Grants Coordinator - Compliance & Grant Operations

David H. Bendana

571-***-**** (mobile) - **********@*****.***

PROFILE

Senior grants management professional with 20+ years of experience administering complex grant portfolios across the full grant lifecycle, including RFAs, pre- and post-award management, compliance review, financial oversight, and closeout. Trusted advisor to senior leadership and program teams, with a strong track record of improving grant processes, mitigating risk, and defining workflow requirements for grant management systems to support efficient, compliant portfolio administration. Experienced people manager with a collaborative, service-oriented approach to supporting grantees, scientific/program staff, and institutional partners. CORE COMPETENCIES

● Full-Cycle Grant Administration (Pre-Award to Closeout)

● RFA Design, Launch & Management

● Grant Budget Review & Financial Oversight

● Grantee Due Diligence & Risk Assessment

● International Grant Compliance

● Grant Deliverables & Reporting Oversight

● Grant Management Systems & Workflow Design

● SOPs, Training & Process Improvement

● Staff Supervision & Mentorship

● Senior Stakeholder Engagement

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Program Analyst

USAID/LAC Bureau – Office of South America Affairs Washington, DC 07/2019 – 12/2025

● Improved grant cycle efficiency, reduced compliance risk, strengthened grantee performance, and ensured continuity of funding for priority initiatives under tight timelines.

● Served as primary point of contact for applicants, grantees, and institutional partners across a high-value grant portfolio, providing authoritative guidance on grant requirements, timelines, and compliance.

● Managed end-to-end grant administration for grants and cooperative agreements, including pre-award planning, budget review, award activation, post-award monitoring, amendments, and closeout.

● Reviewed grant budgets and financial reports, identifying risks early and ensuring funds are used in accordance with governing regulations and award terms.

● Oversaw compliance reviews for domestic and international grantees, including due diligence, eligibility verification, and assessment of financial and reputational risk.

● Coordinated RFA processes with program leadership, including development of application guidance, review schedules, evaluation coordination, and award documentation.

● Developed standardized templates and guidance (applications, award letters, reporting instructions, FAQs) aligned with system workflows, reducing applicant errors and streamlining grant activation.

● Prepared internal portfolio reports and briefings for senior leadership, supporting decision-making and strategic planning.

● Collaborated closely with systems and operations teams to improve grant tracking, reporting accuracy, and workflow efficiency.

Institutional Strengthening Team Leader

USAID/Peru – Office of Alternative Development

Lima, Peru 07/2016 – 07/2019

● Reduced operational and compliance risk while improving grantee capacity and on-time delivery of program results.

● Led administration and oversight of a $38M+ grant and contract portfolio, managing all phases from award setup through closeout.

● Supervised and mentored staff supporting grant administration, financial tracking, and compliance functions.

● Reviewed and approved budgets, modifications, extensions, and no-cost amendments, ensuring alignment with award terms and institutional policies.

● Standardized grant tracking and reporting processes across a multi-award portfolio, improving consistency in data entry, reporting timelines, and portfolio-level oversight within grant management systems.

● Strengthened due diligence and monitoring processes for grantees, improving compliance and financial accountability.

● Standardized reporting and review procedures reduce review time and improve consistency across the portfolio.

Deputy Development Officer / Regional Coordination Officer USAID/Afghanistan – Herat 04/2014 – 06/2016

● Managed complex, multi-sector grant portfolios in a high-risk operating environment, ensuring regulatory compliance and institutional safeguards.

● Oversaw grant deliverables, renewals, extensions, and closeouts, ensuring accurate documentation and financial reconciliation.

● Supervised and coordinated teams responsible for grants monitoring and reporting.

● Provided final review of grant performance and financial documentation prior to leadership submission.

● Maintained continuity of grant-funded programs under challenging conditions while strengthening internal controls and reporting discipline. Civilian-Military Program Specialist

USAID Office of Civilian-Military Cooperation 10/2008 – 04/2014

● Performed administrative research and analysis; prepared reports and briefing materials; and supported multi-agency coordination efforts.

Foreign Affairs Officer / Specialist

U.S. Department of State – Offices of Terrorism Finance and Cuban Affairs 2000 – 2008

● Conducted policy and regulatory analysis related to international sanctions and financial compliance programs.

● Prepared formal correspondence, briefing papers, congressional responses, and interagency memoranda. Coordinated closely with multiple federal agencies on compliance reviews and enforcement actions.

US Grant Analyst, Latin America Regional Office (LACRO) Catholic Relief Services, Baltimore, MD 1999 - 2000

● Administered USAID-funded grants across multiple countries, supporting budgeting, financial tracking, and compliance.

● Served as liaison between donors and program staff, ensuring accurate reporting and adherence to grant terms.

● Supported grant closeout and audits, contributing to positive donor relations. EDUCATION

M.A., International Development Studies – The George Washington University B.A., Anthropology, Minor in International Relations – Florida International University CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING

● Federal Acquisition Certification – Contracting Officer’s Representative (FAC-COR)

● Acquisition & Assistance Management

● Programming Foreign Assistance Awards

● Democracy, Human Rights & Governance (DRG) Fundamentals

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