Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) Recruits Grants Manager

The Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI), a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-funded project headquartered in Abuja. seeks applications from suitably qualified individuals to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of improved maternal health and reduced child mortality through increased contraceptive prevalence rates in selected 1I1'ban areas in Nigeria.

NURHI is looking for dynamic, hardworking individuals to join our team for the following positions in Abuja:

Grants Manager
The Grants Manager will work in collaboration with the Project Director and other technical staff in the selection, monitoring, and evaluation of the grantees supported under this project. The Grants Manager will work closely with NURHI technical staff in the development of performance-based financing mechanism and processes for selection of grantees through establishment of eligibility criteria, follow a transparent process, and meet the goal') of the NURHI project. S/he will work closely with NURHI technical staff to identify key performance outcomes, quality improvement measures, develop requests for proposals that incentivize these outcomes, and will work closely with the technical staff to evaluate the success of performance-based grantees. Grantees are expected to be primarily commercial and private sector service providers and NGOs, but may include developing grants applicable to select public sector facilities as well
The Grants Manager will be responsible for the full cycle grants process, including management, compliance, quality assurance, and financing issues within grant portfolios. S/he will develop and implement guidelines for the provision of grants and take the lead role in assessing potential grantees .and projects, reviewing and approving grants, and ensuring achievement of project objectives. The Grants Manager will ensure that recommended grants and payments adhere to the appropriate approval protocols and legal compliance requirements, and that sound grant-making practices are applied at every stage of the grants process from guidelines to close out. The Grants Manager will oversee a Grants Assistant, and be responsible for the financial management of jSI's activities under this project.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
•Work with NURHI technical team to identify grantees;
•Develop mechanisms, processes, procedures and systems for performance-based grants to NURHI implementation partners;
•Manage grant portfolios and oversee the grant pipeline;
•Work with the NURHI technical team to establish criteria, benchmarks, performance measurements and guidelines for development of grant instruments;
•Review specific grant proposal packages for completeness, quality assurance and compliance to industry /tax standards;
•Establish and participate in a grant review committee;
•Manage the overall grant submission and approval process for specific portfolios and work with staff from all levels of the organization to resolve grant portfolio issues;
•Lead problem-solving efforts on grants that entail complex financial and technical issues;
•Serve as a key liaison to NURHI staff in resolving issues relevant to grants;
•Assist in the development of project-wide efforts to create continuity, consistency, and standardization in grant making policies, processes, and procedures;
•Monitor and evaluate the performance of grantees;
•Manage Grants Assistant and NURHl's project finance and administration functions.

QUALIFICATIONS:
•A BA or BS and a minimum of5 years experience in grants management;
•Experience with Gates Foundation policies preferred;
•Experience in designing or managing performance-based grants or contracts highly preferred;
•Experience working in family planning/reproductive health programs as well as with commercial markets or private sector health providers preferred;
•Excellent written and oral communication skills, includ.ing a high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations;
•Ability to prepare and analyze complex budget and other related financial documents;
•Experience with accounting and financial reporting;
•Must be flexible, organized, and able to work in a fast-paced environment with proven ability to take initiative and work collaboratively with team members;
•Experience establishing organizational systems to improve efficiency and functioning in a changing environment;
•Ability to approach work with a solution-oriented view; and
•Demonstrated proficiency using MSWord, Outlook, Excel.

Application Deadline
30th March, 2010

Method of Application
To apply send resume, cover letter and three professional references to:
nurhi.recruitment@gmail.com