Grants Manager, Location Краматорськ

1. Project Background:

 The purpose of the USAID Economic Resilience Activity is to improve the overall economic resilience of eastern Ukraine in response to Russian aggression, which has disrupted critical market linkages, catalyzed the economic decline of previously dominant industries, and caused massive population disruption. Resilience is “the ability of people, households, communities, countries, and systems to mitigate, adapt to, and recover from shocks and stresses in a manner that reduces chronic vulnerability and facilitates inclusive growth.” This activity aims to improve the economic resilience of eastern Ukraine through accomplishing the following objectives:

• OBJECTIVE 1: Provide assistance to stabilize the economy of eastern Ukraine
• OBJECTIVE 2: Support the sustainable development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in eastern Ukraine
• OBJECTIVE 3: Build confidence in the future of the eastern Ukrainian economy

By accomplishing these objectives, the economy of eastern Ukraine will be more diversified, more integrated with the rest of Ukraine, less dependent on Russia, and the region’s residents will be better equipped to compete for the jobs of the future, thereby improving the economic resilience of the region.  The activity will work primarily in the oblasts most affected by Russia’s aggression, Donetsk and Luhansk—together known as the “Donbas” region—but will also be active in the surrounding oblasts and throughout Ukraine as required to achieve the objectives. See C.6 Geographic Targeting for a more comprehensive definition of “eastern Ukraine.”

2. Role’s Purpose:

 The Grants Manager will be responsible for proficiently managing and administering a sizable and complex array of grants under contract, many with local organizations unaccustomed to the complexities of administering USG funds. The Grants Manager will lead in the provision of technical and administrative support in building capacity of local grantees to effectively manage grants in support of the work necessary to achieve results.

3. Objectives and Duties:

• Work closely with program technical teams and Grants Director to identify grant concepts into implementable solutions (including solicitations) to further work plan objectives

• Administer the grantee selection process to ensure that policies and procedures are upheld as outlined in the approved Grants Manual.
• Consult the technical teams in preparing a clear and comprehensive grant SOW to eligible grantees.
• Negotiate grant terms, special conditions, standard provisions and budgets with selected grantees
• Review and analyze budget estimates for allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and consistency
• Review and assess the capacity of a prospective grantee to manage the type of grant considered, make recommendations to the technical teams and Grants Director on the appropriate grant type and suggest special conditions.
• Co-develop capacity building plans for grantees, as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable USAID grants-under contract regulations, the approved Grants Manual, and DAI internal grants management procedures and forms. Maintain all required grants management documentation and ensure entry of grants information in project management system
• Manage and consult with the technical teams to ensure deliverables are to standard.
• Provide continuous assessments of grantee performance delivery against project objectives through regular review of grantee progress towards deliverables and milestones, escalate issues to Technical Leads and Grants Director for troubleshooting
• Provide procedures and policy guidance and interpretation for grantees to ensure adherence to their grant agreement
• Work closely with the Director of Finance and Administration to ensure that accrued grant liabilities are accurately tracked, and progress payments are processed on a timely basis
• Review all requests for payment or reimbursement for accuracy, compliance, and sufficient detail to ensure compliance with the grant agreement. Submit requests for payment to the Director of Finance for payment.
• Maintain meticulous electronic grant records in the project management system as per checklists and procedures. Maintain a hardcopy backup of any hardcopy grant documents.
• Work closely with the grantee, the technical teams, and the Grants Director to ensure timely closeout, disposition, and final reports for grants.

4. Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in international business and grants management, with experience in USAID grants management preferred
• Demonstrated record of achieving results in grants management with international development programs
• Strong interpersonal skills and written and oral communication skills
• Language requirements are as follows:
• English level III (General working proficiency) Reading/Writing/Speaking
• Russian level IV (Fluent) Reading/Writing/Speaking is required

Submission Instructions: Please submit CVs in English to [email protected]. Submissions are accepted until November 15, 2018.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. No email or phone inquiries, please. When submitting your CV, please include position title in the email subject line.