TRAction Senior Project Coordinator

University Research Co., LLC (URC)

URC is a global company dedicated to improving the quality of health care, social services, and health education worldwide. With a non-profit affiliate, the Center for Human Services (CHS), URC manages projects in over 45 countries, including the United States.

Established in 1965, URC offers a range of technical assistance to strengthen health and social systems and service quality by empowering communities and health workers to identify and scale up locally appropriate solutions to critical problems. Internationally, we expand access to and improve the quality of services addressing maternal, newborn, and child health; infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria; reproductive health and family planning; food and nutrition; and vulnerable children and families. In the US, we focus on improving communication related to issues like substance abuse, with a particular focus on reaching underserved populations.

URC’s mission is to provide innovative, evidence-based solutions to health and social challenges worldwide. Please join us in carrying out our mission (http://www.urc-chs.com/).

Division & Project Overview:

The Translating Research into Action Project (TRAction) is a global initiative dedicated to addressing research gaps in how to effectively introduce, implement and scale-up priority evidence-based interventions in the areas of Maternal Neonatal Child Health (MNCH), Family Planning and Malaria.

The project’s primary objective is to solicit and manage a research grant process that will meet USAID’s project objectives and also strengthen the research capacity of host country collaborators. The project works with USAID/Washington; USAID missions; regional, host country and U.S. research organizations; other USAID MNCH projects; as well as other donors and service-delivery partners and Ministries of Health to achieve the project’s objectives. The TRAction Project disseminates research results and supports efforts to translate research results into improved introduction and scale-up of proven innovations in developing countries.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The (Senior) Project Coordinator’s primary responsibility is to provide administrative and financial backstopping support to TRAction. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Ensure that program inputs are mobilized when needed, including in the areas of consultants and home office technical assistance, contracts, budgets, procurement and HR, to support the achievement of project deliverables.
• Systematize the monitoring of achievement of various processes and contract deliverables through the development and use of project trackers. Use and maintain project trackers to ensure sound financial, administrative, and programmatic management of the projects and anticipate technical/program support needs and priorities.
• Work closely with project management to systematize knowledge management processes for efficient program implementation and for appropriate dissemination of research results.
• Review monthly project expenditures against budget and update financial tracker. Prepare written analyses of spending as needed. Coordinate monthly expenditure reviews. Alert project management to necessary contractual or management actions based on that review (i.e., line-item re-allocations, extensions needed etc.)
• Provide administrative, technical and financial management support to subawardees and staff. This involves tracking project expenses, reviewing and processing monthly field reports, and assisting in the preparation of project budgets.
• Provide backstop support for expatriate staff, including coordinating posting, travel from post, and processing allowances.
• Review monthly financial reports in accordance with contractual requirements and US Government regulations, including thorough review of expense vouchers for accuracy and correctness. Provide written certifications of review, as required.
• Ensure that contractually and URC required approvals (e.g., waivers, task orders, and approval memos) are obtained, and prepare justifications supporting those actions in coordination with senior technical and management staff at HQ and country levels as needed.
• Process documentation needed to recruit, contract, and monitor consultants and subcontractors; perform the actions necessary to initiate appropriate contractual mechanisms.
• Assist senior technical and program staff in the development of annual workplans and accompanying budgets.
• Assist in organizing RFA and applications processes, review meetings, review panel reports as requested, and sub-grantee orientation and capacity building as needed.
• Assist in developing and ensuring quality of project deliverables to include reports, summaries and success stories. These deliverables may require writing, editing, proofreading, translating and/or coordinating translation services.
• Assist with management of sub-agreements, including review of monthly expenditure vouchers against budgets, coordinating of regular partners’ meetings, and monitoring subcontractor technical inputs.
• Coordinate project activities with partners and other organizations as appropriate. Prepare for meetings and presentations of project activities (set up meetings, develop PowerPoint presentations, etc.)
• Oversee travel arrangements for technical assistance visits in compliance with USAID regulations and obtain necessary approvals.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic and paper filing systems for the project.
• Assist with proposal development and provide support to other projects as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree PLUS five years’ experience for Sr. Project Coordinator; 2-3 years of experience for Project Coordinator; in project coordination/management role is required.
• Prior experience providing financial, administrative, communications, and/or logistical coordination and support is required.
• Budgeting skills are required.
• Prior experience in research grants management and/or the administration of research programs is desired.
• Familiarity with federal contract procedures and regulations is strongly desired.
• Prior experience working in developing countries is desired.
• Ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced organization, work independently and collaboratively, while exhibiting flexibility in handling multiple tasks with strong attention to detail and follow-through is required.
• Ability to interact effectively with all levels of internal and external clients and to ask questions and seek clarification on project assignments is essential
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally as needed is required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.
• Computer literacy is required. Advanced skills in Excel and MS Word a must.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please apply via our careers page at www.urc-chs.com/careers/