Negotiate and/or oversee establishment of daily compensation rates for consultants proposed to work on projects.
• Advise/assist/monitor project staff on the applicable donor and MSH regulations governing their work. As needed, formally and informally educate project staff on contract compliance issues and operational topics.
• Complete and submit forms for entry of sub award, award and modification information into MSH’s Financial System.
• Perform integrity checks for budgets for submission to USAID and other donors as needed.
• Keep abreast of, interpret, and provide written guidance to staff on donor regulations and policies.
• Spot check for compliance on all delegated tasks and form training plan for issues as necessary.

General Duties

• Prepare and review responses to internal and external audit questions, and determine allowability of costs when necessary.
• Participation in all Project Support Team meetings and complete assigned deliverables.
• Attend staff meetings. Prepare and present on assigned topics at staff meetings.
• Participate in the development of department/office workplan.
• Keep current on regulations and other pertinent information about the various donors and funding
• Provide direct or indirect supervision, training, coaching and mentoring for all staff delegated authority for performing contract functions. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, meeting with staff on a regular basis to discuss issues, track work progress, provide guidance and support, and ensure consistent quality of work performed; participating in the Performance Plan and Reviews process; communicating, implementing and assuring adherence to MSH policies, Standard Operating Procedures, guidelines and values; developing staff skills and knowledge; approving time sheets; and facilitating supervisee success whenever possible.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Post-graduate degree required

Experience

• 7 years of related experience

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong computer skills and knowledge of spreadsheets and word processing: MS-Excel and MS-Word preferred.
• Demonstrated U.S. government contract management and budget development experience. USAID contracts administration experience required.
• Flexibility to assume a workload which frequently necessitates an adjustment of priorities.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Firm understanding and sense for the importance of paying attention to contract and administrative detail
• Fluency in oral and written English, French skills an advantage but not required.
• Ability and availability to travel as needed (limited international and domestic travel is required).
• Experience supervising staff desired.

Competencies

• Strong organizational skills for managing and coordinating a variety of tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with professional colleagues. Ability to work in a team oriented environment.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and to work proactively and independently.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated sound judgment in handling confidential and sensitive matters with discretion.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt.
• Solution-oriented, and can troubleshoot challenges as they arise. Ability to problem solve.

Physical Demands

• Keyboard use, pulling drawers, lifting papers <10 lbs.

https://jobs-msh.icims.com/jobs/10498/senior-contract-officer-ii/job