Associate Specialist, Project Management

DAI ESOP Inc.•Bethesda, MD

3d•$71,667 - $77,991•Onsite

About The Position

DAI is seeking an Associate Specialist, Project Management to support the successful delivery and growth of a portfolio of international development programs. The Associate specialist will provide operational, financial, contractual, and compliance oversight across the project lifecycle, helping project teams manage risks, solve challenges, monitor performance, and ensure alignment with client requirements and DAI policies. Working closely with home office and field-based colleagues, they will contribute to high-quality project implementation and development results across multiple countries and regions. In addition to project delivery responsibilities, the Associate Specialist will play an active role in business development by supporting proposal and pricing efforts, contributing country and client intelligence, engaging with partners, and helping position DAI for new opportunities. This role is ideal for a professional who combines strong project management skills with commercial awareness and enjoys working at the intersection of project delivery, portfolio management, and organizational growth. This is a full-time position, which requires authorization to work in the United States.

Requirements

More than 3 years of relevant, professional administrative or professional experience in project management of donor-funded programs, including at least one year of project management experience of USG-funded programs, and a college degree. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
More than 2 years of business development experience, supporting capture and proposal development for donor funded projects or corporate clients.
Strong administrative, analytical, and organizational skills, with demonstrated meticulous attention to detail.
Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and/or sensitive information with discretion.
Demonstrated ability to manage ambiguity, take initiative and problem solve.
Demonstrated flexibility in adjusting to changes in demands, new situations, or approaches.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including quantitative analysis using Excel.
Demonstrated understanding of USG and other clients regulatory and management requirements and ability to apply and adhere to those requirements in project management.
Demonstrated experience supporting U.S. government-funded budget management, such as building and maintaining pipelines and forecasts and supporting financial analysis.
Experience or familiarity with record retention and administrative file management.
Ability to work effectively in a team environment with limited direction.
Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate information clearly and tailor communication style to diverse audiences.
Experience building and maintaining collaborative, respectful relationships with colleagues and external clients at all levels and from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Willingness to adjust work schedule as needed to support teams located in different time zones/countries.
Willingness to travel to any country where DAI operates and the DAI Global Security team deems it safe for travel.
Authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Professional proficiency in a second language (Spanish, French, or Arabic preferred).
Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software and other data management systems.

Responsibilities

Support projects throughout the award lifecycle, from start-up and implementation through closeout.
Serve as a primary liaison to project teams, providing day-to-day operational guidance, problem-solving support, and timely resolution of project challenges, escalating complex issues and recommended solutions as appropriate.
Monitor operational, financial, contractual, and compliance risks, proactively identifying issues and recommending mitigation measures.
Coordinate and oversee project operational and administrative activities, including management of project staff and consultant documentation, procurement requests, deliverable tracking, and ensuring timely completion of project requirements.
Perform and monitor key project transactions and processes, including requisitions, vendor payments, accounts payable submissions, expense report reviews, and the mobilization and demobilization of staff and consultants for international assignments.
Conduct reviews and audits of project, grant, subcontract, and operational files to ensure compliance with client requirements, DAI policies and procedures, and record retention standards.
Build and maintain productive working relationships with project teams, technical staff, corporate services teams, clients, subcontractors, consultants, and other stakeholders.
Contribute to cross-project and cross-portfolio knowledge sharing and provide specialized project support as needed.
Draft accurate, complete, and well-written requests for internal and client approvals, coordinate submissions for contract and subcontract modifications, and coordinate all other requests for contract office support.
Draft routine and advanced contractual documents efficiently using approved templates with limited or no support.
Identify and synthesize moderately complex contractual issues and propose possible solutions to Portfolio Lead and project team based on a demonstrated, advanced understanding of client (such as USG, FCDO etc) contracting requirements and DAI policies and procedures.
Monitor compliance with contract and regulations and escalate issues with possible solutions, as needed.
Advise subcontractors and consultants on basic and routine subcontract questions, budget, compliance, and operational issues.
Review and process project financial transactions and monthly project invoices independently.
Review and process consultant, subcontractor, and vendor invoices through DAI’s financial management system independently.
Create and/or maintain project budgeting tool and coordinate data entry from project and home office with infrequent guidance.
Support monthly financial analysis, quarterly forecasts, risk identification, and ad hoc financial troubleshooting and reporting as requested with limited guidance from the Portfolio Lead.
Contribute to strategic decisions about project financial performance and draft analysis and recommendations for course corrections, as required or requested.
Draft budget modifications with limited guidance.
Contribute to the development of a pipeline of opportunities for the portfolio and support capture efforts as needed.
Serve as Proposal Coordinator or Proposal Pricer for proposals in their portfolio or other portfolios, as needed.
Share country-specific information around client knowledge, partnering and local staffing.
Additional responsibilities as deemed necessary.