Subaward Manager, TAConnect Nigeria at Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI)

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: Subaward Manager, TAConnect Nigeria

Job Code: 5726
Location: Abuja
Maximum Level of Effort: Full Time
Reporting: TAConnect Incubation Manager

Background

• DAI is one of the largest and most trusted international development firms in the world, with 47 years of experience implementing programmes and providing technical advisory services to multinational corporations, corporate foundations, development finance institutions, bilateral donor agencies, and governments. Over the years, we have worked in over 180 countries and currently manages a portfolio of 210 projects valued cumulatively at US$3 billion. We tackle fundamental problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governments, and instability, bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple sectors: health, education, environment and energy, post-conflict stability, economic growth, governance, technology, and sustainable business.
• DAI in Nigeria is a locally-registered business, with corporate offices in Lagos and Abuja, and a portfolio of donor and foundation-funded activities of more than US$100 million. In addition to supporting projects, the Platform provides foundations, businesses, and government entities in Nigeria with immediate access to services from DAI staff in Nigeria and other parts of our corporate network.  DAI Nigeria has been working in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) over the past year to establish and incubate TAConnect as an innovative TA delivery platform, set up to provide comprehensive, coordinated technical assistance and institutional strengthening support to State Governments.
• DAI Nigeria is in the process of registering TAConnect as a legal entity with the CAC and will begin to transition TAConnect to exist and function as an independent fully registered organization over the next six months. In preparation for the transition, DAI Nigeria is recruiting a Subaward Manager on behalf of TAConnect.

Position

• The Subaward Manager is responsible for managing the financial and operational aspects of sub awards solicited and issued by TAConnect.
• S/he will work under the TAConnect Incubation Manager and will work closely with other TAConnect programme staff and staff from the DAI Nigeria Operations Teams, Finance Teams, Program Teams.
• The Subaward Manager will initially work with TAConnect under a contract with DAI Nigeria for the duration of the six-month transition period, after which his/her employment contract would be transferred to TAConnect in the capacity of a full time TAConnect employee.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Sub Awards Management:

• Participate in the development of the overall programmatic strategy and the strategy for the subawards program, which includes both grants and subcontracts.
• Participate in the design of new initiatives that require partnership strategies and manage the relationships with prospective partners.
• Create, improve and streamline workflow processes, standard forms, agreement templates, and tools needed for successful Subaward management of the TA Hub.
• Suggest improvements, clarify and maintain the Subaward Manual with practical and streamlined approaches, based on best practices – learning from and utilizing the volume and wealth of resources DAI’s worldwide grants management projects can provide.
• Maintain the online Subaward Management workflow process and document repository – update the system, tools, and workflows as necessary.
• Administer competitive processes in accordance with the TA Hub Subaward Manual that clearly defines and communicates steps for selecting, negotiating and awarding sub awards.
• Responsible for the review of subaward applicants’ budgets and budget narratives for completeness, cost realism and compliance with budget requirements.
• Responsible for pre-award financial review and other due diligence of apparently successful applicants.
• Work closely with sub-recipient organizations to ensure they are complying with the terms, conditions, deliverables and expectations of their subaward agreements.
• Draft modifications to subawards, as needed.
• Review sub-recipient financial and programmatic reports for correctness and completeness and ensure that reports are submitted on time.
• Develop sub-recipient monitoring plans, conduct financial and programmatic monitoring of sub-recipients.
• Visit sub-recipients and produce regular financial and programmatic monitoring visit reports.
• Follow up on all subaward compliance issues and audits and document resolutions.
• Maintain subaward files in accordance with the applicable policies and procedures.
• Process sub-recipient payments and reconcile sub award financial tracking to general ledger reports.
• Responsible for sub award financial close-outs, including ensuring that all requirements of the sub award agreement have been met and that sub award funds have been properly settled.
• Assist the program team with assessing sub-recipient organizational needs, so that the sub award process strengthens the ability of local NGOs/CSOs to meet world-class standards.

Partnership & Partner Capacity Building:

• Provide strategic program guidance and technical support for subaward capacity building through provision of support to partner organizations as required and in coordination with the relevant program team.
• Conduct the capacity assessment of identified organizations using DAI’s MCAT tool and using findings, support partner organizations to create capacity development plans.
• Refine organizational development tools and recommend best approaches for partner capacity development based on existing DAI knowledge and experience.
• Deliver training to build partner capacity and technical competencies.
• Support peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and peer mentorship opportunities, including field site visits and learning events.
• Provide technical guidance to develop/strengthen the partner organization’s administrative and financial management systems and structures.
• Work closely with consortium-level sub-recipient organizations to ensure they are managing subawards in accordance with their agreements.

Compliance:

• Ensure that sub awards are executed in alignment with the prime award agreement and the applicable donor regulations, staying abreast of changes in the regulatory environment related to donor/grant compliance.
• Identify and communicate compliance risks associated with program implementation.
• Work with program teams to ensure that program activities are designed to be compliant while facilitating the achievement of the program objectives.
• Review procurement and program transactions, contracts and other documents for compliance requirements and ensure these requirements are met.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of approval requests to the relevant donor.
• Prepare prior approval, waiver and other compliance requests to the donor. Assist sub-recipients, as needed with requests.
• Prepare and maintain internal and donor compliance-related reports.
• Provide leadership and direction concerning any grant or subcontract functions needed for the program’s success and to provide input on program functions.
• Provide regular compliance guidance and consultations to sub-recipients on a demand-driven basis.
• Develop and conduct sub-recipient financial and compliance training workshops;

Representation:

• Interface with the (donor) representatives to convey information about programs as appropriate.
• Participate in sharing best practices both internally and externally.
• Consistently demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure, even under difficult circumstances.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
• Demonstrate an awareness of his/her strengths and development needs.

Accountability:

• Reports Directly To: TAConnect Incubation Manager
• Works Directly With: Program Team, DAI Finance Department, (with authority for technical financial matters); Operations Department, Program Managers, HQ Compliance, and others

Knowledge and Experience

• Master's degree or equivalent in relevant field Social science, Management, finance required; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 10 years of relevant field or management experience of complex, multi-dimensional programming including administering small subawards in an international environment.
• At least 5 years’ experience in grants & sub-grant management is required. Understanding of multiple donor compliance frameworks is strongly preferred including but not limited to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, DFID and / or EU regulations preferred.
• Demonstrated experience and skill with administrating solicitations for sub awards, assessing potential sub-recipients and the proven ability to oversee a team that is responsible for monitoring sub-recipients.
• Strong knowledge and experience working with donors to obtain approvals and waivers as necessary for compliance with donor regulations.
• Prior management experience developing workflows, processes, and templates strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and prioritization skills.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Previous experience in insecure environments.

Success Factors:

• The successful candidate will have an ability to interact effectively across international and national program teams successfully, both in a managerial as well as training capacity.
• S/he will be able to support programmatic objectives with timely and meaningful financial information, have a demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities.
• An impeccable professional standard of program, finance and procurement ethics and the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with DAI and donor policies and procedures is essential. The Sub Award Manager must be willing to travel regularly within Nigeria.

Application Closing Date
10th February, 2021.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: DAI will only contact candidates that are successful at this pre-qualification stage.