Background:
Land O'Lakes Venture37 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to helping communities around the world build economies by strengthening local agriculture, helping agribusinesses create jobs and linking farmers to markets. Since 1981, it has implemented over 315 integrated dairy, livestock and crops development programs in nearly 80 countries — creating lasting impact by linking farmers, businesses, and the public and private sector in local and global contexts. Land O’Lakes Venture37’s long-standing affiliation with Land O’Lakes, Inc. sets it apart. Land O’Lakes, Inc. is one of largest United States farmer-owned cooperatives. It supports Land O’Lakes Venture37 project implementation with nearly 100 years of expertise in dairy, animal nutrition, crop inputs and agricultural insights and technologies. This gives Land O’Lakes Venture37 development projects a unique global view of agriculture, food and the power of well-functioning market systems. Land O’Lakes, Inc. supports these efforts as part of its enterprise purpose of Feeding Human Progress at home and around the world.
Position Summary:
The Grants and Procurement Manager is responsible for ensuring compliance with funder rules and regulations for projects within their portfolio as well as contributing to the Contracts and Compliance team efforts to continuously improve optimization of Cobblestone (award management system) and the quality and efficiency of compliance policies and processes. Represents Venture37 to funders in discussions and negotiations on contractual matters. Mut be a strong communicator and an excellent writer. Working in close collaboration with project teams, this person proactively identifies and resolves compliance matters and questions as they arise.
Key Responsibilities:
Identify areas for better utilization of existing features in Cobblestone, optimize Venture37’s use of the system for both efficiency and quality, roll out guidance on utilizing improved practices and procedures.
Draft and maintain contract and subaward records in award management system with the high level of rigor and attention to detail needed for audit files.
Responsible for training and monitoring project staff to ensure project records are maintained to a high standard.
Engages with auditors when questions of compliance and audit support arise.
Provides focused trainings and tailored coaching to project staff on Cobblestone (award management system), procurement, contracts, and subawards.
Serves as a knowledge resource for project teams and HQ staff on USAID, USDA, and non-USG rules and regulations for contracts and cooperative agreements.
Responsible for monitoring all aspects of contracts and compliance for projects within portfolio, identifying potential compliance issues proactively and alerting project staff as well as responding to compliance inquiries including creating customized contract and subaward templates, monitoring project activities for funder compliance.
Educates V37 staff on matters of compliance.
Review and assist in finalizing all Prime Funded Agreements.
Process and submit modifications to all subawards and Prime funded agreements.
Submit notifications and letters to donor to comply with the requirements of agreements, i.e., to receive approval on key personnel, or to request obligation increases.
Interact directly with donors on matters of compliance.
Proactively identify current Cobblestone features which are unutilized or underutilized and procedures which may need improvement and work with C&C team to design a software optimization plan.
Troubleshoot and continuously develop more efficient and effective use of the automated grants management system, must be a super user of the system.
Design training curriculum and provide training to HQ and worldwide staff who use system.
Responsible for proactively identifying and addressing compliance issues and training needs by working closely with project teams.
Answer advanced compliance questions and provide training to worldwide staff on compliance processes.
Up to 5% international travel.
Required Experience/Knowledge:
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with at least 4 years of experience in contracts and compliance.
At least 5 years of prior experience in grants management.
Proven teamwork and collaboration skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Basic financial analysis skills.
Prior experience with USAID, USDA or international development programming and practices.
Experience working on an automated grants management system.
Experience representing organization to USG and non-USG funders.
Preferred Experience/Knowledge:
- Advanced knowledge of USAID contracts regulations (FAR).
Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including pre- and post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.
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