Grants Program Assistant

PCI Government Services LLC; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

PCI Government Services LLC seeks a Grants Program Assistant to support the Bureau of African Affairs. The role is 100% on-site in Washington, DC, focusing on grants management, policy guidance, and documentation.

The candidate will review award packages, support grant lifecycle activities, draft SOPs and training materials, and deliver briefings. A Secret clearance or ability to obtain one is required, with 2+ years of relevant U.S. Government grants experience.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain a Secret clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field.
• Minimum of two years of recent experience supporting U.S. Government grants administration, grants management, or federal financial assistance programs.
• Working knowledge of Federal grants regulations, policies, and procedures, including 2 CFR 200 and Department of State requirements.
• Experience supporting the full grants lifecycle, including award processing, budget monitoring, compliance, reporting, and closeout activities.
• Knowledge of grants management systems, SharePoint, and Microsoft Office Suite, with proficiency in Excel for tracking and reporting.
• Experience developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), training materials, and delivering virtual or in-person training.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, brief leadership, and present information to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to collaborate across diverse environments.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently.

Responsibilities

• Review new award and amendment packages for compliance with USG grant regulations and feasibility of project implementation.
• Advise Public Diplomacy Sections on grants management, including federal policies, through remote support.
• Review NOFOs for compliance with USG grant regulations.
• Manage grants query inbox and liaise with State Department offices for information.
• Support Embassy and Consulate staff on grants issues; liaison with other bureaus as needed.
• Draft SOPs, guidance, training materials, and technical requirements for Grants Officers and Representatives.
• Provide guidance to address performance delays or policy changes.
• Create and deliver briefings and presentations to colleagues and officials on grants management and federal policy.
• Conduct virtual site visits to grant recipients in partnership with Grants Officers and Program Officers.
• Prepare reports on grant portfolios for ad hoc projects and stakeholders in Washington and AF.
• Manage the Grants SharePoint for the Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.

Skills

Grants management

Policy analysis

Communication skills

SharePoint

Microsoft Office

Training delivery

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration

Bachelor's degree in International Relations

Bachelor's degree in Finance

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

SharePoint

Excel

MS Word/PowerPoint

Job description

Summary

The Grants Program Assistant provides support to the Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs and reports to the Program Manager. The position is 100% on-site.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Review new award and amendment packages for compliance with USG grant regulations and general feasibility of project implementation, and provide recommendation to supervisors regarding approval or necessary changes;
• Advise Public Diplomacy Sections on grants management, including federal policies and regulations, through remote support throughout the year;
• Review Public Diplomacy Sections’ Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for compliance with USG grant regulations;
• Manage grants query inbox: respond to questions on grants management and policy; research and liaise with other State departments to obtain pertinent information;
• Support Embassy and Consulate staff in addressing grants-related issues; liaise with other State Bureaus, as appropriate;
• Draft standard operating procedures (SOPs), guidance, training materials, and technical requirements to support and inform PDS Grants Officers and Grants Officer Representatives;
• Provide information and guidance to Grants Officers and Grants Officer Representatives to address poor performance, unexpected delays or circumstances, or policy changes;
• Create and deliver briefings and presentations to colleagues, managers, and high-level officials on grants management and federal assistance policies, including at regional huddles, virtual trainings, out briefings for Foreign Service Officers in AF, and virtual training sessions for staff at AF posts;
• Conduct virtual site visits to federal grant recipients, in partnership with the Grants Officers, Grant Officer Representatives, and Program Officers;
• Conduct research, collect data, and prepare reports or presentations on the grant’s portfolios for ad hoc projects and other stakeholders in Washington and in AF, particularly the Office of the Inspector General (OIG);
• Manage the Grants SharePoint for the Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, ensuring all sites and documents are updated and available for use by Post colleagues.

Education and Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen and possess or be able to obtain a Secret clearance. Preference will be given to those with active security clearance.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, International Relations, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• Minimum of two (2) years of recent experience supporting U.S. Government grants administration, grants management, or federal financial assistance programs.
• Working knowledge of Federal grants regulations, policies, and procedures, including 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) and Department of State financial assistance requirements.
• Experience supporting the full grants lifecycle, including award processing, budget monitoring, compliance, reporting, and closeout activities.
• Knowledge of grants management systems, SharePoint, and Microsoft Office Suite, with proficiency in Excel for tracking and reporting.
• Experience developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), training materials, and delivering virtual or in-person training.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, brief leadership, and present information to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet competing deadlines, and work effectively in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish productive working relationships across diverse cultural and professional environments.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while exercising sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently.

PCI Federal (PCIF) and its subsidiaries are an equal‑opportunity employer. PCIF does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation or identity, Veterans or Disability status.

Preference may be extended to qualified Native American Indian candidates in accordance with applicable federal law.