USAID ERA looks for Grаnts Оfficer

USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) was designed to strengthen the economy and improve the resilience of businesses and communities in eastern Ukraine following Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and the seizure of territory in Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts by Russia-backed separatists. Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, ERA had focused interventions on Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, and the Sea of Azov region (Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts). With the February onset of war in eastern and southern Ukraine, ERA’s implementation geographic regions now include the Ukrainian Government-controlled areas of the whole of Ukraine.

ERA has shifted its focus from interventions targeting businesses and communities in the eastern regions, to supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs), micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), universities, and other partners from those regions as they move westward to safety and to re-establish operations. As a result, ERA’s area of operations has changed from “the east” to supporting IDPs and partners that originated from the east and relocated to other locations “anywhere” in Ukraine. ERA provides technical assistance and co-investment support to MSMEs, financial services providers, local NGOs, educational institutions, local authorities, and consolidated communities. USAID support will enable partners to acquire and test new technologies, rebuild and scale businesses to new markets, build capacity, leverage IT solutions, and share information.

APPROACH

USAID Economic Resilience Activity’s work is centered on three pillars:

1. Stabilization and Inclusion: building the capabilities of vulnerable populations to be able to capitalize on entrepreneurial and MSME economic opportunities;
2. Business Revival: helping MSMEs relocate and rebuild marketing and supply chains;
3. New Economy: working with coalitions and leaders to build confidence in the sustainable Ukrainian state, articulate a vision for the future, and put in place the building blocks for a modern, diverse, and MSME-friendly post-war economy.

About the job

The Grants Officer is 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 Officer leads in the provision of technical and administrative support in building capacity of local sub‐grantees to effectively manage grants in support of the work necessary to achieve results.

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• 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, specific 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 specific 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 Grants Financial Officer 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 Finance unit for further payment procedure.
• Maintain meticulous electronic grant records in the project management system as per checklists and procedures. 
• Work closely with the grantee, the technical teams, and the Grants Director to ensure timely closeout, disposition, and final reports for grants.

About you

Required

• Minimum of 3 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. Preference will be given to the candidates with English level IV (Fluent).
• Ukrainian level IV (Fluent) Reading/Writing/Speaking is required.

In this position, you are expected to share the DAI’s four core values:

• Integrity: commit to civil and ethical behavior, play by the rules, and do the right thing;
• Responsibility: Be accountable to clients, partners, grant recipients, beneficiaries, colleagues, and communities where we work. If you fall short, you own up, fix the problem, and get it right the next time;
• Excellence: adhere to the highest technical and professional standards in innovation, learning, and service;
• Global Citizenship: respect cultural diversity and treat everyone everywhere with professionalism and dignity to make the world a better place.

We offer

Contract length: 12 months with possible extension

Designation of Duty Location: Kyiv or Lviv

Start date: April 2023

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with USAID ERA Terms of Employment and the Ukrainian Labor Code.

Application process

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English to [email protected]. Only selected candidates with relevant experience will be contacted for an interview.

Closing date for applications: March 26, 2023.