Grants Manager

Job Description

USAID Paani Program seeks a Grants Manager. The Grants Manager is responsible for managing the $5 million grant fund. In collaboration with the COP, DCOP, Sr. Operations Manager, and other members of the project team, the Grants Manager will ensure the effective design, implementation, and close-out of grants, managing activities through the entire grant making life cycle. Duties may include, but are not limited to: issuing grants solicitations, implementation management, financial oversight, and strengthening grantee capacity to undertake further similar activities.

The Grants Manager will supervise the Grants Officer.

Applicants must have a university degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance, International Development or other relevant field. A master’s degree is preferred with a minimum of six years of demonstrated experience in grants design and administration or related role.

DETAIL SCOPE OF WORK

Position: Grants Manager

Level of Effort: LTTA, 260 days per year

Tentative Period of Performance: November 1, 2017 – October 31, 2018

Base of Operations: Kathmandu, with field travel to PANI target river basin areas

Background:

The Paani Program is a 5 year, $25 million USAID-funded Project in Nepal. Water is the single most important natural resource underpinning Nepal’s economy and livelihoods. The sustainable management of water resources in Nepal depends on addressing climate change and protecting healthy, biodiverse ecosystems. PANI aims to enhance Nepal’s ability to manage water resources for multiple uses and users through climate change adaptation and the conservation of freshwater biodiversity. PANI focuses at the watershed, basin, and national scales and the project has approximately $5 million in grants and activity procurements. This goal will be reached by meeting the following objectives:

Reduce threats to freshwater biodiversity in the Karnali, Mahakali, and Rapti river basins.

Increase the ability of targeted human and ecological communities to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change through improved water management.

This will be accomplished through four intermediate results (IRs, each with several sub-IRs), and supporting activities, as defined in Section C, Statement of Work (SOW) of the PANI Contract, which provides the framework and overall guidance for all PANI team members.

Responsibilities

The Grants Manager is responsible for managing the $5 million grant fund. In collaboration with the COP, DCOP, Sr. Operations Manager, and other members of the project team, the Grants Manager will ensure the effective design, implementation, and close-out of grants, managing activities through the entire grant making life cycle. Duties may include, but are not limited to: issuing grants solicitations, implementation management, financial oversight, and strengthening grantee capacity to undertake further similar activities.

The Grants Manager will supervise the Grants Officer.

Essential Duties:

• Provide input during the activity design process including, but not limited to, supporting the development of solicitations, facilitating the process of evaluation of grant applications to ensure adherence to grants management policies, and advising on appropriate grant mechanisms.
• Analyze grant budgets for allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and consistency, as well as compliance with USAID and DAI regulations and policies.
• Assess administrative and financial capacity of grant applicants.
• Ensure proper negotiation of the terms and conditions for grants.
• Draft approval requests for USAID.
• Generate and review all aspects of grant agreements with grantees.
• Schedule and facilitate meetings to define roles, responsibilities, and timelines for grantees.
• Provide guidance on policies and procedures for PANI staff as well as grantees to ensure adherence to grant management policies.
• Serve as the PANI focal point for grantees. Share information with grantees ensuring cohesion and supporting collaborative engagement. Provide updates to and collaborate with PANI staff on grant monitoring.
• Monitor and track procurement activities for in-kind grants and delivery status of goods/services.
• Monitor submission of and review grant deliverables. Coordinate with other members of the team for approval.
• Ensure complete backup documentation for cash payments to grantees is submitted to project’s Finance Team.
• Work with grantees and other PANI staff to ensure that activities are implemented in accordance with activity design.
• With grantee and PANI team, solve issues that arise during grant implementation.
• Ensure that all grant activities are properly documented from the start of implementation to grant close-down using DAI operations and grant management systems (TAMIS) etc.
• Perform regular spot audits of grant files to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance.

Level of Effort/Timeline:

The Grants Manager’s position is based in Kathmandu, with travel to the PANI target river basin areas.  The level of effort is 260 days per year.

Supervision:

The Grants Manager will work under the direct supervision of the Sr. Operations Manager, and in close coordination with the COP/DCOP.

Qualifications:

• A university degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance, International Development or other relevant field is required. A master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum of six years of demonstrated experience in grants design and administration or related role. Experience in financial management, accounting and/or auditing is preferred.
• Working knowledge of USAID Contract Management and Grants Management policies and procedures. Strong knowledge of US government regulations including the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) and OMB circulars.
• Demonstrated organizational and leadership skills with a willingness to take initiative, be proactive, and collaborate effectively with members of the PANI team, grantees and other stakeholders.
• Fluency in English and Nepali. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both languages, both orally and in writing.

Apply Instructions

Applicants should submit a CV and cover letter to PANI_recruitment@dai.com by October 23, 2017. 

Please mention the position in the subject line of the email.

This Job is expired. The Company is no longer accepting applications for this position.