Principal Grants Management at Universities Fund (UF)

Job Purpose

• To oversee grants administration processes, craft the funding proposals, maintain databases, facilitate policy research, and ensure adherence to university funding policies to enhance effective financing of universities.

Person Specification

•  Must have served in the grade of Senior Grants Management Officer , Grade UF 6 for a minimum period of three (3) years or its equivalent; 
• A bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Statistics, Accounting, ICT, Data Science or any related discipline 
• Supervisory course not lasting less than two (2) weeks; 
• Membership to a relevant professional body and in good standing

Key Competencies and Skills

•  Strategic thinking 
• Research skills 
• Analytical skills 
• Communication and reporting skills 
• Ability to lead teams 
• Mentoring, coaching and leadership skills 
• Interpersonal and negotiation skills 
• Team player 

Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities will entail: 

•  Grants Administration 
• Reviewing indents for calls, 
• Screening and reviewing of grant proposals for eligibility; 
• Reviewing responses to grant applicants; 
• Developing funding proposals for funding of infrastructure in universities
• Reviewing letters of awards and contracts for grants; 
• Responding to queries made by universities; 
• Monitoring Universities Fund database of grants; 
• Developing and maintaining a database of Government Sponsored Students and funded universities; 
• Participating in assessing suitability for support towards membership to appropriate international organization’s and advising the Assistant Director; 
• Participating in developing policies, regulations and guidelines on grants management; 
• Developing Performance Targets for the Directorate; 
• Preparing the budget and work plan for the Directorate

Policy Research & Standards

•  Conducting analysis using established processes to support and inform university funding policy evaluation activities. 
• Maintaining accurate records of policy advice, including key discussions, decisions, handwritten and electronic notes on university funding. 
• Ensuring university funding policies are published in a timely manner and in a format that is user-friendly, consistent, and compliant with public record requirements; 
• Maintaining a schedule for the routine review and revision of existing policies. 
• Providing support on the policy development process on university funding by ensuring consistency and avoiding duplication or conflicts among policies on university funding; 
• Researching and analysing university funding policy concepts, complex policy issues, possible legal implications, and the impact of proposed policies and policy revisions on key areas of the institution for effective financing of universities; 
• Identifying appropriate information sources and compile an evidence base to support university funding policy development activities. 
• Reviewing correspondence or contribute information to minutes, briefs, submissions, reports, updates or statements.