Вакансія: Grants Officer – USAID Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine Activity

Activity Background

The purpose of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine Activity is to strengthen the resilience of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure from cyberattacks by establishing trusted collaboration between key cybersecurity stakeholders in the government, private sector, academia, and civil society. The activity aims to achieve this goal by implementing the following activity components: 

Component 1: Strengthen the cybersecurity enabling environment 

The legal, regulatory, and institutional framework for national cybersecurity in Ukraine needs to be strengthened and aligned with international standards and best practices. This component will strengthen the cybersecurity resilience of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure sectors by addressing legislative gaps, promoting good governance, enabling collaboration between stakeholders, and supporting cybersecurity institutions. This component will also build the technical capacity of key sectors through increased access to cybersecurity technology and equipment.  

Component 2: Develop Ukraine’s cybersecurity workforce 

Ukraine suffers from a severe shortage of cybersecurity professionals. This component of the USAID Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine Activity will address workforce gaps through activities that develop new cybersecurity talent and build the capacity of existing talent. These activities will address the entire workforce pipeline, the quality of education received by cybersecurity specialists, and industry training programs to rapidly upskill Ukraine’s workforce to respond to immediate cybersecurity vulnerabilities. 

Component 3: Build a resilient cybersecurity industry 

A growing cybersecurity industry in Ukraine will contribute directly to national security and prosperity. This component will seek to build trust and collaboration between the public and private sector to develop innovative solutions for future cybersecurity challenges; spur investment and growth in the broader cybersecurity market in Ukraine through greater access to financing; support smaller cybersecurity companies to rapidly increase the number of local cybersecurity service providers; and offer mechanisms for Ukrainian firms to connect with industry partners to enable better access to innovations and business opportunities.  

Together the above components will improve short-term cybersecurity resilience in Ukraine and establish a solid foundation for long-term cybersecurity independence and leadership. Lessons and best practices from key critical infrastructure sectors will extend to all parts of the public sector, as well as to the private sector and civil society.  

Position Overview

The Grants Officer reports to the Director of Finance and Operations, closely works with the Grants Specialist, and administers a sizable array of USAID Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine (CCI) grant activities, ensuring compliance with all applicable USAID and DAI regulations, policies, and procedures. The Grants Officer maintains all grant management documentation and records related to solicitation, awarding, implementation, monitoring, and closeout of his/her portfolio of grants in the CCI management systems and tracks individual grants’ progress, payments, and closeout according to the Grant Agreement. The Grants Officer is the focal point for all contractual, budgetary, financial, compliance, and capacity development issues on individual grants and works closely with the Technical Teams throughout the grant cycle.

Responsibilities:

The responsibilities of the Grants Officer include but are not limited to:

• Ensure grants’ compliance with the approved Grants Program Manual, referenced USAID regulations and policies, DAI policies and procedures, systems, and internal controls.
• Ensure proper negotiation of terms, conditions, standard provisions, and budgets for grant awards and amendments, as appropriate, focusing on analyzing budget estimates to ensure all costs conform with USAID and DAI regulations and policies.
• Ensure grantees receive and understand relevant USAID and DAI policies, procedures, and reporting requirements.
• Work with prospective grantees and program technical staff to develop the grant budgets, assuring that all costs are reasonable, allocable, allowable, and consistent with the grant’s scope of work.
• Conduct pre-award responsibility determination to examine if a potential awardee has adequate management and financial capacity and internal controls to implement and comply with their Grant Agreement successfully and as required, suggest mitigating measures regarding the management, technical, financial, and administrative capacity of the organization. Collect and/or develop related support documentation/paperwork and ensure appropriate record keeping.
• Provide and/or coordinate the provision of technical and administrative support in building the capacity of grantees for effective grant management.
• Lead development and execution of grant agreements by applicable policies and regulations.
• Assure that the grantee submits complete and timely deliverables and that they are verified and approved by the respective staff.
• Review all grantee’s vouchers — requests for payment or reimbursement — for accuracy, compliance, and sufficient detail to ensure compliance with the Grant Agreement and work with the finance team to prepare and process grant payments (disbursements).
• Monitor the grant financials to ensure that grant expenditures are in accordance with the grant ceilings. Take proactive steps to ensure compliance.
• Report on grant progress and status as required.
• Troubleshoot grants management challenges with grantees, technical staff, the Director of Finance and Operations, and COP.
• Monitor the activity implementation through regular communication with grantees and site visits.
• Manage grant close-out procedures — work closely with the grantee and the Technical Lead/PDO to ensure timely close-out, disposition, and final reporting, and perform the required audit of grant files and finances in TAMIS Classic and  SharePoint.
• Assist in the development and periodic updating of price reasonableness analysis tools (e.g., Standard Budget Rates)
• Assist with customization and improvement of the project’s grant management systems (TAMIS, SharePoint, etc.).
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Finance and Operations.

Qualifications:

• Must have at least 3 years of experience working in international development and grants management, with experience in USAID grants management preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or a related field. 
• Experience in the administration of USAID-funded grant programs preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and budgeting skills, operational and compliance focus, and accuracy in managing budgets, cash flow, and large amounts of data.
• An energetic, creative individual with high ethical standards and an appropriate professional image.
• Ability to respond effectively to time-sensitive inquiries.  
• Strong interpersonal skills, both written and oral communication skills.
• Strong computer skills (MS Office).
• English language speaking and writing.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran. 

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting discrimination in all forms, nurturing respect for our interpersonal relationships, and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work.  DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner. 

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.”

DAI promotes workforce diversity and encourages persons from excluded groups, including persons with disabilities, to apply.

It’s Kyiv-based position, long-term.

Period of performance-12 months.

Qualified candidates should send their CV and cover letter to [email protected]. by 15 March 2024 6:00pm Kyiv time. Only short-listed candidates will receive notice requesting additional information. Interviews will be conducted on the rolling basis.