Director, Contract Compliance - US

Description

Location: Portland, OR, Washington, DC or US Remote _
Valid unrestricted work authorization in the country in which you will be based (United States) is required at the time of application for this position._**
Position Status:** Full-time, Regular, ExemptSalary: The salary range for this role is $90,000 - $114,000 USD commensurate on experience and location.

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Program

The Grants Compliance Support Unit (GCSU) provides support to Mercy Corps’ Country Office and Global Support Team operations through its subject matter expertise in the interpretation and application of donor regulations and related internal policies. Areas of support include: (1) donor regulations training for our teams and key partners, (2) technical guidance through consultation and complex program collaboration, (3) creation and maintenance of award compliance materials and templates, (4) support for subaward administration, with an emphasis on drafting compliant subaward agreements and modifications, and (5) USG contract compliance (system and policy). Our mission is to increase the level of knowledge and availability of tools and resources to promote the highest possible standards of accountability, transparency, efficiency, and donor compliance.

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The Position**

US government (USG) contracting is a new area key to Mercy Corps’ operating model and this position will manage the multi-sectoral change initiatives required to pursue and execute on USG contracts/acquisition instruments. The role will also support guidance on proposals for contracts with a view on implementation and compliance to support Mercy Corps’ strategic plan. Director, Contract Compliance will be responsible for training and mentoring staff within GCSU and other teams to support successful contract proposal development and implementation.

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Essential Responsibilities**

STRATEGY AND LEADERSHIP

• As part of Grants Compliance Support Unit (GCSU) senior leadership team serve as a key partner and relationship builder to strengthen collaboration within GCSU and with other Mercy Corps departments, including Mercy Corps Europe.
• Provide senior management guidance to support all aspects of USG contract development and implementation.
• Evaluate training and resource needs to support country-based contract programs.
• Interpret terms and conditions as well as associated rules and regulations, as they apply to competing, negotiating and administering contracts.

SYSTEMS AND SUPPORT FUNCTIONS

• As part of contract readiness activities, work cross functionally to support the development of policies, guidelines, procedures, standards, work processes, manuals, metrics and methodologies for successful and comprehensive contract management.
• Manage contract compliance support function to respond to questions and concerns by teams working on developing proposals and escalated questions from the award compliance group regarding implementing contracts and subcontracts.
• Collaborate closely with the Senior Director, Cost and Pricing, New Initiatives team, and other units to develop, review and update Mercy Corps policies, tools, templates and guidelines as needed to ensure optimal implementation of proposal review and submission
• Collaborate with International Finance, Regional Program Teams (RPT) and country offices to develop, review and update Mercy Corps policies, tools, and templates to ensure clear understanding of USG contract compliance requirements.
• Capture and disseminate best practices on contract compliance across teams to ensure highest quality and standards
• Design training modules on USG contract compliance issues and provide periodic trainings, via webinar or in-person, on contract requirements and procedures; coordinate training approach with GCU training lead.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work

• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members

• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options

Supervisory Responsibility

None

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Accountability**

Reports Directly To: Senior Director, Grants and Contracts- Compliance

Works Directly With: Mercy Corps Europe’s Compliance team, Regional Program Team, Country leadership, Corporate Finance, International Finance, Internal Audit as well as cross-operations departments including People and Strategy, Global Procurement, Monitoring and Evaluation, IT, Legal & Ethics, etc.

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Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders**

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

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Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills**

• Minimum 6+ years of progressive USG prime contract management experience in a medium to large organization, including responsibility for compliance, donor regulations, financial management and subcontract management is required.
• An expert knowledge of the rules and regulations governing the management of U.S. Government and other donor-funded grants is required.
• Experience setting up systems and processes for USG contracts compliance
• Demonstrated experience and expertise with USAID rules and regulations (particularly FAR and AIDAR), procurement processes and thresholds, and cost allowability.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, in a multicultural, face-to-face and virtual environment and with all levels of the organization.
• Strong record of successfully managing complex matrixed internal relationships and partnerships across all levels of an organization
• Strong customer focus and understanding of how to deliver and communicate new ideas and change across diverse teams.
• Effective verbal and written communication, analytical, organizational and prioritization skills as well as training and leadership abilities are necessary.
• Experience working for an NGO with USAID funding as well as a broad range of other donors is essential

Success Factors

The successful Director Contract Compliance will have expert knowledge of the regulations governing US government contracts. They can effectively balance strong internal controls with the timely and efficient delivery of programs to Mercy Corps’ beneficiaries. This person brings strong leadership, project management, training and mentoring skills and is able to establish and meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members. This position will need to work successfully across functions in a matrixed international organization. They will have excellent verbal and written communication with both financial and non-financial audiences and are able to communicate contract compliance concepts to technical and non-technical audiences. Success will be based on a positive attitude, strong work ethic and high integrity.

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Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions**

The position requires up to 15% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.

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Ongoing Learning**

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion**

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

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Equal Employment Opportunity**

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

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Safeguarding & Ethics**

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme**.** We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment.

Our screening process is designed to be transparent and completed in partnership with new Team Members. You will have the opportunity to disclose any prior convictions at the conclusion of the recruitment process before the check is initiated. We ask that you do not disclose any prior convictions in your application materials or during the recruitment process.

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Covid-19 Vaccine Policy for US-Based Employees**

Mercy Corps has determined that, in an effort to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all Mercy Corps employees working in the United States, all U.S.-based employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of prior COVID-19 infection status. This policy is necessary to ensure not only the safety of our workforce, but the ongoing functionality of the organization.

This policy will be revised as needed to comply with federal, state, and local requirements, and to respond to changing guidance from public health authorities.

For new employees this requirement goes into effect within 10 business days of employment.  Team members that travel are expected to comply with host-country requirements, including vaccinations.  Failure to comply may impact your employment.  Proof of vaccination or exemption must be provided.

Keywords

Contract ComplianceUSGComplianceRegulationsUSAIDContractsDonorFinancial ManagementSubcontract ManagementTrainingNGOFunding