Associate, Project Management-East and Southern Africa

DAI; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 56,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Associate in Project Management to support international development projects. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work closely with field teams, ensuring quality programming and compliance with U.S. Government standards. You will act as a vital link between various stakeholders, helping to troubleshoot issues and manage project finances. This position not only promises professional growth but also allows you to contribute to meaningful change in communities worldwide. If you are detail-oriented and passionate about making an impact, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Company-Paid Annual Leave

Sick Leave

Parental Leave

Short-term Disability Coverage

Long-term Disability Coverage

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of relevant experience and a degree in a related field.
• Strong administrative skills and attention to detail are essential.

Responsibilities

• Support project management and provide operational support for projects.
• Coordinate administrative activities and ensure compliance with policies.

Skills

Project Management

Financial Management

Administrative Skills

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Organizational Skills

Education

College Degree in Business Administration

Relevant Professional Experience

Tools

MS Office (Excel)

iExpense

Job description

Job Title: Associate, Project Management Eastern and Southern Africa

Grade: P2

Department: USG Programs

Reports to: Project Managers

Organization and Values:

DAI is a global development company committed to shaping a more livable world. We work on the frontlines of global development by transforming ideas into action and action into impact. Our projects tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI has corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism 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 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 of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

Function of the Position:

This position provides support to home office management, financial, and contractual oversight to U.S. Government-funded international development projects. This position will be assigned to a Portfolio and will primarily support project management work in that Portfolio. This position works with field teams to provide operational support for one or more projects. They will be responsible for helping projects achieve quality programming and development outcomes.

Roles and Responsibilities:

This position provides support and collaborates with colleagues as needed. They provide short-term coverage for traveling Associates. They review new policies and procedures and, where needed, identify changes for existing policies and procedures.

This position is responsible for the following key functions:

Project Management Support

• Act as a liaison to the field for day-to-day problem solving and support.
• Independently trouble-shoot common problems and escalates more complex issues to the Project Manager and follows up until resolved.

Project Coordination

• Coordinate the administrative activities of the project including mobilizing and demobilizing staff and international consultants, maintaining project files, requesting purchases for goods and services, ensuring submission of project deliverables and close-down.
• Perform administrative tasks for several projects including mobilization, demobilization, AP adjustments, vendor invoice review, Procure to Pay requisitions, and iExpense auditing.
• Conduct routine auditing of grant and operations files to ensure compliance with USAID and DAI policies and procedures. Maintains files and ensures record retention compliance.

Contract Management

• Initiate requests for approvals, coordinates submissions for contract and subcontract modifications and coordinates all other requests for contract office support.
• Draft routine contractual documents using approved templates.
• Identify and synthesize potential issues and present possible solutions to Project Manager, Contracts Administrator and project team.
• Monitor compliance with contract and regulations and escalates as needed.

Financial Management

• Responsible for ensuring processing and review of project financial transactions and monthly project invoices.
• Review and process invoices and audits iExpense Reports.
• Create and/or maintain project budget tool and coordinates data entry from field and home office into project contract budget.
• Support monthly financial analysis, quarterly forecasts, and ad hoc financial reporting when requested. During realignments, identifies and trouble-shoots issues.

Business Development

• Serves as Proposal Pricer for proposals in their portfolio or other portfolios as needed.

Additional responsibilities as deemed necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of relevant administrative or professional experience and a college degree in a related area, such as business administration, management, accounting, or related field. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Strong administrative skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication.
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office, especially quantitative analysis in Excel.
• Flexibility to adjust to changes in demands, new situations, or approaches.
• Ability to take initiative, with strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Must be able to travel on assignments for DAI projects to all countries in which DAI implements projects.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Based in one of the following U.S. locations where DAI is registered: District of Columbia, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with US Government project management.
• Proficiency in a second language (French, Spanish, Russian, or Arabic preferred).

USG Business Unit Core Competencies

All staff hired into positions within the USG Business at DAI are expected to demonstrate these competences throughout their work and interactions with others.

• Collaborates Effectively: Recognizes the benefit of working with others from multicultural backgrounds; believes collaboration can lead to better and stronger contributions to USG; views relationships as long-term and meaningful; Communicates with empathy to cross-cultural audiences.
• Champions Inclusion: Treats others with honesty, respect, and consideration; promotes cross-cultural understanding and inclusion throughout the organization; demonstrates appreciation for the complex environments in which DAI works.
• Performs with Excellence: Thrives in all aspects of your role and fosters an open and energizing environment that motivates self and peers to contribute their personal best and is reflective of USG’s vision and mission.
• Creates Innovative Solutions: Problem solves and broadens perspectives, while overcoming biases to find solutions to complex challenges; seeks opportunities to experiment with new approaches and grow/develop the skills of oneself and others.
• Drives Growth: Able to weigh the costs and benefits of actions both internally and externally and their impact on diverse markets and stakeholders; Understands priorities and behaviors necessary for personal and organizational growth.
• Navigates Risk: Integrates risk considerations into all aspects of work and planning; understands benchmarks for escalation of a risk-related issue or concern; makes decisions by gathering input from others and displaying trust of their recommendations, while also taking accountability for outcomes.

Compensation & Benefits

For regular positions (includes US based LTTA)

For employees working in the United States, the full-time equivalent annual base salary for this position is expected to be between $56,626 to $61,622. Salary for part-time employees will be prorated based on actual hours worked. 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.

For employees working outside of the United States, compensation and benefits will vary based on location.

Equal Employment Opportunity

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism 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 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 of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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