Senior Action Fund Manager

Senior Action Fund Manager 

USAID Tayar Nepal Improved Disaster Risk Management Project 

Scope of Work

DAI works at the cutting edge of international development, combining technical excellence, professional project management, and exceptional customer service to solve our clients’ most complex problems. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 developing and transition countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including crisis mitigation, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and host-country governments. More information about DAI can be found on the DAI website (www.dai.com).

Project Background

USAID/Nepal’s Tayar Nepal – Improved Disaster Risk Management Project is strengthening the capacity of Nepal’s national and subnational institutions responsible for disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and response.  At the national level Tayar Nepal supports building the capacity of disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) institutions such as National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Authority (NDRRMA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), Ministry of Federal Affairs & General Administration (MoFAGA) and others.  Locally, Tayar Nepal works in target municipalities to enhance local DRRM capacity by working with existing and new local governments and communities to identify and implement successful inclusive DRRM initiatives which are consistent with national level laws, policies, strategies, and guidelines. In the event of a disaster, USAID/Nepal may engage the project’s rapid emergency response mechanism. The program will apply lessons learned from disaster response efforts to improve national-level DRRM systems and municipal-level risk-reduction and management interventions.

Position Overview

The Senior Action Fund Manager is responsible for supervising a team of Action Fund Managers and providing continuous guidance in the management of a portfolio of Tayar Action Fund programming, including grants and subcontracts.  The Senior Action Fund Manager also maintains a roster of grants and subcontracts in the overall portfolio of Tayar’s activities.  In collaboration with the COP, DCOP, and other members of the Technical team, the Senior 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 supervising staff, 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.

Essential Duties

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.
• Provide guidance on policies and procedures for Tayar staff as well as grantees to ensure adherence to grant management policies.
• Serve as the Tayar focal point for grantees and sub-contractors. Share information with grantees and sub-contractors 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 and sub-contractors 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.
• Conduct periodic audits of subcontractor files (physical, digital and TAMIS).
• Lead the closing process.

General responsibilities

• Reports to the Deputy Chief of Party and work closely with technical team on grants and sub-contracts information, progress, data, etc. for USAID reporting
• Travels frequently to Nepalgunj and priority municipalities to oversee grant and subcontract activities and compliance. Provide feedback to project staff to improve management.
• Assists and collaborate in external or internal audits as necessary
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Level of Effort, Location and Reporting

The level of effort is 260 days per year. The employment contract will be on a yearly basis, with possible extensions until the close of the project. The Senior Action Fund Manager reports to the Deputy Chief of Party.  The position is based in Kathmandu, with travel to priority Tayar municipalities.

Qualifications: 

• University degree in relevant field required. Masters preferred.
• At least 12 years of relevant experience, including at least 5 years of grants and subcontracts management, preferably with international donor-funded projects, UN agencies, or NGOs.
• Demonstrated understanding and experience working with grantees and subcontractors and grants and subcontractor procedures
• Ability to professionally communicate across all levels of an organization and the external
• Skilled in strategic thinking and planning
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and fluency in English

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

Interested applicants should submit an updated CV to TayarRecruitment@dai.com  by January 19, 2022.