Weamie Z. Tahn

Experience

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  Poverty and Conflict Reduction Initiative (PaCRI)-Students Base Organization

  Jul 2010 - May 2011

  Executive Director - Volunteer

  Ensure that team members create awareness on: how to manage and minimize conflict, proper communication skills, HIV/AIDS, Advocating for Human Rights.

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  Mercy Corps

  Dec 2014 - Feb 2016

  Subawards & Compliance Officer

  GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:Working under the direction of the Sub-grant Manager, the Subward and Compliance Officer supported the full management of USAID/OFDA funded Ebola Community Action Platform (ECAP) project with a funding portfolio of $ 7.7 million in sub-awards. Ensured full compliance with the terms and conditions by interpreting and coaching staff and grantees. Maintained updated grants tracker and files for 26 sub-awardees comprising 4 international organizations and 22 civil society organizations.Achievements:o Conducted sub-grantee pre-award assessments and recommend modifications to the subgrant agreement and/or monitoring plan to lessen financial and compliance risks;o Assisted in the preparation and review of subgrant agreements;o Provided ongoing training and support to subgrantee in Mercy Corps subgrant financial procedures and assist in conducting formal sub-grantee training workshops;o Reviewed sub-grantee financial reports for correctness and completeness and ensure that reports are submitted on time;o Assisted in sub-grantee site audits and prepare site visit reports;o Follow up on all subgrant compliance issues and audits and document resolutions;o Maintained subgrant tracking as well as financial files in accordance with the Field Finance Manual;o Processed 26 sub-grantee payments and reconcile subgrant financial tracking to general ledger reports;o Assisted in 26 subgrant close-outs ensuring that all requirements of the subgrant agreement have been met and that sub grant funds have been settled. Show less

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  DAI

  Feb 2016 - Feb 2018

  I managed $4.5million through fixed amount award (FAA) and In-Kind (IK) grants support to eight (8) civil society organizations (CSOs), community based organizations (CBOs) and private sectors coalition and five (5) government entities to promote accountability and advocate for policies reforms to natural resources and concessions sections of Liberia.I tailored grant manual to Liberia local context, developed solicitation mechanism through RFAs, APS and EOI and selected potential applicants, formulated grants evaluation committee (GEC) to vet applications, coordinated application evaluation processes, conducted site visits and assessed potential grantees capacity by identifying risks and recommended capacity development gaps for intervention in financial management, settling financial management system like QuickBooks, formulated and negotiated budgets with grantees, I developed USAID award approval request for 8 grantees (CSOs), developed grants agreements, issued grant modifications, collaborated with operation team to procure equipment and supplies for in-kind grantees, reviewed reports, mentored grantees, prepared grantees payment requests, I ensured that grantees achieved all grant responsibilities before closeout, Setup unique filing system (electronic, share-drive and hard copies) uploaded all grantees information to the electronic filing system (TAMIS) and share-drive, compiled monthly, quarterly and annual consolidated grantees reports, I successfully ensured complete grant close out processes and issued grant close out letters. Show less PROJECT BACKGROUND:The Liberia Accountability and Voice Initiative (LAVI) Project is a five-year 17millions USAID-funded project to strengthen multi-stakeholder partnerships to advocate for and monitor policy and accountability reforms. It aims to increase the influence of citizens and media in the governance of public goods and services, as well as to create more effective, accountable, and inclusive governance in Liberia.Duties:- Provided administrative assistance in grants management processes- Ensured that grantees adhere to USAID policies and regulations- Supervise proposal preparation, the selection process and the progress of grantees towards achieving their program objectives- Provided capacity building support to grantees in financial, compliance, procurement, internal audit, project management etc Show less

  • Senior Grants Officer

    Jun 2017 - Feb 2018

  • Grants Officer - USAID LAVI

    Feb 2016 - Jun 2017
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  Partners In Health

  Feb 2018 - now

  • Ensuring efficiency, effectiveness and transparency in PIH Liberia Grants Management by strengthening internal controls, timely donors reporting, successful audits, prioritizing accountability to PIH and donors through the promotion of policies/regulations adherence by all staff.• Ensuring that PIH’s Liberia grants management and financial processes and procedures contribute to PIH’s programmatic and financial health, by setting up system and tools that tracks BVAs, Grants Reporting Tracker and provides accurate and timely information to relevant parties/donors, • Streamlining processes for efficient operations, coaching staff on grants compliance, ensuring staff understanding and adherence to donor rules and policies governing grants/contracts and PIH internal policies through capacity building support.• Coordinating with project managers and directors routinely to effect activities implementation within grant performance period in line with approved workplan and signed grant agreement(s).• Setting up PIH’s Liberia grants management framework and system to direct and guide the daily management of grants activities and compliance (grant manual, tools/templates, system and etc);• Setting up a unique grants management filing system (soft/hard) for easy and timely tracing of documents for record retention and audit readiness; • Linking and maintaining internal and external cordial relationship with donors’ staff.• Developing/contributing to quarterly, mid-year and annual donor reports (financial and narrative)• Serving as the immediate focal point for audit preparation, documents readiness and clarify auditor’s query;• Developing management responses to audit aide-memoire(s) and submit to the finance director and Boston Grants and Compliance Director Show less Served as the field focal person and worked closely with the field staff in finance, procurement, MEQ, HR, and program management in ensuring full procedural compliance with the PSD grants’ agreements and PIH internal policies; Ensured proper documentation of grants files (soft and hard copies), and accurate and timely record keeping that is aligned with donor preferences, expectations, and requirements; Supported field finance staff to regularly review transactions requests/vouchers in line with budgetary allocations and financial policy; provided technical support to staff to ensure best financial and procurement practices to avoid audit risks. Show less

  • Deputy Director Finance and Grants

    Feb 2025 - now

  • Grants & Compliance Manager

    Dec 2020 - Feb 2025

  • Grants Coordinator

    Feb 2018 - Nov 2020