Grants Specialist Program

Aziz Ahmadzai

240-***-**** ****.************@*****.***

Professional Summary

Highly skilled and driven individual with more than 18 years of professional experience in US government & contracted international organizations (DHHS, Department of State and USAID) managed million dollars of federal grants with from pre-award to close-out. Proven problem-solving and communication abilities. Prides self on being a team player and utilizing excellent interpersonal and communication skills to clearly explain and contribute ideas. Cleared Public Trust security clearance. Relevant Experience

Highlight Technologies, LLC Washington DC, District of Columbia Senior Program Specialist –As a Federal Contractor 40 hrs. /week -July 2022– Current DHHS, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Head Start (OHS) American Indian & Alaska Native Programs-Region 11

• Establish and maintain contact with grantees in order to determine implementation strategies utilized by grantees.

• Monitor grant activities for conventional or pre-established grantee/contractor programs.

• Review grant applications and work statements received from perspective grantees/contractors

• Collect and analyze data, provide information and advice, and prepare, update, monitor, and report on designated program operations and grantee activities, issues and accomplishments.

• Coordinate, carry out and monitor special projects and initiatives focused on grantees in designated programs.

• Prepare reports addressing the specific areas analyzed and identifying significant internal control weaknesses and other issues discovered in the analysis with corrective action recommendations.

• Review, study, monitor, analyze and evaluate financial, narrative, and statistical reports and program data submitted at the local, state, regional, and federal levels.

• Plan, monitor, and evaluate the progress of designated program operations especially those dealing with social services, education and training activities and prepare recommendations for improving program quality and performance.

• Mentor and provide support to new staff to work independently

• Prepare descriptive background and analytical reports, memoranda, and other types of written responses for reports to senior management, supervisors, team leaders, and staff on significant issues of legislative and operational concern within the incumbent’s area of specialization.

Highlight Technologies, LLC Washington DC, District of Columbia Program Specialist –As a Federal Contractor 40 hrs. /week -October 2018– July 20 DHHS, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Head Start (OHS) American Indian & Alaska Native Programs-Region 11

• Establish and maintain contact with grantees in order to determine implementation strategies utilized by grantees.

• Monitor grant activities for conventional or pre-established grantee/contractor programs.

• Review grant applications and work statements received from perspective grantees/contractors

• Collect and analyze data, provide information and advice, and prepare, update, monitor, and report on designated program operations and grantee activities, issues and accomplishments.

• Coordinate, carry out and monitor special projects and initiatives focused on grantees in designated programs.

• Prepare reports addressing the specific areas analyzed and identifying significant internal control weaknesses and other issues discovered in the analysis with corrective action recommendations.

• Review, study, monitor, analyze and evaluate financial, narrative, and statistical reports and program data submitted at the local, state, regional, and federal levels.

• Plan, monitor, and evaluate the progress of designated program operations especially those dealing with social services, education and training activities and prepare recommendations for improving program quality and performance. United States Embassy (State Department) Kabul, Afghanistan Program Officer/Grants Management Assistant 40 hrs. /week -February 2014 – November 2017

• Assured compliance with CFR 200 for grants and cooperative agreements worth more than $90M

• Advised potential grantees with applications and answered questions during solicitation process

• Reviewed proposals to ensure they were accurate, realistic, and met U.S. regulations

• Reviewed SF 425 financial reports, PPR narrative reports, and made amendments based on the need of our partners

• Involved throughout pre-award, award, post award, and closeout process, including notice of award, budget negotiation, notional disbursement schedule, pre-award survey, M&E plan, and single audit review.

• Performed other administration work to maintain the project cycle and help implementing partners complete projects International Relief Development (IRD)/ACAP II Kabul, Afghanistan Grants Development and Technical Training Deputy Manager 40 hrs. /week-November 2012 – February 2014

• Developed humanitarian assistance small grants packages for 600 families

• Reviewed applications, edited documents, and gave feedback to the field staff on the submitted applications for completion

• Provided ongoing capacity building to the field staff on grant development practices, processes and procedures

• Supported compliance officers with tracking implementation of deliverables, and progress toward targets

• Maintained well-organized electronic and paper files on training and program compliance activities at the regional level

• Assisted in the organization of training workshops and events, participated in grants review committee meetings Counterpart International Kabul, Afghanistan

Grants Officer 40 hrs. /week-October 2010 – November 2012

• Implemented Initiative to Promote Afghan Civil Society (IPACSII), a $45M Project funded by USAID to build a more democratic, prosperous and gender-equitable society in Afghanistan

• Prepared and released RFAs to the firms; reported to Director and Grants Manager

• Arranged bid-opening sessions, and held negotiation meetings with the grantees

• Involved in technical/cost evaluation (GTEC) of received proposals, and communicated with grantees and implementing partners

• Collected and sorted information for progress reports, and maintained grant report tracking sheets

• Provided support to the Grant Manager in developing detailed project activity sheets, liaising with grantee organizations, and drafting sub-granting agreements, impact reports, quarterly progress reports and success stories.

• Liaised with finance department for review of quarterly financial reports, proposals screenings, and GTEC sessions Development Alternative Incorporation (DAI) Kabul, Afghanistan Grants Specialist 40 hrs. /week-December 2009 – September 2010

• Developed LGCD’s sub-grants program by identifying appropriate organizations, exploring the feasibility of including gender transformative aspects and conflict mitigation programming when necessary

• Provided procedural policy guidance and interpretation for program staff and sub-grantees

• Analyzed and evaluated grant proposals and awards to ensure adherence to LGCD grant management policies

• Ensured proper negotiation of terms and conditions for sub-grants, prepared grant documentation for submission

• Reviewed and analyzed budget estimates for consistency International City/Country Management Association (ICMA) Kabul, Afghanistan Municipal Public Finance Advisor 40 hrs. /week -March/2009 – November 2009

• Assisted Senior Advisor in developing and implementing the public Finance program

• Provided in-office mentoring and training to municipal level accounting, budgeting, finance and procurement staff

• Made recommendations to mayor and /or Director of Finance on municipal practices and systems

• Introduced and provided hands-on training on accounting and project tracking software, cost-tracking spreadsheets

• Assisted in preparation and submittal of annual municipal budgets and quarterly reports

• Periodically audited accounting, finance, and procurement practices used by city

• Produced management reports and supply information needed to support monitoring and evaluation Education History

Swiss UMEF University of Afghanistan Kabul, Afghanistan Master of Business Administration (MBA), Specialized in Public Administration 2016 Maiwand Institute of Higher Education Kabul, Afghanistan Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Specialized in Management 2013 Kardan University Kabul, Afghanistan

Diploma in Business Administration (DBA) Specialized in Finance 2008 Key Skills

CERTIFICATIONS: PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROFESSION (PMP) 35 CONTACT HOURS /PDUS COURSE Certified Assistance Professional - Certified Acquisition Professional- Grants & Contracting Officer Representative COR GENERAL: Budget analysis, Grants management, Proposal development, Federal rules and regulations COMPUTER AND GRANTS SOFTWARE: Head Start Enterprise System (HSES) Grant Solutions, System Award Management System (SAMS), Grants database, QuickBooks, TAMIS and Microsoft Office Programs. AWARDS: TWO Mission Honor Awards, Department of State (2015, 2016), Customer Service Award, Department of State (2017) LANGUAGES: Fluent in spoken and written English, Pashto, Persian/Dari, Hindi and Urdu

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