The Ugandan Jobline

Job Title:   Grants Manager

Organisation: BRAC Uganda

Duty Station: Nsambya, Kampala, Uganda

About US:

BRAC Uganda has grown to become one of the largest non-governmental development organisations in the country since its launch in Uganda in 2006. It acts as a catalyst, creating a multitude of opportunities for people living in poverty to realise their potential to transform their own lives. BRAC Uganda specialises in taking up an idea, testing it, perfecting it and then scaling it up rapidly in a cost-efficient manner without compromising quality. We implement six programmes in thematic areas of Health, Education, Ultra-Poor Graduation, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Empowerment and Livelihood for Adolescents, and Financial Inclusion.

Job Summary: The Grants Manager will support the Country Office in strategic and operational stewardship over donor resources by applying relevant systems, policies, procedures, and tools to ensure that grants and contracts are donor-compliant and best serve the organizational mission. Under the supervision of the Deputy Country Director, while receiving technical support from the HQ Grant Management team, the Grants Manager will ensure that the country program adheres to all its grant management obligations internally within BRAC and externally with donors. This position is empowered to recommend improvements within Country Office systems to support donor compliance.

This role will work closely with all Country Office departments on proposals, financial and narrative reporting, monitoring and analysis, procurement, and compliance processes. In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategy:

• Expected to productively participate in CMT Meetings and participate in shaping strategy for the Country Office, both within Grant Management remit and beyond.
• Ensure any internal or external grant management audit findings are corrective action.
• Supports Consortium building and management through participation in consortium meetings and negotiations, ensuring requisite contracts are in place.
• Participates in representation visits to donors/external fora on behalf of BRAC.
• Negotiate contract terms with donors directly on behalf of Country Office CMT
• Work with the GRP Director of Grant Management and/or Affiliates to diagnose capacity-building needs for the Country Office in grant management and implement action plans to address them.

Coordination:

• Coordinates and negotiates Grant Management space with CMT to improve overall Country Office operational functioning.
• Coordinates and negotiates the drafting process for financial and narrative reports among different teams, ensuring submission deadlines are met and reports of high quality.
• Liaises with the donor/Affiliates regarding any clarifications on reporting dates or changing donor requirements and inform teams; accordingly, update tracking systems.
• Facilitates Kick-off meetings with a diverse stakeholder group.
• Facilitates monthly Grant Review Meetings with a diverse stakeholder group, notes action commitments, and follows up to ensure completion.
• Facilitates Close Out meetings and actions.
• Participates in Global Grant Management community of practice calls and trainings on behalf of the Country Office and applies relevant information and learning internally.
• Lead and coordinate Due Diligence of Downstream partners during grant implementation as needed.
• Communicate with Affiliates and SMT/CMT regarding donor-related issues that require escalation.
• Proactively analyses issues and resolves them through collaboration with other teams/partners/Affiliates.

Compliance:

• Actively engage with GRP Director of Grant Management and Regional Grant Manager – AIM, on complex donor compliance issues to influence BRAC global grant management policy and procedure.
• Supports adherence to BRAC Grant Management procedures and policies.
• Supports adherence to BRAC Sub-Grant Management procedures and policies.
• Supports adherence to complex donor compliance requirements across the Country and downstream partners through regular communication of compliance elements and training.
• Supports the Rapid Assessment process by reviewing all calls for proposals with a compliance lens.
• Supports the Donor Contract review process by reviewing contracts with a compliance lens.
• Support teams nationwide to ensure all opportunities, proposals, contracts, and amendments follow BRAC processes.
• Ensure that all partners’ vetting is complete and evidenced.
• Draft sub-grant agreements using endorsed template packages and ensuring that all donor compliance requirements are passed down.
• Identify and address or escalate any potential compliance issues to CMT.

Analysis:

• Understand and be familiar with the Country Office Master Budgeting process and cycle; support with grant management inputs.
• Support review of proposal budgets to ensure correct budget template and identify questionable costs from donor compliance perspective.
• Monitor grants, grant spending, and portfolio spending and perform further analysis to aid in resolving identified issues.
• Maintain portfolio and pipeline tracker for the Country Office
• Maintain a reporting tracker for the Country Office Portfolio Management
• Use the Grant Management System and tools to monitor the Country Office’s portfolio and performance in grant management.
• Lead regular grant reviews and other monitoring across the allocated portfolio.
• Provide regular management information to the CMT on the performance of the active portfolio (Key Performance Indicators)
• Identify issues in the active grant portfolio and apply problem-solving skills to resolve them.
• Support the SMT/CMT in developing action plans to address issues highlighted by grant metrics and indicators and implementing those actions.

Capacity Building:

• Capacity to build more junior staff and promote learning in the grant management team.
• Encourage professional development among Grants Management team Systems.
• Maintain grant files in accordance with BRAC procedures.
• Act as Country Office super user and lead on the BRAC Grant Management System, its reporting functions, and ensuring adherence to system guidelines to promote data quality.
• Develop expert knowledge of Grant Management System & amp; dashboard functionality, maintain up-to-date data and use GMS data for decision-making.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, International Development or any related field. Having a master’s degree in related fields is an added advantage.
• Seven years of experience in the development or related field experience in grants management and Experience with NGOs, Multilaterals
• Knowledge of the requirements of major institutional donors, including budgeting, eligibility issues, compliance management, and reporting; experience in engaging with donors at a strategic level (UNHCR, USAID, GAC, DFAT, DFID, DEVCO, ECHO)
• Possess a high understanding of program operations, including procurement and field realities.
• Possess an understanding of the entire grant cycle, including the proposal development phase.
• Understanding of the financial aspects of grant management, ability to work with Finance Departments on grant management issues.
• Show courage and confidence to have tough conversations with other CO teams, donors, and Affiliates.
• Show strong skills in coordination and negotiation, strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to analyse trends.
• Computer literate (i.e. Google Suite/ Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer, financial systems)
• Patient, adaptable, able to improvise, and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure.
• Fluent communication (written and spoken) in English.

How to Apply:

All interested candidates should send their application letters, CV and academic documents as one document by email to bimcf.uganda@brac.net The subject must be the name of the position applied for strictly when submitting. Only complete applications will be accepted, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Deadline: 29th May 2024

NOTE: BRAC Uganda doesn’t charge applicants a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of any communication purportedly on behalf of BRAC Uganda, please send us an email before taking any further action.

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