Head Start Grantee Specialist- Service Area XI AI/AN

ICF seeks an American Indian and Alaska Native Region (AIAN) Grantee Specialist to provide high-quality training and technical assistance that improves the capacity of AIAN and Early Head Start programs to meet or exceed the national Head Start Performance Standards. The Grantee Specialist will work with programs to build capacity in regards to the Head Start systems including fiscal, health, facilities/transportation, and planning as well as to provide technical assistance in meeting and maintaining compliance of federal regulations.

The Grantee Specialist will work with grantees in understanding all Head Start Regulations. A thorough knowledge of the Head Start Performance Standards and experience with AIAN culture is required. The Grantee Specialist will deliver training and technical assistance and consultation with directors, staff and parents and will use reliable data collection systems to track measurable outcomes for children and programs.

This position is home-based in the U.S. and will involve extensive travel up to 50% of the time to programs across the United States where the candidate is assigned.
Key Responsibilities:

- Act as a change agent in fiscal, administrative, and management areas, incorporating activities that include governing body and policy group involvement in the development/revision of fiscal, management, and administrative activities for long-term improvements.

- Work with leaders within an organization to plan and assist in the implementation of changes that resolve deficiencies and non-compliances.

- Plan and implement strategic interventions with grantees that have been designated deficient or as having serious non-compliance issues.

- Work with Federal Regional staff in developing strategies for grantee intervention and plan outcomes that address problem areas for all affected grantees.

- Coordinate with other Grantee Specialist and Early Childhood Education staff to identify ways to address administrative and program improvements in a comprehensive and holistic manner.

- Review, interpret and utilize a broad array of data to identify trends, and assist each assigned grantee to use the information to establish objectives for change and identify steps and processes needed for implementation.

- Analyze existing grantee structure, functions and capacity and propose a redesign of structure(s), functions and systems that support quality program operations.

- Recommend ways to improve overall grantee operations, including the development of operations manuals, internal procedures such as audit resolution processes, and identification of appropriate management and administrative procedures to strengthen grantee management practices.

Basic Qualifications:

- A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a field related to Program Design and Management, Business Management, Accounting, Public or Non-Profit Administration, or Project Management (with fiscal emphases).

- 5+ years of demonstrated experience in providing technical assistance required, specifically on issues pertaining to governance, fiscal management systems and administrative issues within Head Start. Knowledge of management and related issues and demonstrated ability to apply such knowledge.

- Experience providing training at State, Regional, or National Meetings and technical assistance to individual organizations.

- Must have valid driver's license and successfully pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check

Preferred Skills/Experience:

- Master’s Degree in a field related to Program Design and Management, Business Management, Accounting, Public or Non-Profit Administration, or Project Management (with fiscal emphases).

- Experience in a leadership position within a Head Start program or other early learning program (Executive Director, Assistant Director, Program Director, Chief Finance Officer).

- Knowledge and experience performing fiscal management preferred.

- Working knowledge of and experience with web-