Action Fund Manager

Scope of Work

USAID Tayar Nepal - Improved Disaster Risk Management Project

Action Fund Manager 

Position: Action Fund Manager 

Type of Employment: Long Term Technical Assistance

Level of Effort: 130 days (6 months)

Period of Performance: On/about July 01 to December 31, 2020

Base of Operations: Kathmandu Office

Project Background:

USAID/Nepal’s Tayar Nepal– Improved Disaster Risk Management Project (Tayar Nepal) is strengthening the capacity of Nepal’s national and sub-national institutions responsible for disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response.  Nationally, Tayar Nepal works with the newly created National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) and other disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) entities to improve how national-level systems and institutions address to all types of risks caused by natural hazards and technical disasters. Locally, Tayar Nepal works in target municipalities to enhance local DRRM capacity by working with existing and new local bodies and communities to identify and implement successful DRRM initiatives which are consistent with national level policies and guidelines

Component 3 is Tayar Nepal’s rapid response mechanism designed for rapid activation and mobilization in the event of a disaster. While originally conceptualized for use in the event of a large natural disaster such as earthquake or flood, USAID is activating Component 3 to enable the project to support the NDRRMA in its response to the Covid-19 pandemic which has taken hold in Nepal. The first task order is expected to focus on the following objectives:

• Prepare municipalities for the socio-economic impacts of the Covid-19 crisis
• Pilot replicable livelihood and economic support activities
• Mobilize financial resources to address urgent recovery needs

To implement the six month early economic recovery activity in twelve municipalities, Tayar Nepal needs dedicated Action Fund Managers to manage grants and subcontracts under this program.  

Purpose:

The Action Fund Manager is responsible for managing a portfolio of the Component 3

programming including grants and subcontracts. The Action Fund Manager will ensure the effective design, implementation, and close-out of grants and subcontracts, managing activities through the entire grant and subcontract life cycle. Duties may include but are not limited to issuing grants and proposal solicitations, review, award, implementation, compliance, payments, strengthening grantee capacity, and managing the subcontracts to perform as per agreed scope of work

Responsibilities and Key Tasks:

Grants Management

• Work closely with the technical team in 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. Work with partners to develop grant budget estimates and review 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, including schedule and facilitate meetings to define roles, responsibilities, and timelines for grantees.
• Serve as the Tayar focal point for grantees. Share information with grantees ensuring cohesion and supporting collaborative engagement. Attending meetings and events hosted by partners. Provide updates to and collaborate with Tayar 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 Tayar staff to ensure that activities are implemented in accordance with activity design.
• With grantee and Tayar 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.

Subcontracts Management

• Ensure compliance to all regulations, policies and procedures embodied in the Field Operations Manual.
• Coordinate the drafting of Scope of Work and Request for Proposal.
• Provide orientation sessions to potential subcontractors on RFP, if necessary.
• Coordinate the process of opening and evaluation of proposals.
• Document the entire process of selection of subcontractors.
• Issue and ensure required approvals and coordinate the signing of all subcontracts and its modifications 
• Provide advice to Tayar Program Team on subcontract process and requirements.
• Lead the closing process.

General responsibilities

• Assist Implementation Specialiston grants and subcontracts information, progress, data, etc. for USAID reporting
• Travel frequently priority municipalities to oversee grant and subcontract activities and compliance. Provide feedback to project staff to improve management.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’sdegree in relevant field required. Masters preferred.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience, including at least 3 years of grants management, preferably with international donor-funded projects, UN agencies, or NGOs.

Location and Reporting

TheAction Fund Manager will be based in Kathmandu, will work under the direct supervision of the Implementation Specialist, and in close coordination with Compliance Officer and Component 3 technical team, cross-cutting, and operations teams.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants should submit a CV and cover letter to TayarRecruitment@dai.com  by July 1, 2020.  Please mention the position in the subject line of the email you are applying for.

Women, persons with disabilities, and applicants from marginalized and disadvantaged communities are encouraged to apply.