Mercy Corps is Hiring a Consultant to Provide Expert Legal Support on US Government Grants and Contracts.
In the complex landscape of international development, Mercy Corps stands out as a leading global organization committed to fostering positive change across more than 40 countries. Driven by the belief that a better world is possible, Mercy Corps partners with communities, governments, and organizations to implement innovative solutions that help people overcome adversity and build resilient, thriving communities from within.
Navigating the Evolving Regulatory Environment
Amidst this mission, Mercy Corps faces an increasingly intricate regulatory environment concerning grants and contracts funded by the United States government. The landscape is rapidly shifting, with new policies and compliance requirements emerging regularly. This complexity necessitates a deep understanding of key regulatory frameworks, including 2 CFR 200 (the Uniform Guidance), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and their supplementary provisions.
The recent termination of a significant number of US government-funded projects has prompted Mercy Corps to undertake extensive project closeouts. Many of these projects involved collaboration with partner organizations acting as subrecipients. Managing these closures has revealed various legal challenges, highlighting the need for specialized legal expertise to ensure compliance, mitigate risks, and streamline processes.
Looking ahead, anticipated changes linked to shifting foreign assistance policies will require updates to existing subrecipient agreements, policy templates, and negotiation strategies. These updates are essential to maintain compliance and foster effective partnerships, underscoring the importance of engaging a legal consultant with specialized knowledge in US government grants and contracts.
The Role of the Legal Consultant
To address these needs, Mercy Corps is seeking a highly experienced legal consultant to provide strategic, expert-level support in navigating the current and future legal environment surrounding US government-funded awards. This consultant will play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance, minimizing legal risks, and supporting operational efficiencies across the organization.
Key Objectives and Activities
The consultant’s primary objectives include delivering expert guidance to adapt to evolving legal requirements and assisting in negotiations with donor agencies, subcontractors, and partners. Specific activities will encompass:
- Reviewing, updating, and enhancing legal templates such as award agreements, subawards, subcontracts, and related documents.
- Providing legal updates and recommendations to Mercy Corps’ policies, ensuring alignment with new US government legal requirements.
- Advising stakeholders on legal risks and potential impacts on business operations.
- Assisting in negotiations for awards and contracts, including with donor agencies and third parties.
- Monitoring changes in US government regulations, requirements, and supplements, and updating relevant documents and processes accordingly.
- Conducting due diligence on legal issues related to awards, contracts, and agreements.
- Supporting project closeouts and other legal tasks as directed by the organization’s General Counsel.
Deliverables and Outcomes
The consultant will produce several key deliverables, including:
- A comprehensive Subaward Manual.
- Approximately 12 subaward templates.
- Updated grant and contract templates tailored to current regulations.
- Guidance documents for sub-recipients and subcontractors, reflecting recent regulatory changes.
- Ongoing legal advice on subaward and contract management issues.
- Management of close-out processes and other legal actions with partners.
Engagement Timeline and Working Relationships
Immediate availability is required, with a work plan to be agreed upon upon engagement. The consultant will report directly to the General Counsel and work closely with Mercy Corps’ Legal Department, Grants and Contracts Service Unit (GCSU), and other relevant teams such as Program Managers, Desk Officers, and International Finance.
Qualifications and Skills
Candidates should possess:
- Between 5 and 10 years of experience working with US government-funded foreign assistance projects.
- Proven expertise in drafting and negotiating USG agreements, grants, and contracts.
- Deep understanding of USG regulations, particularly 2 CFR 200, FAR, and related supplements.
- Experience managing various procurement mechanisms, including grants, cooperative agreements, and fixed-price or cost-reimbursement contracts.
- Preferably, prior in-house or direct experience with USG grant recipients.
Compensation
The daily rate and fee structure will be finalized based on the scope of work and the candidate’s experience, with specifics to be agreed upon during contracting.
Mercy Corps’ commitment to transparency, compliance, and effective partnership underscores the importance of this legal expertise. By leveraging specialized legal support, Mercy Corps aims to ensure the successful management of its US government-funded projects, safeguarding its mission to create lasting positive impact worldwide.
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