Research Unit Contracts & Grants Manager I

The Development Strategies and Governance (DSG) Unit within the Transformation Strategies Department of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a Research Unit Contracts & Grants Manager I, who will be responsible for financial management which includes budgetary responsibilities, cost monitoring and control, and financial analysis and reporting, contracts administration which includes proposal preparation and submission and the administration of the Unit’s special projects. Other responsibilities include supervising Unit Admin Support staff, serving as liaison with finance and administration as well as the Director General’s office; drafting correspondence for the Unit director and communication with external contacts (donors, clients, collaborators, sub-contractors and auditors); and service as active member on various standing and ad-hoc committees, as well as work with Project Managers in management of budgets, contracts, deliverables, invoices and other payment documents. This position is a 2-year, renewable appointment based in Washington, DC.

Essential Duties:

Specific duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Providing technical support in proposal preparation, reviewing contracts to ensure they reflect the provisions negotiated, and monitoring performance of contracts and submission of specified deliverables.
• Drafting, negotiating and monitoring consultant collaborative agreements, serve as liaison between program collaborators and finance/administrative issues, review monthly financial reports, and provide financial analysis reports on projects.
• Preparing the divisional budgets and monitoring expense budgets
• Coordinating the drafting of project/program budgets; review of accounting transactions.
• Developing spreadsheets & maintaining financial information for planning & reference.
• Drafting routine correspondence regarding contracts or project/program finances.
• Assisting in financial audits
• Coordinating financial and operational activities for field offices
• Ensuring the smooth operation of the program’s day-to-day activities; coordinate seminars and workshops, manage logistical arrangements on seminars/workshops.
• Liaising with IFPRI HR Services, Facilities and IT department for related issues and needs.
• Preparing administrative and operational procedures for the division and approves timesheets
• Maintaining division files
• Supervising administrative support staff
• Other tasks as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree plus ten years of relevant experience, or associate’s degree plus twelve years of relevant experience. 
• Two year of management experience
• Experience in developing, monitoring and managing budgets and contracts.
• Experience in coordinating budget processes, reviewing accounting transactions, developing financial projections and reports.
• Solid composition, grammar and proof-reading skills, with the ability to compose correspondence and reports; excellent written and oral English communications skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; word processing & spreadsheet programs required.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks & prioritize tasks with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated experience and comfort working with multiple program managers simultaneously. Ability to prioritize and coordinate tasks in such an environment.
• Demonstrated flexibility to adjust to multiple individual work styles.
• Attention to detail and ability to work within a team in a multicultural environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with IFPRI’s operational systems (finance, accounting, etc.) and the CGIAR system is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in a second language of the U.N. system
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office, especially Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint required, and demonstrated proficiency with financial management and administrative software applications such as Costpoint, OnBase, Deltek, and/or other applications.

Physical Demand & Work environment:

• Employee will sit in an upright position for a long period of time
• Employee will lift between 0-10 pounds.
• Employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing computer terminal; extensive reading.

Salary Range: The expected salary range for this job requisition is between $85,600- $104,900. In determining your salary, we will consider your experience and other job-related factors.

Benefits: IFPRI is committed to providing our staff members with valuable and competitive benefits, as it is a core part of providing a strong overall employee experience. This position is eligible for health insurance coverage and a summary of our benefits can be found on our website. Please note that the listed benefits are generally available to active, non-temporary, full-time and part-time US-based employees who work at least 25 hours per week.

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is an equal employment opportunity employer - F/M/Disability/Vet/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.