Grants Specialist at Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) - 3 Openings

Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) is an international development company. For more than 45 years, we have worked on the frontlines of international development, tackling fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. Currently, DAI is delivering results that matter in some 80 countries.

Our development solutions turn ideas into impact by bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple disciplines. Our clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and national governments.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Grants Specialist

Locations: Gombe, Sokoto, and Adamawa
Start date: November 2020 - August 6, 2025

Background

• The purpose of the five-year (2020-2025) “State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness” (“State2State”) Activity is to increase the accountability, transparency and effectiveness of selected state and local governments (LGAs) in Nigeria.
• This will be achieved by: strengthening governance systems (with a focus on public financial management [PFM] and procurement, as well as monitoring and evaluation) related to the delivery of services in key sectors (basic education, primary health care, and water, saanitation and hygiene [WASH]); increasing government responsiveness to citizen needs and priorities; and improving government and civil society capacity to manage conflict (through work on prevention, mitigation and reconciliation with the same sectoral partners, not stand-alone assistance to the police or judiciary).
• State2State will achieve this purpose by facilitating the strengthening of subnational governance systems in a sustainable manner, supporting the efforts of local reformers and building on locally-derived solutions including, to the extent possible, reforms already working in other parts of Nigeria.

Position Objectives

• The Grants Specialist will provide support to the Grants Manager in Bauchi in support of the grant implementation process in respective activity states of Gombe, Sokoto or Adamawa.

Responsibilities
The Grants Specialist will:

• Oversee grant implementation and work with grantees to ensure that activities are implemented in accordance with activity design.
• Facilitate grantee and program team to resolve issues that arise during grant implementation.
• Generate and review all aspects of grant agreements with grantees and ensure all activities are implemented in line with the activity design.
• Ensure that all grant activities are properly documented from the start of implementation to grant close-down.
• Provide procedures and policy guidance and interpretation for program staff as well as sub- grantees to ensure adherence to grant management policies.
• Analyze and evaluate grant applications, proposals and awards to ensure adherence to grants management policies.
• Ensure proper negotiation of the terms and conditions for sub-grants.
• Review and analyze budget estimates for allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and consistency.
• Prepare grant agreements and assist with supervision/implementation of grant, including closure and disposition plans.
• Monitor grantees and subcontracting organizations to confirm that funds allocated are used for specified purposes.
• Monitor the procurement process under the grant to ensure competitiveness and compliance
• Prepare regular reports on grants to Chief of Party

Reporting:

• The Grants Specialist will report to the Grants Manager in Bauchi.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Aconomics, or relevant field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Working knowledge of US Government operations, policies, and procedures, and FAR regulations preferred.
• At least nine (9) years of experience in grants design and administration (experience with grants award and grants management as well as prior experience in the award and administration of subcontracts), preferably in the good governance sector.
• Working knowledge of USAID Contract Management and Grants Management policies and procedures required.
• Experience implementing grant policies and procedures required.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with a wide range of organizations, beneficiaries, and related parties.
• Ability to work under own initiative or as a part of a team
• Experience of working in a conflict environment is a plus.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Fluency in one or more of the local languages spoken in the state of interest is preferred

Application Closing Date
20th November, 2020.