Social Solutions International, Inc. (Social Solutions) is a Hispanic and woman-owned business emphasizing quality research and evaluation, training and technical assistance, and institutional support services. We are a mission-driven organization that believes that superior science can improve the world. Social Solutions is dedicated to the creation of social and health solutions to improve the welfare of underserved populations worldwide.

Social Solutions is a large, thriving business with a fun atmosphere that encourages creativity, new ideas, and employee health and well-being. We put our employees first and use empathetic leadership, taking a genuine interest in our employees’ lives and the challenges they face in and out of the workplace. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are integral to our company culture, and we are continuously striving to enhance our DEIA efforts across our company. You will feel like a contributing member of a growing team and company that has flexibility to enhance processes and procedures quickly to improve performance and growth. We help our employees carve out a professional pathway that has mutual benefits for them and Social Solutions. Social Solutions also offers exceptional compensation and benefits, detailed below.

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Submit CV and cover letter to info@pacificamerican.fund with the following:

• Email subject line: Grants Specialist Candidate - First Name Last Name
• CV File Name: Grants Specialist_First Name Last Name_CV
• Cover Letter File Name: Grants Specialist_First Name Last Name_Cover letter

Social Solutions International Inc. is seeking a seasoned professional to serve as a Grants Specialist. This is a local hire position. The Grants Specialist will be part of the Grants Team supporting the grantmaking facility and grantee capacity building activity for a $20M grant portfolio supporting 20-30 grants. The Grants Specialist reports to the Grants Manager and the position is based in Suva, Fiji Islands with a possible remote work consideration for citizens of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, or the Federated States of Micronesia.

Under the direction of the Grants Manager, the Grants Specialist will contribute to the success of the Pacific American Fund by performing activities that maintain the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the grantmaking facility and support capacity development activities. This role will also require the Grants Specialist to establish and maintain harmonious and effective relationships and undertake all duties to a professional standard. Duties may vary from time to time under the Grants Manager’s direction to meet changing program needs. Occasional travel within the region may be required for grant monitoring site visits, grant launches, and coordinating US government VIP site visits.

Social Solutions is implementing the Pacific American Fund under direct contract with USAID. The Pacific American Fund is a $35 million, 5-year regional grantmaking facility funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and operates across 12 Pacific Island countries. The Pacific American Fund provides and monitors grants to civil society organizations (CSOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other eligible entities addressing a wide range of development challenges across the Pacific region. Administration of the Pacific American Fund grantmaking facility entails preparing and issuing solicitations, reviewing proposals, awarding grants, monitoring and evaluating grant performance, monitoring and auditing financial reports, ensuring due diligence and compliance with USAID rules and regulations, closing out grants, and reporting to USAID. The Pacific American Fund team provides organizational capacity-building to local sub-grantees to ensure proper stewardship of USG funding and improved organizational and financial management of local partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Award Solicitations

• Support Grants Manager to issue USAID-compliant award solicitations to include programmatic focus, evaluation criteria, grant application requirements, etc.
• Support Grants Manager to project manage the solicitation process from solicitation announcement, grant application submission coordination, technical evaluation coordination and analysis, preparing the Grants Review Board presentation, and feedback notification to grant applicants.
• Actively manage new award processing adhering to USAID ADS 303 including pre-award risk assessments, reviewing budgets and budget narratives, and developing award packages.

• Grant Portfolio Management for up to 10 grants

• Monitor individual grant performance for prompt grant payment processing, required plans and document approval, and fixed-fee deliverable documentation;
• Provide quality control and provide capacity building support to grantees to ensure timely submission of well-written Quarterly/Annual Performance Reports that adhere to reporting requirements and templates;
• Review financial reports from grantees against budgets and prepare supporting documentation for disbursements to grantees; 
• Liaise with the Finance Team to efficiently process grant payment requests
• Liaise with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Team to ensure that grantees develop MEL Plans that effectively capture the impact of their activity;
• Liaise with the Strategic Communications Lead to develop grant activity communications collateral, and promptly document grant activities that require notification to USAID such as workshops and training delivered by grantees, VIP site visits, etc.
• Maintain grant activity documents in Google Drive and update Grant Management database
• Ensure full compliance with USAID financial management, and reporting policies and standards, maintaining high levels of accuracy, completeness, transparency, and integrity

• Reporting

• Contribute to PAF Quarterly/Annual Performance Reports and other contract deliverables

• Finance

• Support Finance Team with grant payment schedules for budget forecasting

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• At least 5-7 years of experience managing grants for an international development grants program in similar depth and breadth as the Pacific American Fund (approximately $20M value and 20-30 grants under management);
• A bachelors or graduate degree in international relations/development, public policy/administration, business administration, finance, accounting, economics, law, or another directly relevant field; 
• Proficiency and hands-on experience in 2 or more technical sectors (i.e. climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity/conservation, fisheries, social entrepreneurship, etc.);
• A demonstrated ability to provide outreach to civil society and marketing of Pacific American Fund to relevant stakeholders;
• Meticulous and able to perform independently with minimum supervision;
• Curious, inquisitive mindset with the ability to take a common sense approach to grant management;
• Logical and methodical mindset to adhere to standardized processes, templates, and record-keeping to withstand an audit;
• Exceptional computer skills and proficiency in Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides or Microsoft equivalent;
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Intimate understanding of various funding agencies and US government regulations and procedures, applying USAID regulations and procedures in grantmaking and the grantmaking process in accordance with USAID ADS 303saj, and USAID ADS 303mak, including issuing grant solicitations, conducting pre-award assessments, awarding grants, managing grants, and providing capacity building to grantees;
• Development and community engagement experience as well as capacity building abilities and in-depth understanding of local CSOs and NGOs; 
• Diplomatic skills and cultural and political sensitivities; 
• Strong experience with performance management and measurement systems; 
• Direct experience working in the Pacific region would be an added strength; and 
• Knowledge of a local Pacific language. 

Social Solutions offers competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. Please submit your resume online at www.socialsolutions.biz.

Social Solutions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.