Award and Compliance Manager

About KIND 

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied and separated children who are forcibly displaced from their countries of origin. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety. 

Building on its extensive programming and successful model in the United States, KIND is expanding in the Americas and Europe to bring its experience to bear in working with unaccompanied and separated children. Our work focuses on addressing the legal and mental health needs of this population; building strong partnerships and engaging in training and capacity strengthening with governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and advocating for systemic and pragmatic reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.

Position Summary

KIND seeks an Award and Compliance Manager who will be responsible for the overall coordination, oversight and day-to-day management of the administrative, award and contract compliance requirements.  The incumbent supports funded projects to ensure that they are managed in accordance with all statutes, regulations, including the Uniform Guidance and the FAR, and KIND policies, processes, and procedures. The Award and Contract Compliance Manager will be responsible for overseeing and managing a team of professionals in the area of subcontracts, subawards, awards management and compliance.  This role is a key position, which leads the Awards Management and Compliance section of the Finance, Contracts and Compliance team.  The successful applicant must have a strong understanding and experience in managing government acquisition and assistance awards, exceptional leadership skills, and have the ability to maintain financial integrity while adhering to relevant regulations and guidelines, to ensure that KIND remains compliance with all applicable contract rules and regulations.  

This position reports to the Senior Director, Finance, Contracts and Compliance. 

This a headquarters position based remotely from any location in the U.S.

Note: Hiring for this position is contingent upon KIND being awarded funding under a 5-year government contract.  

• Awards Management, Subaward and Subcontract Management, and Compliance 
• Works closely with the Senior Director- Finance, Contracts and Compliance in developing and implementing a risk-based compliance monitoring and awards management program. 
• Serves as the technical expert on funder compliance rules and regulations and is an expert in the field of USG acquisition and assistance awards management and procedures.  
• Serves as a key point of contact for awards and contract compliance issues and concerns.  
• Oversees administrative contract and award activities, including overall policies, practices, and procedures related to all aspects of awards and contract management from contract award to contract close-out.  
• Oversees Subcontracts and Subawards Officers responsible for subcontract and subaward management and monitoring to ensure compliance with prime-contract requirements, including leading the risk assessment process and working with the Contracts and Procurement team on vetting and due diligence reviews of potential and existing sub awardees, partners and subcontractors.   
• As KIND continues to grow, this position oversees a Compliance Officer and Awards Management Specialist who are responsible awards management and compliance functions related to KIND’s award portfolio including US and foreign government contracts, cooperative agreements and grants; foundation grants; contributions and donations and private funders.  
• Works closely with the KIND’s Contracts and Procurement Manager, on contracts and procurement management and concerns to ensure compliance with prime-contract requirements and KIND procurement policies.   
• Assists in developing awards management, compliance and subaward related workforce training on compliance and award management with Federal regulations and KIND policies and requirements. 
• In close coordination with various KIND legal and finance staff, responsible for the award and contracts compliance review process to ensure that the projects are meeting those requirements.   
• Communicates and liaises with counterparts at various levels of the organization to resolve any issues or compliance concerns of the project.  
• Makes recommendations on allowability and allocability of costs and activities under the prime contract award, as well as all subcontracts. 
• Oversees and ensures completion of funder and/or auditor-required compliance reports for the project 
• Provide advice on award and contract terms and conditions, including subcontracts. 
• In conjunction with KIND Finance leadership team, facilitates award and contract compliance management by proposing and implementing financial and administrative control systems and tools 
• Develops, tracks and administers systems and supports KIND Finance efforts to monitor, track, and report related award and contract management, special contract provisions, and audit requirements including maintenance of complete contract award files 
• Assists with internal & external audits, reviews, and site visits related awards and contracts, including those involving KIND Field Offices, Headquarters and subcontractors and partners.  
• Keeps abreast of and briefs all staff on changes to funder rules and regulations, including US governments, foreign governments, foundations and private funders.  
• Works closely with the Senior Director, Finance, Contracts and Compliance, to ensure KIND policies and processes related to awards management and compliance are documented and developed in accordance with funder rules and regulations.  
• Provides advice and guidance to program teams on the resolution of complex contract compliance issues. 
• Implements systems to ensure terms and conditions of the contract are aligned with KIND policies and best business practices 
• Participates in relevant meetings pertaining to awards management and compliance concerns.  
• Develops and maintains reference and training materials related to the awards management and compliance.  
• Supervises and implements day-to-day awards management and compliance activities related to reporting, accounting, budget, finance, and subaward/subcontract agreements to ensure that they are consistent with KIND’s policies and procedures 
• Ensures audit readiness and assists in preparation for any audits, reviews and/or site visits.  
• Oversees of maintaining entity registrations and insurance tracking and compliance.  

• Leadership and Management 
• Oversees and provides leadership and guidance to Subcontract and Subaward Officers, Compliance Officer and an Awards Management Specialist  
• Provides professional accountability and uncompromising fulfillment of procedures, policies, and regulations is critical.  
• Responsible for providing guidance, direction, and support to KIND’s Finance, leadership and management teams.  
• In close coordination with the Senior Director, Finance, Contracts and Compliance, assists in oversight and development of awards management and compliance policies, processes, templates, and workforce training, including creating materials, to ensure compliance and adherence to funder guidelines and requirements. 
• Works closely with KIND staff to build workforce capacity in awards management and compliance.  
• Develops and delivers workforce trainings aimed at strengthening awards management and compliance at KIND.  

• Graduate degree in relevant field required. Advanced Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, or related field preferred or relevant certification (such as a CPA).
• Minimum of four (4) years of progressive work experience in the area of award and contract management, compliance, audit or related fields. 
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience in the management of Federal government contracts (acquisition awards) is highly preferred.  
• Minimum of four (4) years of manager-level experience in Federal grants, contracts, and compliance management and administration (preferably awarded from the Department of Health and Human Services)  
• Experience in managing subcontracts and subawards under government funded projects.   
• Advanced expert understanding of 2 CFR 200, Cost Principles, GAAP, GAAS, FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) 
• Relevant experience in management of USG funded awards (grants and contracts) in an international NGO (or similar) operations context is required 
• Able to explain complex legal, regulatory, and administrative information to a broad range of individuals from various backgrounds 
• Experience working in similar non-profit organizations 
• Financial management skills  
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. 
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to work accurately with complex financial data. 
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (such as Teams, Excel, etc.).
• Ability to work collaboratively and multi-task in our KIND environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment; ability to prioritize tasks and delegate as appropriate.
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles.
• Commitment to prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, as well as embracing transparency and authenticity in daily work life.
• Be disciplined and nimble to ensure delivery on our core mission of access to justice and protection of children’s wellbeing and rights.
• Ability to multitask and work with a sense of urgency in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.
• Experience working and communicating in a remote environment. 

Our Benefits

- Medical, dental, and vision insurance with KIND paying 100% of the employee only portion of the premium for one of the two medical plan options, dental, and vision. 

- Pre-tax flexible spending account (FSA) for both medical and dependent care.  

- Pre-tax transit and parking spending account.  

- Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.  

- Employer-paid short and long-term disability insurance.  

For a complete list of benefits, please click here. 

Our Focus on Wellness

KIND recognizes that our ability to help our clients starts with helping our team members. KIND has prioritized wellness for employees through Mindfulness and Wellness Trainings, Wellness Platforms, Employee Assistance and Resilience Programs, Time Away and Office Wellness Activities. 

For more information regarding our Wellness initiatives please visit this link.  

Application Instructions

To be considered for this role, please submit an employment application at supportkind.org/join-the-team, along with your resume and cover letter.

KIND has an organization-wide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to create a work environment where everyone has a sense of belonging. Individuals from historically underrepresented or underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer: KIND is committed to an ethical recruitment and hiring process and maintains a firm “no fees” recruitment policy. We will never charge a fee or ask for money as part of the application process. KIND also conducts all interviews via telephone or video conference, and at no time will KIND engage in a text or mobile app-based application or interview process. For more information, please visit the following website: https://supportkind.org/join-the-team/kind-employment-practices/.