Grants Manager (GM) at AECOM

Purpose

The Grants Manager (GM) will work with Field Coordinators (FCs), Program Development Officers (PDOs) and Procurement/Logistics Officers (PLOs) during the development of grant proposals, providing information on the feasibility of the practical aspects of implementation. After grant approval, the GM will work with relevant staff on the development of a grant agreement according to the grant format designated. Upon signing of the grant agreement by the COP or his designee, and the GM will ensure effective grant implementation and will keep the designated PDO informed of grant implementation progress.During grant implementation, the GM will work under the guidance of the Deputy Chief of Party to perform the assignments below.

Tasks

During the grant proposal stage:

• Guide Field Coordinators (FCs) and PDOs (as applicable) in formulating grantee proposals according to the TIS+ guidelines;
• Support the FCs and PDOs (as applicable) in all aspects of grant management and documentation per the TIS+ and USAID’s regulations;
• Provide day to day support and training team members as applicable;
• Support the process of verifying grantee management capability;
• Propose grant implementation strategies;
• Analyze draft budgets submitted by grantees and propose Best Practices, if needed;

During the grant implementation stage:

• Track and ensure the implementation of the grant including logistics, procurement and payments;
• Monitor grantee performance and achievement of deliverables;
• Negotiate and implement modifications and addenda to grant agreements as required and authorized by FC/PDO/DCoP/CoP;
• Train grantee management staff in their various responsibilities as needed;
• Ensure grant is compliant with USAID regulations and deliverables are being met by the organization as well as the grantee;
• Maintain all soft and hard copies of grant files (excluding finance documentation), including: MOUS; grants; Notes to File; official approvals, extensions, and other correspondence; and final reports;
• Ensure all files are in order and grant file checklist is completed satisfactorily before submission to other functional Managers for final approval to close out;
• Ensure all electronic files required by USAID have been uploaded to the appropriate portal for viewing;
• Monitors the implementation progress of each grant. Ensures that the implementation is carried out in a non-partisan manner and that all administrative outputs as stated in the grant agreement are achieved.Ensure coordination on each grant with the relevant teams as necessary;
• Support the provision of regular updates for staff on grant status and ensures proper information entry in Access database;
• Support the drafting of grant-related correspondence (letters of receipt, issue letters, rejection letters, close-out letters etc.);
• Travel throughout Somalia is mandatory, and occasional travel to other regions is at the direction of the Deputy Chief of Party and/or other functional managers;
• Document lessons learned to be shared with the rest of the organization;
• Updating grant implementation processes and policies to reflect best practices in consultation with the Deputy Chief of Party and Operations Manager;
• Other duties as assigned by the Deputy Chief of Party and other managers that are consistent with the overall focus of the assignment.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• University degree in Political Science, International Relations, International Development, Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Project Management or appropriate field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Seven years of progressively responsible professional experience are required.
• Three to five years of experience working with USAID funded Fixed Award Amount (Fixed Obligation) Grants is required.
• Experience in program development, reporting; budgeting; networking highly sought.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Must be flexible, willing to perform assigned and additional duties and work irregular hours under unpredictable conditions.
• Previous experience working in Somalia highly desired.
• Previous experience with Microsoft Access highly desired.

SKILLS

• Demonstrated expertise working in Somalia on socio-political and culture issues.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to manage a diverse range of professional relationships essential.

LANGUAGES

• English fluency required. Somali highly preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None. Significant communication with field-based teams.

Base of Operations:

• Nairobi, Kenya with frequent travel to Somalia