Grants Specialist - ACDI/VOCA

Since 1963 and in 146 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society. 

Job Description

Overview

The USAID-funded Ghana Market Systems and Resilience Activity (MSR) is a five-year, $35.9M follow-on Activity to the USAID/Ghana ADVANCE II. The MSR Activity will leverage over a decade of experience linking smallholders to markets, inputs, and services in Ghana.

The Activity will strengthen commercial relationships between market actors, improve the rural entrepreneurship ecosystem to enable greater market participation, particularly for women and youth, expand the availability of agribusiness services, and link targeted policy initiatives to improved local economic governance. These activities will result in competitive, stronger, and more resilient markets, thus increasing inclusive agriculture-led economic growth in northern Ghana.

Under its mission, ACDI/VOCA is seeking experienced and talented professionals for the Grants Specialist position. The position will be based in Tamale and will report directly to the Grants Director.  The position requires a highly skilled, fast-paced and meticulous awards management specialist to coordinate, plan, implement, and monitor key aspects of grant activities.

They would maintain accurate filing systems, conduct due diligence on partners, review milestone submissions and provide needed assistance to partners to ensure compliance with USAID and ACDI/VOCA award management guidelines.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Sub-grants portfolio

• Record potential activities and grantees identified by the Grants Manager
• Manage files related to grant funding, including solicitations, proposal and budget guidelines, and grant funding instructions and procedures.
• Support Grants Management Review Committee during the grantee selection process Organizes and participates in pre-award orientations. Ensures grantees understand program expectations, terms and conditions of funding, and assists them in meeting funding and regulatory requirements, including donor standards and provisions.
• Creates training tools and develops modules to help build capacity for sub-awardees

Systems and procedures

• Maintain detailed systems and procedures for the management of grants activities including grant agreement templates and other compliance-related documents related to the solicitation, review, and approval of grant requests, as well as the monitoring and close out of grant awards; payment invoices, procurements, and fund transfer requests to sub-recipients; tracking/monitoring systems.
• Participate in monitoring visits with national and regional technical staff to ensure that funds allocated are used for specified purposes.

Ensure compliance and regulation

• Assist Grants Manager, to ensure all documentation and files are accurate, complete, and compliant with USAID and ACDI/VOCA rules and regulations.
• Identify risk in grants management and inform the Grants Manager in a timely manner.
• Assist the Grants Manager in obtaining information and documentation requested by ACDI/VOCA HQ during audits and/or internal reviews.
• Develops grant budgets, prepares cash forecasts, and monitors grant expenditures, alerting management to irregularities, and recommending alternatives/best practice as needed. Reviews business plans, develops grant agreements, follows up on outstanding grants and obtains required deliverables. Provides compliance review of procurement, financial transactions, contracts and grants. Participates in the preparation of responses to audit requests and donor-specific reporting requirements for subawards and subcontracts

?Effective internal & external communication

• Ensure effective communication with RDC team and grantees
• Ensure any update of grants/grantee information at his/her end, is communicated to the Grants Manager.
• Coordinate with finance and procurement as and when required

Required Skills or Experience

• A minimum of University Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years work experience in Grants/Awards Management, Accounting, or Finance related  to managing external portfolios/packages.
• Previous experience with USAID or international NGO projects preferred.
• Demonstrated technical and administrative report and concept writing skills required.
• Proven ability to effectively use Microsoft databases, spreadsheet, word processing, and position-specific software required.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently both independently and as part of a team. Must possess strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong sense of personal initiative and ability to meet deadlines.

Salary: Starts at $1000 monthly