Grants Administration Specialist - Department of State

Grants Administration Specialist - Department of State

The Position:

We are looking for eager, driven candidates with experience in people management, communication, facilitation, problem-solving, and analysis to guide our teams in developing impactful solutions for our Federal clients at the Department of State. The Grants Administration Specialist is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of grant programs. This position requires a strong understanding of grant regulations, financial management principles, and program management. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing technical assistance to grantees, monitoring grant performance, and ensuring compliance with federal regulations. Some of your key responsibilities will include:

Program Planning and Design:

• Assist in the development of grant program guidelines, work plans, and solicitations.
• Review and analyze program objectives, eligibility criteria, and selection criteria.

Solicitation Development and Review:

• Develop and review grant solicitations, including requests for proposals (RFPs) and requests for applications (RFAs).
• Ensure solicitations are clear, concise, and comply with federal regulations.

Grant Award Process:

• Review and evaluate grant applications to ensure compliance with program guidelines and eligibility criteria.
• Prepare grant award documents, including grant agreements and notices of award.
• Negotiate terms and conditions with grantees.

Grant Monitoring and Oversight:

• Monitor grantee performance, financial expenditures, and progress towards program objectives.
• Conduct site visits and reviews of grantee activities as needed.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to grantees to address issues and resolve problems.

Financial Management:

• Review and approve grantee financial reports and invoices.
• Ensure compliance with federal cost principles and grant terms and conditions.
• Identify and resolve financial issues and discrepancies.

Closeout and Reporting:

• Oversee the closeout process, including final financial reports and program evaluations.
• Prepare performance reports and other required documentation.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date grant records.

The Ideal Candidate: 

At Censeo, we are looking for unique candidates whose passion and enthusiasm will help shape Censeo’s client insights and workplace culture. Our staff have a wide range of backgrounds, areas of expertise, personality types, and favorite breakfast foods. Our client and cultural successes are rooted in our team’s innovation, creative problem solving, and collaboration. The unique perspective that you bring and the way you tackle problems are much more important to us than what’s printed on your diploma. Some of the core qualifications for the role include:
Required:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as international relations, public administration, or business administration.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in grants management, preferably in a federal government setting.
• Strong understanding of federal grant regulations, including 2 CFR 200.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Preferred:

• Experience working with the Department of State
• Master's degree in a related field.
• Certification in grants management (e.g., CPGM).
• Experience with grant management systems and databases.
• Knowledge of foreign assistance programs and international development.
• Fluency in one or more foreign languages.

The Company:

Censeo Consulting Group is a top Washington D.C. based management consulting firm dedicated to helping public sector and non-profit clients build operational excellence, deliver better outcomes, and lower cost. We take a personalized approach to strategic consulting to solve our clients’ most complex problems and build operational excellence that transforms their organizations, allowing them to better deliver on their public and social missions. 

At Censeo, our award-winning culture means you’ll join a tight-knit community of 95 brilliant and passionate colleagues. We are advocates for a better functioning public sector, and we’re also good friends who know the names of each other’s dogs. Our philosophy is horizontal, not hierarchical, and our open-door policy encourages a culture of entrepreneurship at all levels. We share successes, make decisions together, and foster an environment for those with passion and initiative to lead. Our colleagues bring their own unique personalities to work every day and use them to help shape our growing firm in ways that reach far beyond client projects. 

The Location:

Censeo Consulting Group is based in Washington D.C., a fantastic city for working professionals. We work in a hybrid setting with flexibility to work from home and work in our office conveniently located in the heart of downtown, just a few blocks away from the White House. And with many of our clients also based in D.C., we have the luxury of leaving for a meeting and being back in the office in time for post-work happy hours, team dinners, and game nights.
The Fine Print:

• The salary range for this role is $80,000 - $130,000 depending on experience
• Expected travel 0-10%; may increase based on business needs 
• This is an exempt, full-time position
• This role is subject to a hybrid work schedule in the Washington D.C. 
• Essential Physical Functions
  • Sitting: Particularly for sustained periods of time
  • Light Carrying: Physically transporting items weighing less than 15 pounds from one location to another

Censeo offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including paid vacation and sick leave, flexible and remote work opportunities, and tuition and training reimbursement. More information on our benefits and perks can be found at https://www.censeoconsulting.com/about/join-us/.
Censeo is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal opportunity to all applicants and employees in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, gender, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other class protected by applicable state or federal law. 
Join Our Award-Winning Culture!
Our passion wins awards. But don’t just take it from us… 

• 2024 Vault #41 Consulting 50 North America
• 2024 Vault #7 Best Consulting Firm for Hours in the Office
• 2023 Vault #9 Best Consulting Firm for Work/Life Balance 
• 2023 Vault #23 Best Consulting Firm for Overall Diversity
• 2023 Management Consulted #3 Best Boutique Firms in Washington DC
• 2022 Vault #41 Best Overall Consulting Firm to Work For
• 2020 Vault #21 Best Boutique Consulting Firm 
• 2019 Ivy Exec #7 Best Boutique Consulting Firm 
• 2018 Consulting Magazine Best Small Firms to Work For
• 2017 Vault #12 Best Boutique Consulting Firm 
• 2016 Forbes Best Management Consulting Firms in America 
• 2015 Washington Business Journal’s Philanthropy List 

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