Honduras: Grants Manager

Organization: Creative Associates International
Country: Honduras
Closing date: 30 Sep 2017

Project Summary

The goal of USAID/Honduras’s proposed Improving Tertiary Violence Prevention activity (ITVP) is to reduce recidivism within targeted populations of the highest-risk juveniles. The development hypothesis for this activity is that if high-quality, tertiary violence prevention services, specialized and targeted by risk levels, are provided to identified juvenile populations at the highest risk, (e.g., those already involved with gangs, crime or the court system), then the repeated criminal and violent offenses by these individuals will be reduced, ultimately contributing to reducing crime and violence in their communities.

USAID understands that a small number of state and non-state actors currently provide a very limited array of services to these populations. However, several fundamental challenges exist which limit the sufficiency, coherence and adequacy of these services to effectively reduce recidivism.

Through this new five-year activity, USAID will seek improved Human and Institutional Capacity Development (HICD) and technical proficiency of state and non-state actors seeking to provide high-quality, specific and targeted services to juvenile tertiary populations. To qualify for support, these actors must be providing (or seeking to provide) services that are explicitly linked to preventing recidivism and likely centered on the themes of rehabilitation, reintegration and the reduction of stigma.

Position Summary and Reporting:

The Grants Manager will serve as the principal point of contact and Manager for Grant Administration. S/he will be responsible for the effective and efficient management of grants administration and to ensure flexible, innovative, and rapid-response mechanisms are designed to target key zones in Honduras. S/he will also ensure that the Grant Management and administration function is always in compliance with Creative and USAID’s policies and procedures; and will work towards capacity building of the recipients as well as the other staff members in the area of grants management. The Grants Manager will report to the Chief of Party.

Primary Responsibilities:

Responsible for ensuring compliance with Creative’s grants policies as detailed in the Field Manual and the project’s Grants Manual;
Responsible for ensuring quality control and the integrity of the data at Creative’s online grants database and ensuring that the data in the system is always up-to-date;
Provides guidance and interpretation of Creative’s grants policies, procedures and regulations to program staff and grantees, as needed;
Organizes and coordinates organizational staffing structure and workflow of grants staff activities and administration;
Provides oversight and management of grants staff and grants program;
Responsible for leading grant development processes: in coordination with the program team and the COP, drafts and issues RFAs or NFOs, provides advisory assistance to NGO/CSO grant applicants and leads the review of grant proposals; Analyzes and evaluates grant proposals and ensures compliance with program objectives; Provides recommendations for award to the COP and corresponding program-team member(s);
Engages in negotiations with grantees and coordinates the issuance of grant agreements;
Coordinates with the operations team (finance and procurement) and the program staff to facilitate grantee kick-off meeting, progress reporting and closeout of grant activities;
Coordinates closely with program staff to ensure timely administration and monitoring of grant agreements;
Ensure that grant master files (hardcopies) are always up-to-date, complete and ready for audit;
Works with the Chief of Party to ensure grants by the program are compliant with the Grants/Activities Manual, including disbursement and monitoring protocols before they are closed;
Provides training in grants compliance to project staff, as needed or as requested by the COP;
Provides the Finance Manager and COP with a bimonthly report on grants disbursement status, and provides quarterly reports on grants issued, status, and any pertinent notes.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in management, financial analysis, business administration or relevant field; Master’s degree in a relevant field preferred;
A minimum of five years’ experience in grants management, preferably in Honduras or Latin America); and a minimum of three years working in international donor-funded projects;
Previews supervisory experience.
Experience managing total grant pools larger than $5 million;
A solid understanding of USAID regulations and procedures pertaining to grants management;
Demonstrated ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects;
Ability to analyze technical and cost proposals and prepare reports and recommendations on whether applicants should be funded;
Ability to analyze budget line items for compliance with budget guidelines;
Strong organizational skills including proven records maintenance and database management;
Ability to work under pressure and efficiently handle multiple tasks; and
Ability to work under own initiative or as a part of a team.
Speaking, writing and reading fluency in English preferred.