Music - song writing, playing the guitar, singing
Christine Dowie
Grants Administrator
White Bear Lake,MN
Summary
Results-driven program lead with over 9 years of experience managing complex projects and administering grants. Skilled in grants management, relationship building, and providing exceptional customer service to diverse communities. Proven ability to make determinations related to grant performance and compliance, while resolving complex project issues efficiently. Experienced in financial analysis, ensuring grant budgets and expenditures align with funding source guidelines. Holds a Master of Art in International Relations specializing in Public Policy, and a Bachelor of Art in Public Administration. Demonstrated leadership in integrating initiatives with various partners, administering multiple governmental programs, and managing large projects with competing priorities and timelines. Proficient in DEED programs, services, and software such as Workforce One, Grants Management System (GMS), and MN Office of Grants Management procedures. Skilled in workplace leadership, communication, and problem-solving with a strong understanding of grants management principles and policies. Adept at utilizing Microsoft Office suite tools to track financial transactions, resolve issues, and collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Grants Specialist
Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
06.2023 - Current
- Administer complex project budgets of over $25 million in federal funding for workforce development in local areas across the State of Minnesota.
- Monitor grantee performance, maintaining alignment to policies and procedures.
- Conduct periodic grant performance reviews, providing recommendations for effective utilization of grant funding.
- Monitor and maintain records on the obligations and expenditures status of all federal formula grants and advise management of irregularities as they emerge.
- Review and approved grantees invoices - Financial Status Reports and Payment Reimbursement Reports necessary to process payment.
- Run regular and ad hoc reports on federal grants activity and provide information to leadership when requested.
- Collaborate with MN.IT@DEED to make any necessary changes to various customer tracking systems, including but not limited to Workforce One, MN Performs, etc.
- Assist in assessing and evaluating Project-Specific Proposals to determine potential for success in returning workers to suitable employment in targeted industries and geographical areas.
- Create relevant financial tracking documents to ensure the department has what it needed to issue funding to grantees.
- Supported coordination of materials for Job Skills Partnership meetings, including contributing to weekly and bi-weekly reporting requirements.
- Developed training materials to enhance grantee proficiency and compliance.
Cooperative Agreement Management Coordinator
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
03.2016 - 03.2022
- This role included collaborating in-person with CDC HQ in Atlanta, supporting extramural activities in the Office of the Director, Center for Global Health, supported award processes including objective reviews for new grant applications, among other tasks.
- Monitored and managed project budgets representing over $75 million in US Government investments, including providing training for grantees on laws, regulations governing federal appropriations (the code of federal regulations).
- Provided program and administrative support to grantees, enabling compliance on policies and procedures.
- Evaluated new and high-risk recipients to ensure their effectiveness in project management and administration, including budget development in accordance with CDC guidelines, policies, and procedures.
- Liaised with the Office of Financial Resources (OFR) in Atlanta to process recipient administrative actions and develop corrective action plans with recipients to resolve problems on implementation and compliance.
- Provided recommendations to optimize project efficiencies and award compliance with CDC policies, including the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
- Participated in strategic planning, including developing performance measures and process improvements.
- Served as the Liberia representative on the CDC Global Employee Advisory Board (July 2017-June 2021) and as the chairperson for the Staff Training and Development technical working group.
- Conducted site visits to monitor project progress in various communities, tracking successes and challenges, and recommending solutions.
- Maintained financial records in the Grants Management Module (GMM) financial system.
- Conducted financial compliance reviews and mentoring sessions to improve grantee business systems and processes.
Program Coordinator
Kvinna Till Kvinna Foundation
06.2014 - 02.2016
- Conduced training for grantees to enhance program success and compliance.
- Facilitated regular meetings with team members to discuss progress updates, address challenges, and brainstorm solutions for ongoing success.
- Established strategic partnerships with external organizations, expanding program reach and impact.
- Maintained detailed records of program activities and participant data, ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
- Led training sessions for staff and volunteers, fostering a knowledgeable and cohesive team environment.
- Organized events and workshops to engage participants, enhancing their learning experience within the program framework.
- Provided exceptional customer service to program participants through prompt response times and attentive assistance with inquiries or concerns.
Senior Executive Assistant to the Country Representative
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
10.2011 - 05.2014
- Managed the office of the Country Representative by providing timely administrative and program management support.
- Processed travel expenses and reimbursements for executive team and senior management group.
- Contributed to smooth business operations by planning and organizing meetings and conferences.
- Managed complex calendar scheduling with focus on proper allocation of executive availability.
- Maintained professionalism while handling sensitive information by adhering to strict confidentiality protocols at all times.
- Developed strong relationships with internal departments to facilitate cross-functional collaboration on key initiatives driven by senior leaders.
- Assisted senior management with major initiatives and projects.
Education
Master of Arts - International Relations
University of Liberia
Monrovia12-2016
Bachelor of Arts - Social Sciences
Makerere University
Kampala02-2007
Skills
- Customer relations
- Expert problem solving
- Analytical thinking
- Documentation management
- Management collaboration
- Emergency response
- Team collaboration
- Stakeholder engagement
- Coaching and mentoring
- Written communication
- Interpersonal skills
- Adaptability and flexibility
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with diverse teams and stakeholders in response to the 2014 Ebola disease outbreak in the West Africa sub-region of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Working with Centers for Disease Control (CDC), effectively administered and managed grant awards totaling over $75,000 million US Dollars in response to the emergency outbreaks in Liberia.
Training
- Workforce One Data Management System - St. Paul, MN, 2023
- Federal Appropriations Law Atlanta - Atlanta GA, 2019
- Resiliency and Cultural Adaptability - Atlanta GA, 2029
- Grants Management Module - Atlanta, GA, 2018
- Employee Relations - Kampala, Uganda, 2017
- International Project Officer Certification - Pretoria, South Africa, 2016
- Leadership for Non-Supervisors - Pretoria, South Africa, 2016
- International Grants Management - Pretoria, South Africa, 2016
- Project Planning and Management - Makerere University, Uganda 2015
- Project Monitoring and Evaluation - Makerere University, Uganda 2014
Certification
- Licensed Financial Professional Training
- Life Insurance License - 2024
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Interests
Site seeing
Reading & personal development
Software
Micro Soft Office - MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Publisher
Adobe Acrobat
Workforce One
Grants Management System
Languages
English
Full Professional
Swahili
Professional Working
French
Elementary
Timeline
Senior Grants Specialist
Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
06.2023 - Current
Cooperative Agreement Management Coordinator
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
03.2016 - 03.2022
Program Coordinator
Kvinna Till Kvinna Foundation
06.2014 - 02.2016
Senior Executive Assistant to the Country Representative
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
10.2011 - 05.2014
Master of Arts - International Relations
University of Liberia
Bachelor of Arts - Social Sciences
Makerere University
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