Procurement / Grants Expert - Palladium Group

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits. 

For the past 50 years, we have been making Positive Impact possible. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of more than 35,000 technical experts, Palladium has improved – and is committed to continuing to improve – economies, societies and most importantly, people’s lives. 

Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provide equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status. 

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Project Overview and Role:

The Ghana Mobilizing Finance for Agriculture (MFA) Activity is designed to increase the amount of commercial financing available for agriculture which enables capital investment and trade in target agricultural value chains. MFA will use incentives to spur agricultural finance market behavior change and system reforms leading to improved economic growth for Ghana through agribusiness, as well as inclusive growth among the stakeholders within this system.

The Procurement/Grants Expert will work in close collaboration with the Procurement/Grants Director and the Ghana-based project team and lead the design, procurement, and management of all technical GUCs, subcontracts and related compliance and reporting activities. They are primarily responsible for assisting with all procurements initiated from the field office, ensuring that they are compliant with USAID and Palladium policies and regulations, as well as assisting with oversight of the management of the grant program. This will include designing and conducting grant solicitations and procurements, managing grantee relationships, ensuring that all activities are compliant with project policies, and maintaining a filing system for future audit. In addition, they will contribute to the development of the Grants Manual, conduct due diligence, and spot-check sub-awardees.

 Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The Procurement/Grants Expert will be responsible for the following:

Procurement:

• Coordinate with Procurement/Grants Director to oversee procurement of all goods and services for the project, ensuring compliance with Palladium policies
• Draft RFPs, RFIs, EOIs, etc. for procurements initiated from the field office
• Organize bidders’ conferences as required, answer questions from interested bidders, and manage post-conference communications
• Serve as procurement manager and organize procurement committees and reviews of proposals, as appropriate
• Review invoices for local goods/services for the project and recommend for payment
• Maintain a filing system for all procurement documentation in preparation for future audit
• Other tasks as may be deemed necessary by the Procurement/Grants Director or CO

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Grants:

• Design and conduct grants solicitation and advertisements
• Draft the project Grants Manual in collaboration with the Procurement/Grants Director and home office team
• Design and prepare Grant Review Guidelines for evaluators, including scoring formats
• Convene the Grant Committee Meetings, lead negotiations with applicants, and prepare the Memorandum of Negotiations and Responsibility Determination Statement, awards and execution
• Negotiate, in collaboration with Palladium HQ, grant terms and agreements, with potential grantees
• Oversee grants administration, compliance, and implementation procedures, and ensure compliance with USAID grants regulations, including procurement regulations
• Conduct grants tracking and reporting, ensuring timely usage of grants funds as per annual work plans
• Issue instructions and provide guidance to grantees for the Branding and Marking Plan and Monitoring and Evaluation of grant implementation practices
• Direct and oversee grants close out and final reporting
• Other tasks as deemed necessary 

Required Qualifications:

• Proven experience in grants and procurement of USAID projects required
• Attention to detail and ability to perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities effectively and efficiently
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Professional and mature demeanor and conduct
• Ghanaian nationals preferred, residency and right to work in Ghana required.

Experience/Education:

• A degree in a relevant subject (business, management, accounting) required
• At least five years of experience working in procurement and grants management for a USAID project