Job Title :     Associate Specialist, Project Management, Eastern Europe (P4) 

Department : USG Programs  

Reports to: Project Managers         

Work Location: Bethesda, Maryland  

 

Position Overview:

DAI is seeking an Associate Specialist, Project Management to work as part of a team responsible for monitoring and managing U.S. Government-funded international development projects in different countries and regions around the world.   

The Associate Specialist will be assigned up to three projects in a specific geographic region – called a portfolio at DAI – serving as a key, home office support link to the project implementation team based in a specific country, region, or Washington, D.C. Reporting to a home office Project Manager or Director, the Associate Specialist provides both routine and specialized operational, financial and contractual oversight to a project, often with little or no guidance, which in turn helps the project achieve quality programming and development results. As a member of the home office project management team, the Associate Specialist collaborates with colleagues in the home office, with the project, and across USG Programs at DAI. An Associate Specialist is expected to have prior professional project management experience with USAID-funded programs. 

This is a full-time position, which requires authorization to work in the United States. 

Responsibilities: 

Project Management Support 

Serve as a liaison to project teams for day-to-day problem-solving and operational support, working independently or with some guidance from the Project Manager/Director. 

Independently identify and trouble-shoot routine problems, escalate more complex issues to the Project Manager/Director along with ideas for solutions, and follow up on issues until resolved. 

Undertake STTA opportunities on projects and provide short-term coverage for Associate Specialists or Associates, as needed. 

Serve as a resource, coach, and trainer for new Associate Specialists, Sr. Associates, or Associates on their team or others across DAI, focusing on building capacity through knowledge sharing, problem solving, and assistance with specific questions. 

Review the work of Associates on the same project team for quality and accuracy, if applicable. 

Contribute to cross-project and cross-portfolio knowledge sharing. 

Project Coordination 

Coordinate with limited or no guidance routine and advanced project administrative activities under the responsibility of the home office, including management of project staff and consultant documents, requesting purchases for goods and services, and tracking project deliverable due dates and ensuring timely submissions. 

Perform time-sensitive administrative tasks independently, including reviewing vendor invoices, issuing and tracking requisitions, monitoring and adjusting accounts payable submissions, auditing expense reports, and coordinating the mobilization and demobilizing of staff on overseas country assignments. 

Conduct advanced auditing of grant, subcontract, and operations files to ensure compliance with U.S. Government requirements and DAI policies and procedures. Maintain files and ensures record retention compliance independently. 

Provide specialized administrative support, as assigned. 

Contract Management 

Draft accurate, complete, and well-written requests for internal and client approvals, coordinate submissions for contract and subcontract modifications, and coordinate all other requests for contract office support. 

Draft routine and advanced contractual documents efficiently using approved templates with limited or no support. 

Identify and synthesize moderately complex contractual issues and propose possible solutions to Project Manager/Director, Contracts Administrator, and project team based on a demonstrated, advanced understanding of U.S. Government contracting requirements and DAI policies and procedures. 

Monitor compliance with contract and regulations and escalate issues with possible solutions, as needed. 

Advise subcontractor on basic and routine subcontract questions, budget, compliance, and operational issues. 

Financial Management 

Review and process project financial transactions and monthly project invoices independently. 

Review and process consultant, subcontractor, and vendor invoices through DAI’s financial management system independently. 

Create and/or maintain project budgeting tool and coordinate data entry from project and home office with infrequent guidance. 

Support monthly financial analysis, quarterly forecasts, risk identification, and ad hoc financial troubleshooting and reporting as requested with limited guidance from the Project Manager/Director. 

Contribute to strategic decisions about project financial performance and draft analysis and recommendations for course corrections, as required or requested. 

Draft budget modifications with limited guidance. 

Business Development 

Support budgeting for new bids, in close coordination with the proposal team. 

Serve as a Proposal Pricer for proposals in their portfolio or other portfolios, as needed.  

Share country-specific information around client knowledge, partnering and local staffing.  

Additional responsibilities as deemed necessary. 

Qualifications & Skills: 

Minimum Requirements for P4: 

More than two years of relevant, professional administrative or professional experience in project management of donor-funded programs, including at least one year of project management experience of USAID-funded programs, and a college degree. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered. 

Strong administrative, analytical, and organizational skills, with demonstrated meticulous attention to detail. 

Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and/or sensitive information with discretion. 

Demonstrated ability to manage ambiguity, take initiative and problem solve. 

Demonstrated flexibility in adjusting to changes in demands, new situations, or approaches. 

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including quantitative analysis using Excel. 

Demonstrated understanding of USAID regulatory and management requirements and ability to apply and adhere to those requirements in project management.  

Demonstrated experience supporting USAID-funded budget management, such as building and maintaining pipelines and forecasts and supporting financial analysis. 

Experience or familiarity with record retention and administrative file management. 

Ability to work effectively in a team environment with limited direction. 

Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate information clearly and tailor communication style to diverse audiences. 

Experience building and maintaining collaborative, respectful relationships with colleagues and external clients at all levels and from diverse cultures and backgrounds. 

Willingness to adjust work schedule as needed to support teams located in different time zones/countries.  

Willingness to travel to any country where DAI operates and the DAI Global Security team deems safe for travel.  

Authorization to work in the United States.  

Preferred, but not required: 

Professional proficiency in a second language (Spanish, French, Russian, or Arabic preferred). 

Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software and other data management systems. 

Compensation & Benefits: 

The full-time equivalent annual base salary for this U.S.-based position is expected to be between $71,667 to $77,991. Actual offers will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant education, experience, skills, seniority, performance, and business or organizational needs.  

Eligible U.S.-based employees will be able to enroll in medical, dental and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)-retirement plan with a company match. Additionally, employees will be eligible for company-paid annual leave (vacation & holidays), sick leave, and parental leave, as well as short- and long-term disability coverage. Detailed information will be provided at the time a formal offer is extended. 

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 requires COVID-19 vaccinations subject to accommodation required by law.

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