Job specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
SUMMARY:
A Grants and Budget Analyst is required by the Office of Academic Exchange Programs (ECA/A/E) to perform a wide variety of duties necessary to support the office’s budget and grants business processes, systems and files. This position is an integral part of the front office team that plans, implements and oversees approximately 20 academic exchange programs managed by ECA/A/E. The analyst will support financial tracking for an annual budget, including transfers from other Department or Government elements to support programs with Afghanistan, Egypt, Pakistan and other locations. Additionally, the grants and budget analyst supports the Office Director, Deputy Office Director and Senior Program Officer by compiling, analyzing, and maintaining program data and statistics; drafting documents and tracking issues for major grants and cooperative agreements; and developing office-wide best practices, guidelines, and/or procedures.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assisting with the planning, establishing, coordinating and monitoring program budgets according to DOS financial management standards;
- Assisting with the assessment of planned and anticipated program budgets and activities through detailed analysis and careful consideration of program requirements in collaboration with branch and country program officers;
- Along with the Senior Program Officer, advises the Office Director and Deputy Director regarding the necessity for and type of budgetary or federal assistance action necessary to be implemented to meet programmatic requirements;
- Making recommendations regarding grant and cooperative agreement documents, including all elements of the federal assistance lifecycle;
- Monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on assistance agreements and budgets;
- Identifying, managing and advising the Office Director and Deputy Director on program initiatives, issues, or programs intended to address conflicts or incompatibility between or among program goals and objectives, resource requirements, budgetary or assistance policies, objectives and constrains, and legal considerations;
- Negotiating and tracking the regulations and technicalities regarding funds transferred to the Bureau’s budget office for ECA/A programs;
- Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including on technical or systems related questions;
- Identifying, collecting information, and drafting procedures or program guidance for internal or external use;
- Developing and maintaining liaisons with all stakeholders to build effective relationships in support of ECA strategic goal of promoting international understanding;
- Preparing briefing papers, memoranda, talking points, speeches, and other documents on exchange activities and providing recommendations and support to management;
- Representing ECA at workshops, orientations, and at meetings with government representatives, implementing partners, and the public.
NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES: Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS - EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND LICENSURE:
- Bachelor’s Degree is required for this position; however, a Master’s Degree or other advanced degree is preferred.
- A minimum of three (3) years of related professional work experience is required for this position.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the Secret level.
- Advanced database and Microsoft Excel knowledge and skills.
- Experience with the concepts, principles, practices, laws and regulations of budgeting, federal finance, and federal assistance.
- Experience advising and providing solutions to managers on strategic budgeting, assistance recordkeeping, policies, and procedures.
- Reconciling and assessing conflicts between program needs and budget and assistance regulations.
- Education and work experience related to international cultural or educational exchanges, and/or other types of international study, programming and budgeting. Experience in program administration, operating procedures, oversight and monitoring.
- Experience with U.S. government and State Department administrative policies and procedures as they pertain to financial, grants, procurement, and operational management of international exchange programs.
- Knowledge of legislative authorities governing ECA grants administration is required; knowledge of ECA grants procedures and program monitoring, is highly desirable.
- Familiarity with standard software, including the complete Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, SharePoint), and an ability to learn and work with other software, as well as database applications. (Excel skills at an advanced level, as requested above.)
- Experience writing and/or negotiating procedures.
- Excellent critical and creative thinking and analytical skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to maintain effective liaison with other Department of State offices, Fulbright Commission and Embassy colleagues, program partners, and other entities involved in academic exchange programs. Ability to interact with all nationalities in a culturally sensitive manner.
- Excellent ability to work independently, without supervision, and multi-task in a high volume, fast-pace work environment. Excellent, timely and precise organizational skills and multi-tasking abilities.
- Excellent ability to have a flexible, team-oriented approach to work. Excellent ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for frequently bending, stooping, sitting, walking or standing for prolonged periods of time; most of time is spent sitting in a comfortable position with the opportunity to move about. Occasionally there may be a need to move or lift moderately light items up to 35 pounds. Near visual acuity to review written documentation; ability to hear and understand speech at normal room levels and on the telephone; manual dexterity to operate a telephone and keyboard; lift horizontally and vertically.
Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Job is performed in an office setting with exposure to computer screens and requires extensive use of a computer, keyboard, mouse and multi-line telephone system. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
None.
ADDITIONAL QUALIFYING FACTORS:
Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance. In addition, a satisfactory background screening, negative drug test, positive references and proof of identity and legal authorization to work in the United States and for TTI are required.
NATIVE PREFERENCE APPLIES
Required Skills
Required Experience