Grants Manager, Nigeria

Closing Date: Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Grants Manager - USAID Program 'Scale-Up of Care and Support Services for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Selected States in Nigeria'
Nigeria has one of the largest numbers of orphans and vulnerable children in the world, estimated at 17.5 million in 2008, of which 2.3 million are orphaned due to AIDS. A consortium, led by Christian Aid, is looking for a Grants Manager for a large ($32 million) and complex USAID project to scale up care and support services for orphans and vulnerable children. Nigerian candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. More information about Christian Aid can be found here: http://www.christianaid.org.uk/
Note: Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project.
The Grants Manager will work closely with the Chief of Party, the Technical Program Director and the Organizational Development Director to manage and coordinate the complex grants portfolio. In consultation with the project team, s/he will specifically implement the tools and procedure for transparent and competitive granting process. S/he will serve as an expert for the planning, implementation and evaluation of grant applications and also review project grants for accuracy and compliance with agreement terms and conditions.
S/he will track all sub-grants actions, monitors ongoing compliance, and takes prompt, corrective action as required. S/he will oversee administrative granting processes for completeness and integrity of project data, and also ensure appropriate internal controls over disbursements to awardees and other project transactions.
In addition to the above, the Grants Manager will review and approve processing of sub-grant related payments to ensure robust cash management and coordinate requests for project payments. S/he will also provide support, supervision and direction to field personnel on sub-grant financial issues.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Implements and monitors the grant management system, including the pre – award and post- award monitoring of grants.
  
  
• Determines the risk profiles of prospective grantees and recommend appropriate approaches to mitigate the risks identified, including the development of special award conditions
  
  
• Ensures that individual project budgets and work plans adhere to stated targets for each grantee activity and works closely with the grantees to remedy any financial or performance issues to ensure smooth implementation, reporting and tracking of the individual project.
  
  
• Provides technical assistance to grantees and sub-grantees on grants management policies and procedures.
  
  
• Oversees the entire program grant budget – selection of grantees for award, post award monitoring and reporting as well as verifying completion and final payment of invoice
  
  
• Prepares monthly financial returns, tracks budget spending, and analyze in accordance with project requirements
  
  
• Reviews and provides individual feedback on all financial, performance, and M&E reports to each grantee organization and prepares cumulative financial, M&E, and performance reports for submission to the Chief of Party (CoP).
  
  
• Provides administrative support and oversight of grants and grantees, including developing and maintaining a comprehensive data base of grant recipients
  
  
• Collaborates with the CoP and other directors to integrate institutional capacity building efforts and community mobilization across the project.
  
  
• Supports OD staff to bring technical assistance to public and private institutions
  
  
• Strengthens the organizational capacity of sub-grantees to ensure effective and efficient management of OVC programming.
  
  
• Establishes mechanisms at the state and regional level to provide continuing in-service education on management and technical issues for all institutions, organizations, and community structures.
  
  
• Liaises with other program staff, including M and E, to ensure coordination of field activities, technical assistance, information dissemination, research, reports, deliverables (including tools and materials)
  
  Qualified candidates should possess the following:
  
• First Degree or higher in financial management, accounting, business administration or required; professional certification as a certified public accountant or other equivalent qualifications is highly desirable.
  
  
• At least 5 years experience managing USAID funded projects or large-scale development programs preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa and with strong knowledge of USG rules and regulations. Specific experience in Nigeria desirable.
  
  
• A minimum of five years experience managing the award and administration of sub grants funded by USAID or international donors.
  
  
• 3 years of professional experience in grant compliance, auditing and financial management
  
  
• Knowledge and experience using various financial packages
  
  
• Significant experience in financial monitoring, budgetary systems, and controls with strong analytical skills
  
  
• Proven ability to prepare budgets and donor financial reports with ability to interpret and amalgamate data (financial, outputs, outcome) from multiple sources into coherent consolidated reports.
  
  
• Demonstrated technical skill in design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of capacity building activities with government and civil society partners.
  
  
• Proven programmatic, technical, and managerial ability and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with professional colleagues in a broad range of indigenous governmental organizations and NGOs.
  
  
• Solid knowledge and understanding of current good practices in OVC programming.
  
  
• Strong communication skills – both verbally and in writing, with proficiency in English
  
  
• Proven experience mentoring and strengthening technical skills of staff and stakeholders
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations
  
  
• Ability to work in diverse cultural, social, and language contexts and produce results.
  
  
• The ability to travel extensively to locations within Nigeria as required
  
  To apply for this post, please email a covering letter addressing your suitability for the post and a CV to cvs@gridconsulting.net . Please quote the job title in the subject line.
  Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
  Closing date: 12 noon, Wednesday 24 August 2011
  Interview date: Week commencing Monday 29 August 2011