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Grants Director - USAID ATI Program

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Job Title: Grants Director



Project: ATI Program



Location: Nairobi, Kenya



Period of performance: Date of Approval - End of Project



Deadline for application: November 15. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as interviews will be conducted soon. Please note, due to the volume of applications that we receive and the urgency to fill-up positions, only shortlisted applicants will receive notification on next steps.



POSITION DESCRIPTION



The Grants Director will be responsible for the day-to-day oversight and administration of the ATI grants pool, ensuring compliance with USAID regulations and best practices. This position will lead the strategizing, learning, and process improvement for grant design, competition, and award management. The position will lead the grantmaking process for our work with partner organizations and be responsible to ensure compliance with all applicable grant related policies, procedures, and grants management system use.



KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES



Grants Design and Solicitation



  • Work closely with project leadership and technical staff in the activity design process including, but not limited to, supporting the development of Notification of Funding Opportunities(NOFO), facilitating the process of evaluation of grant applications to ensure adherence to grants management policies, and advising on appropriate grant mechanisms and creative, and compliant, uses of grants. Work with partners to develop grant budget estimates and review for allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and consistency, as well as compliance with applicable USAID regulations and DAI policies, as outlined in the Grants Manual

  • Assess administrative and financial and management capacity of grant applicants.

  • Identify creative and responsive opportunities for co-creation of grant design, prior to NOFO.

  • Incorporate learnings, best practices and innovative approaches (e.g. concessional financing) into grant design so as to build on previously tested uses of grants.

  • Support the design of multi-regional or continental solicitations that can leverage efficiencies and drive impact at scale. Present opportunities for grants solicitations to be more effective and potentially meet objectives of multiple ATI buy-in clients.

  • Ensure proper negotiation of the terms and conditions for grant agreements, ensure the proper type of grant selected, review and select the correct standard and as applicable provisions, work with grantee and technical team to finalize grant agreement for approval, and draft approval documents necessary to requests approvals from USAID.

  • Generate and review all aspects of grant agreements at kick off meetings, and during implementation, with grantees, including schedule and facilitate meetings to define roles, responsibilities, and timelines for grantees.

  • Work as a problem solver with the technical team to learn, adapt and improve throughout the grant design and solicitation process.

  • Identify with CFO and technical teams appropriate special award conditions and/or necessary capacity building for the grantee to strengthen the results, minimize risk, and ensure compliance.

Grant Activity Management



  • Work with grantees, ATI Grants Manager(s) and broader ATI team to ensure that activities are implemented in accordance with activity design and terms and conditions of the grant. Provide guidance in the implementation of the grants activities, including closure and disposition plans.

  • Guide and direct Grants Manager(s) to serve as the ATI focal point for grantees. Share information with grantees ensuring cohesion and supporting collaborative engagement and partnership.

  • Monitor submission of grant deliverables and reports. Coordinate with other members of the team for review and approval. Monitor and track procurement activities for in-kind grants and delivery status of goods/services.

  • Develop and build the capacity of local organizations and grantees to ensure successful implementation and compliance with the grant agreement, as well as to support their sustainable development as an organization.

  • Ensure complete backup documentation for payments to grantees is submitted to project’s finance team.

  • Troubleshoot grants management challenges with grantees, technical staff, CFO, COP, and USAID as requested/as needed.

  • Track any leverage, contribution, or program income as required in the grant agreement and ensure compliance with audit requirements for grantees, as appropriate.

  • Ensure timely and well documented close-out of grants, ensuring completeness and quality of grant files.

Compliance and Reporting



  • Ensure compliance with approved Grants Manual, referenced USAID regulations, DAI policies and procedures, systems, and internal controls, and applicable local laws and tax policy.

  • Ensure that all grant activities are properly documented from the start of implementation to grant close-down using DAI operations and grant management systems etc.

  • Perform regular spot audits of grant files to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance.

  • Provide procedures and policy training, guidance, and interpretation for program staff as well as grantees, in consultation with the DAI Contracts Manager as appropriate.

  • Develop and maintain grant budget/funds monitoring tools.

  • Submit progress and status reports as required.

  • Track overall Grant Fund amounts in total, by buy-in, and by grant, including both awarded and obligated amounts.

  • Work with ATI MEL team to ensure the totality of the grants program and its impact is aggregated, validated and disseminated.

Programmatic Grants Strategy and Process Management



  • Translate and position the Grants Fund within the strategic framework for ATI, working alongside the Procurement Team, to ensure the right partners and fit-for-purpose subaward mechanisms are engaged in ATI’s technical work.

  • Work to ensure the Grants Management Portal is efficient, compliant with the Grants Manual, has sound and reasonable internal controls, and provides adequate reporting functionality and data.

  • Support the Chief Financial Officer to confirm, refine, and manage operational and technical grants related processes and procedures for a program catalog of rapid, efficient, innovative, and compliant grant-making mechanisms

  • In collaboration with the Chief of Party, Chief Financial Officer, and relevant technical staff, support the development, draft, and finalization of buy-in SOWs using project templates and provide guidance on grant-making strategy, responsive and compliant use of grants, and methodology

  • Identify and suggest improvements to DAI grants management processes, forms, and system throughout the project to be more effective and efficient in preventing, detecting, identifying, and correcting noncompliance with applicable rules and regulations.

  • Design and pilot innovative grant making approaches to meet the needs of private sector partners within the USAID compliance framework, and feed learning back to ATI for learning and replication

  • Supervise a team of Grants staff and ensure they are in compliance with the Grants Manual, are effectively and thoroughly using the project systems for grants and procurement, that they have the quality control tools to do their jobs, are well trained, and that they are given routine performance feedback. Provide guidance and training to all ATI staff related to Grants.

  • Support recruitment for the ATI grants team as needed.

REPORTING:



The Grants Director will report to the ATI Chief Financial Officer.



QUALIFICATIONS:



Required:



  • Bachelor’s degree

  • 10+ years of experience working in international business and grants management, with experience in USAID grants management preferred

  • Experience in the administration of large, complex USAID-funded grants under contracts, and contracts is required. Demonstrated experience in programming a large, complex grants pool in an efficient manner.

  • Proven expertise in process management and creative problem-solving

  • Extensive knowledge and understanding of USAID rules and regulations and ability to flexibly and creatively apply these rules and regulations for tailored fit-for-purpose procurement processes and contracts or agreements

  • Experience in managing a team and building the capacity of team members in compliant, effective grants management

  • Ability to identify time sensitive demands & inquiries and respond effectively

  • Demonstrated exceptional customer relations (both internally & externally); provides sound business judgment and contractual oversight

  • Proven client and stakeholder management skills across all levels

  • Excellent organizational skills with a willingness to take initiative and be proactive in the procurement process

  • Excellent communications, facilitation, negotiation, and personnel management skills; experience managing direct reports

  • Excellent writing, speaking, and reading skills in English.

  • Ability to work in a fast-moving, fluid team setting with multiple stakeholders




How to apply


Application link: https://fs23.formsite.com/OLJTgx/hlsjyvynfj/index.html?1635517967312



Application instructions:



Select the position in which you are interested in applying for, fill out the required information and upload CV. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as interviews will be conducted soon. Please note, due to the volume of applications that we receive and the urgency to fill-up positions only shortlisted applicants will receive notifications on next steps. Positions are for Jordanian nationals only.




https://jobcenterkenya.com/grants-director-usaid-ati-program/

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