Grants Manager

Mercy Corps

Details / requirements:

Mercy Corps is an international, non-governmental humanitarian relief and development agency that exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Mercy Corps works in more than 40 countries, and has been present in Nepal since 2005. In Nepal, Mercy Corps works to build the absorptive, adaptive, and transformative potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across the country. Through a systems-based approach to market development, financial services access, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and youth engagement, Mercy Corps builds resilience among target communities.

Mercy Corps invites applications from all interested and potential Nepali candidates for the following positions in PAHAL Program:

Grants Manager -1 (Kathmandu based with frequent travel to PAHAL districts)

Please refer to nepal.mercycorps.org for the full position description before applying.

“Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision, and we encourage people from all backgrounds, especially women and members of disadvantaged groups to apply. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer”.

Interested candidates are requested to submit cover letter and Mercy Corps Application Form available at http://nepal.mercycorps.org by COB July 25, 2017 to the address below: 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further selection process. Telephone enquiries will not be entertained.

Attn: Human Resources Department

[Please mention the title of the Position on the subject line of the e-mail while applying]

Email to: np-jobs@mercycorps.org

Job Description

Position Title: Grants Manager, PAHAL

Duty Station: Kathmandu, with frequent travel to PAHAL field offices/ sites

Position Category: Full-time AND Regular   

Salary Level: M2

Current Employee: N/A

BACKGROUND:

Mercy Corps is an international, non-governmental humanitarian relief and development agency that exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities.

Mercy Corps works in more than 40 countries, and has been present in Nepal since 2005. In Nepal, Mercy Corps works to build the absorptive, adaptive, and transformative potential of vulnerable individuals and communities

across the country. Through a systems-based approach to market development, financial services access, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and youth engagement, Mercy Corps builds resilience among target communities.

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps Nepal, as the prime organization, is implementing a five year program – “Promoting Agriculture, Health and Alternative Livelihood” (PAHAL) program, funded by USAID. PAHAL seeks to strengthen livelihoods, improve nutritional status and increase the capacity of vulnerable households to mitigate, adapt to and recover from shocks and stresses in communities with deep poverty and high rates of malnutrition in critical zones of the Mid-Western and Far-Western Regions of Nepal. The goal of the PAHAL program is: Vulnerable populations in the middle and high hills of Far Western and Mid-Western Nepal are food secure. The target area of the program covers 14 districts in the Mid-West and Far-West regions of Nepal. The Mid-West region comprises of 7 districts; Surkhet, Dailekh, Pyuthan, Rolpa, Rukum, Salyan and Jajarkot while the Far-West region comprises of Dadeldhura, Doti, Accham, Baitadi, Bajhang, Bajura and Darchula districts.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Grants Manager will ensure and facilitate the process to ensure award management compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations and requirements agreements which flow down Mercy Corps and donor regulations and requirements. The Grant Manager will work under the supervision of Finance and Compliance Director but will be embedded in the PAHAL team and be a direct resource to the PAHAL senior management team led by the Chief of Party.

S/he will lead efforts on budget financial management including but not limited to ownership of the budget update process during annual PREP, ARR, periodic budget modifications, monthly budget versus actual reporting and analysis, coordinating with program management to update and analyze the budget forecast pipeline, supervise the Senior Sub-Awards Compliance Officer, manage the administrative component of the compliance tracker and risk register (issues log), and provide monthly and quarterly PAHAL management summaries on the financial and compliance health of the program.

As gender and social inclusion (GESI), governance and M&E are cross-cutting and core components of the PAHAL program, the Grants Manager is required to own these components and ensure GESI sensitivity and integration, governance practices and M&E systems are integrated into his/ her area of work.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The specific duties and responsibilities of the Grants Manager include, but are not limited to, the following:

Technical:

  • Ensure that the PAHAL program is executed in alignment with the Cooperative Agreement and the applicable USAID regulations, staying abreast of changes in regulatory environment related to donor/grant compliance; update PAHAL program policies and procedures as necessary; Provide monthly & quarterly management summary reports on the financial and compliance health of the program to the Chief of Party, PAHAL SMT, and Complex Board members.
  • Provide monthly BvA and Pipeline financial forecast reports with analysis to the CoP, PAHAL SMT, & Component Managers. Monthly reports to include updates on sub grantee financial and compliance information, in a timely and accurate manner.
  • Be the focal point on the PAHAL team who manages the administrative component of the complex program compliance tracker and risk register (issues log). Managing the administrative component consist of version control, consistent communication to stakeholders for inputs associated with their responsibilities, escalate non-responsiveness as necessary to the CoP and CD.
  • Help identify efficient and effective solutions to issues while ensuring compliance with Mercy Corps’ policies and donor regulations, yet facilitate the achievement of program objectives; coordinate closely with Headquarter international finance, compliance, regional program teams.
  • Review major contracts and other documents for compliance requirements and ensure these requirements are met;
  • Work with the CoP and Component Managers to prepare the annual budgets as part of PREP process in accordance with USAID guidelines.
  • Work with the CoP and DCoP to prepare financial reports for submission to SWC and other government authorities.
  • Prepare prior approval, waiver and other compliance requests to the donor on behalf of both Mercy Corps.
  • Assist sub recipients, as needed with sub-recipient compliance requests to Mercy Corps.
  • Identify and communicate compliance risks associated with program implementation;
  • Work very closely with the Finance department to facilitate grant projections, disbursement and reporting, ensuring compliant documentation, and, as requested by the COP, CD, FCD, RFO
  • investigate financial anomalies as per MC policies and procedures.
  • Provide leadership and direction with regard to any grant or contract functions needed for the program’s
  • success and provide input on program functions to maximize Mercy Corps effectiveness.

Sub Awards Management:

  • Ensure that the partner organizations (PLAN USA, GHI, TUFTS, RIMS, Rupantaran, Sappros, NTAG, and LNGOs as determined) are regularly monitored in accordance with the PAHAL sub-award manual.
  • Review and guide the Senior Sub-Award Compliance Officer’s work plan and schedule to ensure Mercy Corps sub award management team is maximizing its role and effectiveness.
  • Consult the Resilience Program Coordinator and other stakeholders as needed for enhanced monitoring and evaluation exercises according to Mercy Corps’ best practices and compliance requirements.
  • Participate in the development of the overall programmatic strategy and the strategy for the sub awards program.
  • Responsible for the review of RFA applicants’ budgets and budget narratives for completeness, cost realism and compliance with RFA budget requirements.
  • Support the selection of sub-award agreement types, drafting of sub awards and negotiate agreements with selected sub recipients.
  • Support the modification process for sub-awards, as needed.
  • Develop and conduct sub-recipient financial and compliance training workshops;
  • Review sub-recipient financial monitoring plans and provide guidance and feedback to the sub-award financial compliance team, ensure regular financial monitoring of sub-recipients and review financial monitoring visit reports.

 

Team Management

  • Create and sustain a dynamic and participatory work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
  • Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback through regular performance reviews.
  • Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary. Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
  • Ensure that all staff receive appropriate communications regarding their sub-award compliance assignments and responsibilities.
  • Develop, update as necessary, and deliver training programs and materials to ensure that all staff are aware of the sub-award compliance requirements related to their position.

Others

  • Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
  • Contribute to PAHAL team building efforts, work with team members to identify and solve problems and, ensure the inclusion of all team members in relevant decision making processes.
  • Together with the GESI Component Manager, develop GESI integration plan, track progress and document GESI learnings on a regular basis.
  • Mercy Corps as a humanitarian agency is expected to response as and when crisis and humanitarian situation engulfs. As an MC employee all staff are expected to be part of humanitarian and emergency response in addition to their regular roles and responsibilities in such situations.
  • Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNINGS: As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Senior Sub-Awards and Compliance Officers

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Finance and Compliance Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Regional Finance Officer (with authority for technical financial and compliance matters), Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Resilience Program Coordinator, Component managers, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Operations Director, Director of Programs, Partner Organizations, Subawardees.

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Position Description, Finance and Compliance Director, Chief of Party PAHAL,; National Staff Policy Handbook; Code of conduct and Mercy Corps policy and procedures.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Bachelors’ degree in Business Management, or other related discipline. Masters preferred.
  • 5 + years of relevant field or management experience of complex, multi-dimensional programming including administering small grants in an international/local environment.
  • Experience in sub awards design, negotiation, and administration is required
  • Proven success managing the administration and compliance of US government funding, particularly with the management of large USAID funded sub award mechanisms of a comparable size. Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to multi-task and process information into action as to not delay program activities
  • Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills are necessary.
  • Experience working in complex political environments, and accordingly under dramatically more complex USG regulations
  • Demonstrated experience and ability to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate and defend Mercy Corps’ interests with a diverse range of international and local organizations and other groups;
  • Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
  • Strong analytical skills coupled with a solid understanding of financial and procurement systems. Prior auditing experience is considered a plus
  • Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment
  • Fluency in written and spoken English essential;

SUCCESS FACTORS:

A Grants Manager will ensure and facilitate compliance of programs with donor regulations and requirements for all sub-grantees. S/he will have demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving and a proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results. S/he will be able to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details. S/he will have the ability to work independently and as part of a team, a knowledge of procurement and tendering and a curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures are all essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective

Job Overview

Category Development and Project
Openings 1
Experience 5+ years
Education Please check vacancy details
Posted Date 19 Jul, 2017
Apply Before 25 Jul, 2017
City Kathmandu