Financial Grants Manager, CODA (Cause of Death Assistant)

Vital Strategies, headquartered in New York City, is an international public health organization. Our programs strengthen public health systems and address the world’s leading causes of illness, injury and death. We work in more than 70 countries, supporting data-driven decision-making in government, advancing evidence-based public health policies, and mounting strategic communication campaigns. Vital Strategies’ priorities are driven by the greatest potential to improve and save lives. They include non-communicable disease prevention, tobacco control, road safety, food policy, environmental health, civil registration and vital statistics, and overdose prevention. Our programs are concentrated in low- and middle-income countries and cities in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific. Please visit our website atwww.vitalstrategies.orgto find out more about our work.

Vital Strategies believes our programs are strengthened when they are developed and supported by individuals with diverse life experiences, whose understanding of social and cultural issues can help make our work and workforce more inclusive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or creed, gender, national origin, ancestry, actual or perceived age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, marital status, sexual orientation, predisposing genetic characteristics, alienage or citizenship status, gender (including gender identity or expression), partnership status, arrest or conviction record, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws.

About Gates’ Cause of Death Assistant project (CODA):

The Cause of Death Assistant (CODA) is a four-year initiative to design, test, and release an AI-powered tool for cause of death assignment in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). CODA will address critical data gaps by improving the accuracy and timeliness of mortality data at both facility and community levels. The initiative is implemented by a consortium of global partners, with Vital Strategies serving as a CODA Consortium and Research Agenda Lead. Other consortium partners include an Algorithm Development Lead and an IT and Software Development Lead. Governance will be provided by a Governing Board and technical rigor overseen by a Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). The SAC will convene Technical Working Groups (TWGs) to respond to specific technical demands encountered in the development of CODA and will be heavily involved in building research agendas. The project will be implemented in three phases: 1. Prototyping, 2. Experimentation, and 3. Piloting and Product Release. It is anticipated that by the end of the project, CODA will be positioned for adoption by countries, supported by regional Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in Africa and South Asia.

Job Purpose:

The Financial Grants Manager will be responsible for the contractual, financial, budgeting, and reporting for the assigned grant portfolio and will work in close collaboration with the program team, the Finance & Administration Division, external contractors, and vendors.

The Financial Grants Manager will prepare donor financial reports and accompanying narratives, projections, budget submissions/authorizations, and respond to requests for financial information and audits. They will ensure the accuracy, quality, and timelessness of all financial transactions charged to the grant and approve disbursements and reconciliation of project funds transferred to sub-grantees. The Financial Grants Manager will also review all invoices and staff/consultant payment requests presented for approval before submission to Accounting, and serves as a point of financial contact for all vendors working on this project.

This role may be based in the tri-state or District of Columbia areas. Vital is also open to qualified applicants from other global regions. The candidate must have authorization to work legally in the respective country at the time of hire. If based in the tri-state area, the candidate must follow Vital’s hybrid work schedule. Vital Strategies offers highly competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits. The salary range for this position is $85,000 USD to $95,000 USD;

Duties and Responsibilities:

Financial Management -

• Serve as the primary grants management support for the assigned grant portfolio;
• Provide scheduled financial donor reports/projections, budget submissions/authorizations, and respond to requests for financial information and support to audits;
• Create monthly cash flow reports, respond to subgrantee data requests, and develop fiscal year and reforecast expense budgets in collaboration with program teams;
• Work with the Business Intelligence Analyst to update Power BI budget dashboard reports and ensure accurate accounting of incurred commitments and expenses;
• Provide budget updates and projections to inform the business decisions of project leadership;
• Ensure the accuracy, quality, and timeliness of commitment and expense data to accurately complete scheduled financial donor reports/ projections, budget submissions/authorizations, and respond to requests for financial information and support to audits;
• Review and submit all contractor invoices and consultant/staff expense reports to Accounting for payment processing and work to troubleshoot any problems that arise with payment execution.

Contracting -

• Review and approve all assigned requisition forms and agreement financial clauses, payment terms, financial reporting schedules, etc;
• Assist in the negotiation of vendor agreements as requested by the Program team;
• Provide orientation to vendors on matters related to payment and reporting terms included in their agreements and Vital invoice submission and requirements;
• Review all independent contractor and service provider requests for fee revision due to local currency exchange rate or inflation increases and make recommendations to contract managers;
• Review and reconcile financial reports from contractors, ensure they are completed according to grant reporting requirements, and submitted on time;
• Conduct risk assessments, or reassessments, of subgrantee contractors as determined by internal risk management policy;
• Keep abreast of, interpret, and provide guidance to assigned program staff on donor and organizational regulations and policies; educate staff on contract compliance and operational topics.

General -

• Assist the Director of Grant Management and Administration to ensure portfolio compliance with donor regulations, internal policies, and standard operating procedures;
• Assist in the review and development of Finance Department standard operating procedures;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education and Degree -

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business management, or a related field preferred.

Skills and Abilities -

• High attention to detail and accuracy;
• Advanced expertise in MS Excel, including proficiency in using pivot tables, V-lookups, and working knowledge of PowerPoint;
• Ability to multitask, and provide excellent customer service and courteous team support;
• Strong skills in establishing work priorities and the timely meeting of deadlines and milestones;
• Able to communicate with varied audiences clearly and credibly;
• Ability to work in an international setting with colleagues in different time zones;
• Ability to build impactful relationships across a diverse range of cultural, generational, ethnic, racial, educational, and social backgrounds;
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.

Experience:

Required -

• Minimum six to seven years of finance and/or grants management, and budgeting experience;
• Experience in reviewing financial data for donor reporting and creation of routine monitoring reports for budget holders;
• Experience working with global teams in multiple time zones.

Preferred -

• Experience working in a non-profit or foundation setting preferred;
• Experience using NetSuite and Vena.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• The position will be required to travel internationally up to 10% of the time to attend meetings;
• The candidate must be willing to work and be flexible with colleagues across different time zones.

Pending Funding:

• This opportunity is subject to the award of funding. Vital Strategies reserves the right not to fill this position should anticipated funding not be awarded.