Location: Wajir County
This position is contingent upon receipt of funding and donor approval.
Program / Department Summary: Mercy Corps began working in Kenya in 2008 to address the societal wounds following the 2007 post-election violence. Since that time, Mercy Corps has built a robust and diverse portfolio in Kenya that is working to address structural causes of poverty and injustice and to strengthen systems that enable men, women and children to access opportunities, participate in and contribute to peaceful democratic processes, and thrive in the face of ecological and social change.
To do this, we deliver integrated programming to strengthen market and governance systems, address the root causes of conflict, and equip vulnerable populations- in particular youth, women, adolescents and marginalized social groups- with the skills, opportunities and resources they need to be healthy, productive and to drive the development of their communities.
We work closely with the private sector, civil society and governance structures at local and national levels to facilitate change and ensure that opportunities are inclusive of all Kenyans.
Mercy Corps seeks to implement a 5-year, 20 million GBP program funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) entitled Reducing Insecurity (and Violent Extremism) in the Northern and Coastal Regions of Kenya (RE-INVENT). RE-INVENT aims to enhance Kenyan capacity and capability at the national, county and local levels to address five types of inter-related violence: inter-communal conflict, weak community-police relations, violence against women and girls (VAWG), violent extremism and election related violence.
It will support the continued advancement of police reforms to improve the management, oversight and accountability of the police force.
General Position Summary: The Grants Manager works under the guidance and supervision of the RE-INVENT Program Director, working closely alongside the Finance Director, Consortium members and the Mercy Corps Finance team in Kenya. He/She will be based in Wajir with significant travel to the field.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Process
Work closely with the Program Director and Program Manager to develop and administer a comprehensive sub-grant strategy to support downstream partners with the implementation of project activities.
Conduct day to day management and implementation of the grants work plan, including identification of potential partners, administration of the proposal process, administration of the sub-award process, and partner capacity-building.
Propose revisions to grant processes and procedures based on experience and lessons learned and coordinate proposed changes with the Program Director and Finance Director
Pre-Award
Conduct a pre-award assessment for pre-approved sub-recipients.
Work closely with the technical team to identify potential areas of support, eligibility and evaluation criteria.
Work with selected grantees to ensure budgets are in line with program activities and that costs are reasonable, allowable and allocable.
Conduct due diligence assessments on all grants including business feasibility, evaluate environmental requirements and document negotiation process for all prospective grantees.
Work closely with the M&E Team in developing M&E plans to ensure that they are contributing to specific indicators and outcomes
Post-Award
Conduct post-award trainings for the sub-recipients on grants administration, applicable donor regulations and reporting requirements.
Identify sub-recipient/grantee capacity building needs and provide technical assistance where needed and trainings to assure compliance and technical skill-building.
Review sub-recipient/grant reports for accuracy and completeness and regularly monitor their budgets vis-a-vis financial reports and process payments/reimbursements as appropriate.
Conduct grantee site visits as appropriate including technical support and financial monitoring of grants and cost share to ensure proper accounting of grant funds awarded.
Maintain complete and accurate files for all sub-recipient/grant files as per the Field Finance Manual.
Serve as primary point of contact for all correspondence and notifications to grant applicants and grantees.
Close-out
Coordinate the close-out of sub-recipients/grants. This will involve preparing relevant close-out documents for approval such as disposition documentation, modification agreements on close out, close out checklists, release of liability documentation etc.
Other
Responsible for the preparation of monthly and quarterly reports for grant activities that feed into the overall program report.
Ensure that grant activities comply with Mercy Corps and partner internal policies and procedures, as well as DFID rules and regulations.
Participate in the development and implementation of the program’s annual work plans.
Coordinate RE-INVENT expenditure verification and project audits
Ensure that field staff are familiar with grants management procedures.
Any other duties as may be assigned.
Organizational Learning: As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Accountability
Reports directly to: Program Director
Works directly with: Program Director, Program Manager, Field Finance/Grants Team, Program Teams, Implementing Partners.
Knowledge and Experience
A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics or relevant field; advanced degree preferred.
Professional accounting certification CPA (K).
At least seven (7) years of demonstrated professional experience managing grants, subcontracts, procurement and compliance with donor regulations, preferably DFID-funded projects
Strong Accounting skills and experience, including management of the general ledger, journal entries, payables and balance sheet.
Demonstrated experience applying clauses and negotiating without heavy management oversight including developing amendments and modifications as a result of negotiations.
Experience providing capacity-building training to staff and local organizations.
Required Competencies and Skills
Grants Administration
Knowledge and application of best practices in grant management.
Demonstrated knowledge of DFID financial and management systems, regulations and reporting requirements. Evidence of ability to be creative and flexile within those requirements.
Analytical capabilities with accounting procedures and processes for structuring projects.
Knowledge of grants management software and information technology skills.
Management and Communications. Ability to communicate technical, budgetary and program details to staff, grantees and applicants.
Ability to design and implement effective workflow processes and procedures.
Capability to foster an atmosphere which recognizes and respects cultural and individual differences.
Other
Proven abilities in analytical, excel and reporting skills.
Sound judgement with regards to budget and program issues.
Strong analytical and computer skills, with emphasis on budget and financial analysis and advanced computer skills in MS Office, particularly Excel.
Fluency in the English Language, excellent communications and interpersonal skills.
