Job Alert: Grants & Contracts Compliance Manager

(Anticipated start date as soon as possible.) This position is based remotely in the United States (with a preference towards CA, MA, NC, OH, OR, TN, KY, or WI)

About Aquaya

The Aquaya Institute (Aquaya) is a nonprofit research and consulting organization dedicated to advancing global health through universal access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). We deliver critical insights, data, and tools to support informed policy, program, and financing decisions. This knowledge helps to secure safe water and sanitation for vulnerable populations, improving human health and well-being.

Aquaya’s portfolio spans public health, economics, technology development, and social entrepreneurship in over 20 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. We have published or contributed to over 40 peer-reviewed research articles and produced numerous other reports and publications.

Aquaya maintains an office in Nairobi, Kenya, and Accra, Ghana. Staff members are also in the US, France, Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Morocco. Many of our projects are carried out in collaboration with academic research groups and expert consultants.

About the position

We are recruiting a Grants & Contracts Compliance Manager for a full-time position based remotely (40 hours/week). This position will be based remotely in the United States and may include infrequent international travel. The Grants & Contracts Compliance Manager will report to Aquaya’s Chief Financial Officer.

Aquaya was recently awarded a five-year cooperative agreement by USAID and serves as the prime awardee, leading a consortium of six partner organizations. This position will primarily work to ensure U.S. Federal compliance on this project as well as Aquaya’s other U.S. Federal awards, sub awards, and subcontracts. The Grants & Contracts Compliance Manager will provide a crucial link between the technical and finance functions within the project to ensure that Uniform Guidance and Federal Acquisition Regulations, as well as internal and project rules and policies, are followed in all aspects of program implementation.

Role and Responsibilities

• Post-award grant and contract compliance, including ensuring costs are allowable.
• Monitors grants, and contract accounting records and supporting documentation are maintained in good order.
• Reviews project financial reports to ensure compliance with U.S. Federal reporting guidelines.
• Manage financial audits by grant and contract funders.
• Assists in the completion of all aspects of the annual Single Audit report.
• Maintains knowledge of current U.S. Federal guidance, regulations, and issues related to grants, contracts, and audits of non-profit organizations.
• Ensures high quality and efficient service to the project program staff director(s), including maintaining financial budgeting tracking tool.
• Adheres to Aquaya policies and procedures and safeguards Aquaya assets.
• Develop the U.S. Federal grant and contract compliance capacity of all relevant staff, sub-awardees, and subcontractors, providing training and policy guidance as needed.
• Monitor project budget to actual expenditures and report issues encountered to the Chief Financial Officer.
• Resolve external issues/problems related to grant or contract administration in a timely manner.
• Work with the Chief Financial Officer and others to ensure the accurate tracking and recording of award expenditures and financial reports.

Criteria for the position

The following qualifications are necessary for this position:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting.
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, auditing, finance, or business management with at least three (3) years of specific government grant and/or contract experience.
• Advanced knowledge of U.S. government policies, procedures, and reporting requirements for U.S. Federal awards, including Uniform Guidance, [2 CFR Sec. 200] and/or Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Direct experience with USAID programs is preferred. 
• Knowledge and understanding of accounting practices pertaining to government awards and contracts.
• Experience in the fiscal management of prime awards (grants or cooperative agreements) from U.S. Federal government agencies.
• Experience in indirect cost rates and developing project budgets.
• Excellent computer skills and facility with using MS Excel.
• Excellent math skills.
• Fluency in English.

We are also looking for the following skills and attributes:

• Demonstrated experience coordinating and collaborating with various stakeholders.
• Experience fulfilling sub-recipient monitoring requirements under Uniform Guidance.
• Previous work experience working with staff from other countries.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong work ethic and a commitment to delivery.
• Ambition to set and achieve high standards for quality of work.
• Outstanding organization with an attention to detail and an ability to establish systems to manage constant flows of information and deliver on deadlines.
• Proven ability to work closely with a small team and to successfully manage multiple and changing priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, while maintaining a positive and productive attitude and a good sense of humor!

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time position with an initial 3-month probationary period. Aquaya offers competitive salaries that are commensurate with experience.

To apply

Please submit your resume via e-mail to jobs@aquaya.org along with a thoughtful cover letter. Once your resume is received, there will be an additional screening survey and activity. This position will be open until filled.

In your cover letter, please explain why you are interested in Aquaya’s mission and activities. Please also tell us why your skills, background, and accomplishments make you the ideal candidate for this position, specifically highlighting your experience.

Please note that we will not consider applications without a cover letter. In your e-mail subject line, please specify “Grants & Contracts Compliance Manager.” No phone calls, please.

Aquaya provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.