InsideNGO's Operational Excellence Week
USAID Rules & Regulations: Grants & Cooperative Agreements
February 20-22, 2012
Nairobi, Kenya
This workshop is full. We will be offering this workshop again in Nairobi June 12-14.
To register, click here.
Overview
International organizations that rely on USAID funding to support their programs often face many challenges in effectively managing these grants and cooperative agreements. The rules and regulations associated with award management are complex and often change. Organizations need staff members who understand how USAID awards work and can effectively manage the plethora of USAID – and other US Government - rules and regulations to maintain donor compliance.
Workshop outcomes:
This workshop will equip participants with a comprehensive knowledge of USAID grants and cooperative agreements. Participants will improve their ability to manage awards and build the confidence to guide their organizations through successful award implementation. Participants will return to work equipped to navigate the circulars, handbooks, and other rules and regulations that underlie all USAID and USG awards, and with strategies for building and coordinating relationships that are critical to successful USAID award and program management.
What you will learn:
Participants will review the details of all the regulations and policies that govern management of grants and cooperative agreements. Each participant will build their own manual of updated regulations and policies to use as a daily reference guide to manage awards. Everyday issues encountered in award management such as; determining allowable costs; correct procedures for purchasing equipment; limits on budget revisions; record retention and avoiding common audit findings, etc. will be addressed with strategies for finding the answers to these confusing issues. The workshop also offers participants a unique opportunity to connect with peers, examine the realities of managing USAID awards, gain ideas from each other’s experiences and develop strategies for handling real-life situations. While the focus of this workshop will be on USAID funding for grants and cooperative agreements, it also provides a good foundation for understanding other types of federal funding.
The workshop is taught by a team of senior practitioners who represent decades of experience managing USAID grants and cooperative agreements - and who share their lessons learned. It is a highly participatory workshop that combines instruction with large and small group formats, ample Question and Answer time, and opportunities to speak with the trainers throughout.
Course objectives:
- Assess award implementation issues and learn to research the applicable rules and regulations
- Determine when approvals, waivers and extensions are required and how to obtain them
- Identify situations when you need to seek guidance from USAID or headquarters
- Apply USAID rules and regulations to ensure compliant and successful program implementation
- Determine how your organization’s internal policies will affect your award administration and recommend policy adjustments
- Understand the structure of USAID and how to build cooperative relationships with key players
- Prepare your organization to meet the criteria for successful audits
- Maintain appropriate files and documentation to be prepared for reports and audits
- Apply appropriate policies and procedures to award and manage sub-award funding
- Utilize USAID jargon for effective communication
- Practice solving real case-study challenges while working in small groups and referencing the regulations
Who should attend:
Finance, Contracts & Grants staff, Administrative staff, Program staff, Development staff, Independent auditors, USAID staff. Individuals who need to ensure compliance, understand requirements from a field perspective, understand relationships with USAID and negotiate awards, prepare for or conduct audits and, need an update to the latest USAID rules and regulations.
How do I register?:
Scroll down for the registration form and payment info. You can also register for this event by sending an email to workshops@InsideNGO.org and requesting a Registration Form. You can phone 203-226-3650 for further information on this workshop.
What you will receive:
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Course manual with primary government source documents affecting grants and cooperative agreements
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24 CPE credits (total for 3 days attendance) applicable for continuing education with the National Registry of CPE Sponsors (for further information see explanation of continuing education credits on this website)
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An opportunity to ask questions of experienced practitioners who have dealt with many of the same issues you encounter in your work
Earn CPE Credits
Participants at the workshop will earn 8 CPE credits for each day of the Workshop (for a total of 24 for the three days) and receive a certificate of attendance. The course level is beginner. No advance preparation is required. No prerequisites. Delivery method of this program is Group-Live.
InsideNGO is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.learningmarket.org.
Testimonials:
"Probably the best USAID rules and regs workshop there is."
"I feel rejuvenated & ready to practice the rules & regs - I understand my job better."
"I heard the training was good - but it was even better than I expected! I learned something new every hour.""[The training has] given me an insight and a broader view of all what I need to know and where to find information."
About the Trainers
Keith A. Edwards has more than 20 years experience in compliance, grants, contracts, procurement and inventory management, and administration in the non-profit field. He worked 15 years at EngenderHealth, most recently as their Director of Compliance. His extensive short term country visits and long term assignments throughout Africa and Asia have provided him with broad experience in field operations, writing SOPs, developing training curricula and knowledge and interpretation of donor and USAID rules and regulations. Keith served 4 years on the InsideNGO Board of Directors and currently resides in South Africa. Keith is an experienced and regular trainer for InsideNGO.
Libby Spader, Director of Finance, Grants & Contracts International. Libby has been with InsideNGO since 2000 as a trainer, facilitator, and event logistics coordinator. At USAID Rules & Regulations workshops, Libby works with trainers to refine material to the target audience and also to present the subject in a multi-cultural, multi-lingual environment. Previously, she worked as a medical education event facilitator for pharmaceutical firms and for many years as a teacher, specializing in the training of trainers and discovery/participatory learning techniques. Libby is the co-trainer for InsideNGO’s Training of Trainers course which specializes in participatory delivery of technical information. She also works with InsideNGO trainers to create custom training materials, manage learning objectives, measure impact, and deliver compliance curriculum using adult learning techniques.
James Tuite was appointed VP, Finance and Operations and CFO of ChildFund International in September 2006. He is responsible for the finance, accounting, treasury, assurance, and office administration of this $230 million organization with offices in 34 countries around the world. Previously he worked at the Population Council for 12 years Chief Financial Officer and Secretary-Treasurer. Prior to joining the Council, Jim traveled extensively to the overseas programs of Save the Children as an Auditor/Operations Analyst for over 2 years. He is a Certified Public Accountant and worked for the Boston office of Coopers and Lybrand. He also worked as a volunteer in Korea. He speaks fluent Korean. Jim is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is the current Chairman of the Board of InsideNGO. He holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting from Northeastern University in Boston and an MA in International Educational Development from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Tentaive Agenda
DAY 1: Monday, February 20, 2012
8:30 Introduction to USAID and its Regulations
10:00 BREAK
10:15 22 CFR 226 - Parts A, B and C: Financial & Program Management, Cost Share
12:30 LUNCH
1:30 22 CFR 226 – C: Property Standards & Procurement Standards
2:30 22 CFR 226 – C: Reports & Records
3:00 BREAK
3:15 22 CFR 226 – C: Suspension, Termination & Enforcement
D:After-the-Award Requirements
3:45 22 CFR 226 - Marking
4:00 22 CFR 226 - Small Group Exercise
5:15 First Day Feedback
DAY 2: Tuesday, February 21, 2012
9:00 Opening: Plan for the Day
9:45 OMB A-122: Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations
10:30 BREAK
10:45 OMB A-122: Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations (continued)
12:30 LUNCH
1:30 OMB A-122: Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations (continued)
2:00 OMB A-122 - Small Group Exercise
3:00 BREAK
3:15 Agreement Package – Letter and Schedule
4:15 Agreement Package – Small Group Exercise
5:00 Close of Day
DAY 3: Wednesday, February 22, 2012
8:30 Opening: Plan for the Day
9:15 Agreement Package – Standard Provisions, including 22 CFR 228
10:30 BREAK
10:45 Agreement Package – Standard Provisions (continued)
12:30 LUNCH
1:30 Audit
2:00 Subrecipient Monitoring
3:00 BREAK
3:15 Subrecipient Monitoring - Small Group Exercise
4:45 Closing Ceremony: Evaluations, Certificates
Register/Payment Info
Step 1: Fill out the registration form below.
Step 2: Submit fee payment and be sure to meet the payment deadlines shown above. Click HERE for the payment form and instructions.
Please read our Administrative Policies below.
Payment Policy: Payment is due before the start of the workshop.
Cancellation / No Show Policy: Cancellation notification received in writing to
klayton@InsideNGO.org by the Regular Fee Payment deadline will be eligible for a full credit to a future workshop. Registrants who cancel after the Regular Fee Payment deadline will receive a credit of the fee paid less a $100 cancellation penalty. Registrants who do not show up for the workshop without prior notification will forfeit the full registration fee.Substitution Policy: Substitutions are accepted up to and including the date of the workshop. Please provide a written request to klayton@InsideNGO.org indicating the name of the original registrant and the name/contact information for the substitute attendee. Sharing of registrations is not permitted.
For more information regarding refund, complaint and/or program cancellation policies, please contact our offices at (203) 226-3650 or by email at klayton@InsideNGO.org.