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Job Title:   Strategic Investment Funds (Grants) Specialist

Organisation: RTI International

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About US:

RTI International is a non-profit organization headquartered in the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina. RTI provides research and technical services. It was founded in 1958 with $500,000 in funding from local businesses and the three North Carolina universities that form the Research Triangle.

Job Summary:  The Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) Specialist works under the direction of the SIF Manager to assure quality management of grantees from inception to closure and provides oversight and technical direction to the SIF for the USAID/Uganda Biodiversity for Resilience (B4R) Activity. This position supports the SIF Manager, Finance and Operations Director (FOD), and technical team to manage the overall SIF subawards and the activities required for cost share. In addition to technical management and monitoring role, the incumbent will ensure that grantee program and operations staff improve their understanding of different granting mechanisms and build their capacity to adhere to USAID and RTI regulations related to reporting, human resources, asset management, and procurement.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Grants Management and Compliance

• Serve as a first point of contact on grant management and compliance issues with the local Grantees
• Guide the review of any new granting mechanisms to ensure adherence to donor requirements related to eligibility for the local grantees, budget presentation, acceptability of cost allocation and other requirements.
• Support timely agreement development/review/approval, ensuring adherence to both internal RTI and donor requirements.
• Support timely response to donor requests related to local grant agreements, budgets and Spending.
• Anticipate and respond to RTI and grantee questions related to agreements, budgets and spending.
• Review, communicate and monitor compliance with donor requirements related to staffing, purchasing, and asset management and reporting.
• Identify compliance gaps and related solutions – including differences between donor and Grantee internal policies and procedures, including cost allocation.
• Ensure the timely reporting to B4R management of any identified compliance risks.
• Review payments to Grantees against approved milestones and maintain appropriate trackers.
• Resolve grant compliance issues that arise by arranging for technical support from the RTI Grant and Compliance team.
• Participate in monitoring timely local grants closure – engaging both finance and program staff well in advance of closure deadlines and advising on issues related to staffing, disposition, and reporting.

Internal Control Assessment

• Take lead in site visits to potential Grantees to assess adequacy of internal controls, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and RTI policies and procedures. Report findings to program management including proposed follow-up with grantees based on issues surfaced.
• Perform on-going monitoring and assessment of partner capacity to accurately record and post all transactions.
• Ensure adequate response and monitoring to implement recommendations of all financial audits and partner capacity assessments
• Lead and coordinate the implementation of the RTI grantee guidelines. Ensure all partners are effectively assessed; categorized and all corrective actions are fully implemented.

Financial management and analysis

• Review budget comparison reports to ensure adherence to restrictions online-item flexibility and stated restrictions on accepted costs. Support follow up actions to resolve any identified problems.
• Monitor the budgets and expenses at least on a monthly basis and ensure that the commitments to local partners do not exceed the available budget.
• Ensure timely receipt and review of monthly expenditure reports from Grantees/ Local partner organizations.
• Ensure documentation of local partner reviews outlining justification of any rejections.
• Review of expenses and detailing improvements required.
• Review of cost share /Match expenses and maintain a tracker for Grantee cost share.
• Timely processing of grantee funds requests.

Capacity Building

• Through formal training, on the job support and monitoring, build the capacity of local partner staff in grants/contract compliance.
• Prepare and implement training and technical assistance as needed to address capacity needs and reinforce grant management, e.g., financial management, budget analysis, policies and procedures, GAAP, and basic accounting, etc.
• Coordinate planning and implementation of institutional capacity assessment and periodic review of potential new partner organizations.
• Conduct and coordinate with other Project team monitoring visits to local partner organizations to assess adequacy of internal controls and to provide onsite mentoring and technical assistance. Detail site findings and ensure implementation of recommendations/corrective action plan and follow-up requirements.
• Support local partners in attaining financial sustainability; developing and implementing training modules and ensuring checks and balances.
• Support the leadership of local partner organizations to maintain high operating standards and ensure accountability.
• Actively participate in program meetings as appropriate to effectively plan and collectively coordinate financial and programmatic activities in conjunction with local partner capacity building initiatives.
• Support the procurement specialist with other operational processes as needed including technical grantee related procurements.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The applicant must hold a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration and 6 years related field experience is required, or Professional qualification in accounting (ACCA, CPA or equivalent), preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience working with international NGOs, 3 of which should be in USAID Grants, Finance, and compliance and in management positions.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, coaching, facilitation, teamwork, and leadership skills
• Solid computer skills in Word and Excel and experience with financial and other software (spreadsheets, accounting packages).
• Ability to set priorities, quality work and manage time effectively.
• Demonstrated ability in building capacity and providing training and technical assistance, and experience working with Local organizations.
• Self-guided, strong organizational and planning skills.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure.

How to Apply:

All candidates should apply online at the link below.

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