Leigh A.

Hartless, MPA
(856) 520 4950 leigh.hartless@gmail.com

QUALIFICATIONS HIGHLIGHTS
Master of Public Administration and Bachelor in International Studies
Knowledge of OMB Circular A-122, 22 CFR 226, 22 CFR 228, 2 CFR 200, USAID Acquisition
Regulations (AIDAR), and USAID Automated Directives System (ADS)
Knowledge of Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)
10+ years of experience in international development, particularly in agriculture and from an African
context
Experience in administration of various contract mechanisms including: fixed price, costreimbursement, time & materials, independent contractor agreements, indefinite quantity, task orders
and purchase orders
5+ years of experience in administrative and project implementation experience including USAID
contract task orders, cooperative agreements, and MCC contracts
Ability to anticipate demand; manage multiple tasks/projects; and meet tight deadlines
Excellent interpersonal skills with proven ability to motivate and work effectively with persons from
other cultures and walks of life
Detail oriented with strong organizational and communication skills
Intellectual curiosity and the desire and ability to develop new knowledge, skills, and abilities
Ability to understand, analyze, and interpret grant or donor regulations and guidelines, financial reports,
and contractual and legal documents
Certification in Essentials in Government Contract Management (Villanova University)
Member of the National Contract Management Association
French fluency

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Associate Director, Award Management Services
ACDI/VOCA, Washington, D.C.

January 2015 - present

Manages a project portfolio of up to 14 U.S. federal awards, providing cradle to grave support
for a total value of $235.7 million
Ensures cradle to grave award administration in compliance with applicable laws, internal policies and
procedures regarding contracting and procurement as well as USG reporting requirements
Reviews/revises and approves solicitations to ensure procurement documents are correct, complete, and
consistent with policies and procedures prior to publication
Develops and amends or reviews grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, subcontract modifications
for completeness, compliance and accuracy
Provides technical assistance in monitoring grants to the program teams and recommends actions
necessary to resolve compliance concerns such as a corrective action plan for problem resolution and
guidance on how to avoid similar situations in the future
Provides advice and interpretation of contract and agreement requirements and assists in trouble shooting
issues as they may arise

Senior Compliance Administrator, Program Awards & Compliance

June 2013 December 2014
ACDI/VOCA, Washington, D.C.
Participates in the development and participation of delivering procurement and contract management
training for staff
Responds to and takes appropriate action in response to inquiries by staff, contractors and subrecipients
regarding any aspect of cooperative agreement or contract compliance
Notifies both the compliance and technical implementation teams of potential compliance vulnerability
in areas at high risk of non-compliance
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Provide on-site and remote training and support to field offices in procurement and sub award
planning, systems development and implementation, monitoring and compliance.

Senior Project Coordinator, Agribusiness

January 2013 June 2013
ACDI/VOCA, Washington, D.C.
Contributed to New Business Development as Proposal Coordinator and included reconnaissance trips
for three proposals which resulted in wins for 2 of those 3
Assisted in project start-up by traveling to Mali, interviewing and hiring staff, setting up an office, and
conducting an overview of contracts with local subcontractors
Project Coordinator, Agribusiness
April 2010 December 2012
ACDI/VOCA, Washington, D.C.
Provided technical, administrative, financial, logistical, and programmatic supervision and backstopping
to seven (7) ACDI/VOCA projects in West Africa
Coordinated administration of fixed priced and task order contracts through MCC and USAID as well as
cooperative agreements through USAID worth a total value of $25.9 million to ensure they were carried
in compliance with the governing terms and conditions of their respective original and amended
contracts and grants
Prepared project reports, short-term technical assistance scopes of work, and success stories through
review, copy/edit, translation, and written contributions
Provided oversight and served as the primary point of contact between the field and home offices as well
as between ACDI/VOCA and partners.
Participated in the preparation of proposals and in the marketing of ACDI/VOCAs core competencies
and contributed to new business initiatives through conducting reconnaissance and research, the result of
which was the winning of several new projects to ACDI/VOCAs portfolio
Co-authored ACDI/VOCA World Report Winter 2012: Climate Change article, Staying for the Harvest:
Better Water Management in Mali, http://www.acdivoca.org/site/Lookup/ACDIVOCA-WR-Winter-12Climate-Change/$file/ACDIVOCA-WR-Winter-12-Climate-Change.pdf
Program Associate for Africa
July 2007 March 2010
Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore, MD
Created and maintained a database for thirty-five (35) active projects involving fifty-seven (57) different
partners in six countries, which provided a summary of each projects current status
Maintained records (hardcopy, electronic, and database) for fifty-three (53) development partners
including reviewing and analyzing of approximately 300 financial, monitoring, evaluation and audit
reports per year for adherence to company policies and project objectives
Managed fund transfers including eligibility and monitored partners spending for thirty-five (35)
projects worth over $8.8 million dollars
Provided administrative and backstop support to the Africa regional staff through assistance and/or
preparation of proposal drafts, correspondences, contracts, project approval documents, internal reports
and reports to donors, and travel arrangement
Served as guest lecturer of LWRs Virtual University in a class entitled, Turning Dollars into Sense,
Participated in working groups to address the organizations strategic planning in fair trade and updates
and overhauls for the project database system
Small Business Development/NGO Advisor
June 2004 August 2006
Peace Corps, Togo, West Africa
Worked in collaboration with a womens association of thirty (30) members to create a vocational
training center for disadvantaged girls in which forty-seven (47) of the fifty (50) girls successfully
completed the first year
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Initiated and organized two Junior Achievement programs in partnership with three educational
institutions that resulted in 172 local students receiving certificates of completion: the highest number for
the pilot project in Togo
Advised and assisted a womens Muslim association in establishment of their savings and loan
institution, which resulted in the establishment of loan committees and distribution of individual and
group loans
Assisted in the overhaul of the Pre-Service Training Procedures which resulted in the establishment of
more efficient procedures and a new comprehensive training manual
Contributed as an invitee in numerous trainings by preparing and delivering presentations; performing
clerical tasks; and mentoring new trainees
Served as regional Volunteer Action Committee (VAC) representative and spoke on behalf of peers
regarding administrative and organizational-related matters with the country director
Wrote a winning proposal for $9,000 to buy supplies and equipment for the vocational training center
which was approved and funded through Rotary International

Community Development Intern

October 2002 May 2003
Cooper Hospital Early Intervention Program Camden, NJ
Performed needs assessment interviews and surveys of HIV-positive persons
Researched material; fact checked information; and developed a comprehensive training and resource
manual
Planned and organized classes for fifteen (15) HIV-positive persons using the resource manual and found
local experts to speak on various topics with these beneficiaries

English Language Assistant

October 2000 April 2001

Rectorat de Toulouse, Tarbes, France

Planned and taught English lessons for 180 French students weekly
Translated documents and advised professors and students on correct English language usage
EDUCATION AND HONORS
Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM), anticipated in 2016
National Contract Management Associated (NCMA)
Master Certificate in Government Contract Management, February 2014
Villanova University
Master of Public Administration, May 2007
Rutgers University, Camden, NJ
Concentration International Public Service and Development

Cumulative G.P.A. 3.9

Bachelor of Art in International Studies, May 2000

University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE
Concentration International Business and Management, Minor French

Cumulative G.P.A. 3.5

ACADEMIC RECOGNITIONS: Pi Alpha Alpha (2007); Rutgers University Graduate Scholarship Recipient
(2002); Outstanding International Studies Major (2000); Pi Delta Phi (2000); Nancy Keegan Miller
Scholarship Recipient (1999 & 2000); Deans List; Sigma Iota Rho (1998); ConAgra Excellence Award in
Recognition of Community Service Volunteers (1996)

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