Grants Manager
Monrovia, Liberia
Contingent upon award of the project grant

Position Summary
The grants manager will ensure proper maintenance and functioning of the grants management system of Pact Liberia. This includes developing grants management systems and procedures, and monitoring the entire process from solicitation through closeout and ensuring proper compliance with donor regulations. The Grants Manager may supervise one or two staff in the Grants Unit.

Core Values: Pact employees embrace the following core values as representatives of the institution:

• all people have a right to participate in decisions affecting their lives
• gender equity is mandatory for social transformation
• resources are allocated in a transparent manner, guided by accountability to our clients and Pact’s role as steward of resources intended for the poor
• diversity in background, gender and age strengthen our capacity to be wise managers of public and private funds
• teamwork and collaboration shape our day-to-day working relationships
• innovation and risk taking to achieve impact and broad scaleable results drive strategic priorities
• gathering and sharing information are primary roles for all employees
• staff growth and advancement are a priority, including training and professional skills building to increase knowledge and competence and to stay abreast of new developments, especially in technology
• a healthy balance between work and life outside of work must be maintained for work satisfaction and fulfillment

Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership and Management:

• Provide leadership and direction for grants management
• Ensure that all grant documentation is maintained according to Pact standards and donor regulations to the extent that they can be fully audited with no findings
• Develop procedures and processes and ensure full understanding of the grants management process at all levels within the organization
• If applicable, ensure proper implementation of competitive processes for grantee selection
• Coordinate proposal review and oversee grant selection, where applicable
• Conduct pre-award risk assessments and implement due diligence procedures
• Ensure strong link between the grants management and capacity building approach to maximize efforts to strengthen strategic partners
• Serve as the supervisor to any members of the grants staff

Proposal/Grant Management Coordination/Oversight:

• Ensure responsible proposal processing and timeliness of response to agencies
• Analyze, verify and review proposal budgets to ensure donor compliance and reasonableness.
• Coordinate proposal review process and ensure compliance with solicitations and donor regulations
• Coordinate pre-award evaluations and/or assessments of potential grantees, as needed
• Oversee post project assessments of both administrative and financial systems
• Ensure proper documentation of award negotiation
• Ensure that grant modifications for cost/program changes are completed accurately and on time
• Ensure the timely and appropriate close-out of grants
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of USAID and other donor rules and regulations and ensure compliance

Monitoring and Reporting (Financial and Programmatic):

• Collaborate with the monitoring and evaluation specialist to design reporting templates for inclusion in grants and in grantee training
• Monitor grantee advance and liquidation balances closely and ensure timely liquidations.
• Review all payment requests to ensure that they meet the standards of allowable, allocable and reasonable; manage grantee budgets so that they do not exceed allowable amounts
• Review programmatic and financial reports from grantees to ensure compliance
• Prepare grant reports to donors and Pact headquarters
• Assist in the compilation of data and preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports
• Closely monitor obligations from donors and grant obligations from Pact to grantees

Compliance Audit Coordination

• Coordinate the investigation of suspected violations of proper applications
• Coordinate the assistance to grantees to resolve audit problems

Qualifications

• Ability to determine the responsibility and grant-worthiness of organizations through financial statements, audits, proposals and other documentation
• Ability to establish and sustain interpersonal and professional relationships with USAID and local and international organizations
• Ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability and willingness travel extensively throughout Liberia on short notice.
• Ability to train and mentor local organizations, often with limited capacity, on grants management and reporting preferred.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelors degree in a related field.
• 2-5 years experience managing award and administration of Federal grants or contracts or comparable experience in law, business or finance.
• Working knowledge of OMB Circulars; Federal Acquisition Regulations; applicable legislation for USAID; and grants and cooperative agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise financial oversight of sub-grant programs
• Professional experience in Liberia or similar setting in Africa
• Experience supervising staff.