Grant Officer Job in Nairobi, Kenya

ACDI / VOCA
 
Job Title: Grant Officer
 
Department: Grants
 
Location: Nairobi
 
Reports To: Grants Manager    
 
Summary: As part of the U.S. government’s expanded Feed the Future strategy in Kenya, ACDI / VOCA is implementing a five-year, USAID - funded program to increase economic growth in the counties of Marsabit and Isiolo by building a more inclusive and competitive livestock value chain.

The REGAL-AG program builds upon and deepens the USAID investment in select areas to improve the inclusiveness and competitiveness of the livestock value chain in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties while furthering livestock-related economic opportunities.  

A key focus on the project involves facilitating behavior change in actors all along the chain – from livestock keepers, to middlemen, traders, transporters, and buyers – in order to improve their economic resilience and stimulate growth.

In order to garner community-driven, basic infrastructure improvement projects that will help lay the foundation for improved market access for pastoralists, REGAL-Accelerated Growth has established a Community Contracting Fund. 

This flexible contracting mechanism will provide investment in livestock-focused infrastructure in order to alleviate market constraints and benefit the local communities; it will also provide infrastructural investments to private sector led projects. 

We expect these investments to result in more efficient market places, and increased revenue for community institutions as well as county governments. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Grant Office will work under the guidance of the Grants Manager and will be based in Nairobi with significant travel to the field. 

He/She will be responsible for managing a portfolio of in-kind grants and construction contracts, from pre-award to close out. 

As necessary, the Grants Officer will also provide general support to the Finance Unit. 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities 

Pre-Award
  • Assist in logging in of all grant applications/concept papers and compliance review of the same.
  • Work with selected grantees and sub-contractors to ensure budgets are in line with program activities and that costs are reasonable, allowable and allocable
  • Assist in conducting pre-award/due diligence assessments for prospective grantees.
Award
  • Prepare grant and contractor award documents for review by the Grants Manager and approval by relevant parties. This will include grant and contractor agreements, negotiation memorandums and modification documents among others.
Post-Award
  • Assist with procurement specific to in-kind grants, monitor and track grantee expenditures in line with ACDI/VOCA Procurement policies and standards.
  • Assist in facilitating the processing of payments to contractors.
  • Maintain tracking schedules of grantee and contractor payments, expenses and reconciliations.
  • Identify grantee capacity building needs and provide technical assistance where needed
  • Filing and maintaining proper records of the Community Contracting Fund (CCF) and sub-grantees.
Close-Out
  • Ensure the timely and proper close out of grants. This will involve preparing relevant close-out documents for approval to include disposition documentation, modification agreements on close out where appropriate, close out checklists, release of liability documentation etc.
Other
  • Support CFO and Accountant with other CCF and Finance Sector activities.
  • Maintain up to date knowledge of USAID rules and regulations and ensure implementation at all times
  • Any other duties as may be assigned.
Education & Experience Requirements
  • Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field, including business, accounting, or compliance
  • At least CPA Part II
  • Three to five years of related experience in grants, subcontracts, procurement, and compliance with donor regulations
  • Expert with FAR & AIDAR as applicable to subcontracting and procurement
  • The ability to apply the clauses and negotiate without management or legal support
  • Ability to independently develop amendments and modifications as a result of negotiations
  • Strong written and oral communication skills as well as thorough familiarity with Microsoft Office applications
  • Previous attendance at USAID training in contracting and compliance preferred
  • Motivated to grow and develop professionally
To be considered for this recruitment, please e-mail your resume to regalag@joinav.org  no later than April 28th, 2016. 

Please include the position title in the subject line.  

No phone calls please.  

Only finalists contacted.  

Women and minorities encouraged to apply.  

EOE.