Jobs at International HIV/AIDS Alliance in Uganda- Senior Grants Officer

Job Title     Senior Grants Officer
Start Date     Nov 19, 2012
End Date     Nov 30, 2012
Job Information    

Background
The International HIV/AIDS Alliance (The Alliance) is implementing the Strengthening Uganda’s National Response for Implementation of Services for Orphans and other Vulnerable Children (SUNRISE-OVC) project through a Co-operative Agreement with USAID Uganda. This project in its third year now will run for 5 years up to 2015 and includes a substantial element of onward granting to zonal Technical Services  Organizations (TSOs) as intermediaries to provide technical support to local governments and civil society organizations working in 80 districts in Uganda. With its international secretariat offices based in Brighton, UK, the Alliance seeks to recruit a Senior Grants Officer for SUNRISE-OVC project based in Kampala, Uganda.

Job Summary
The Senior Grants Officer has responsibility and accountability for the grants management function within the Finance and Grants Section of the Alliance Uganda Country Office. The Senior Grants Officer assists other programme team members in supporting implementing partners with work plans and budgets development. He/she will develop/implement grants management procedures that match the Ugandan context so that grantees are able to manage their grants efficiently and in compliance with USAID regulations. He or she supports the entire grants management cycle including grant-making processes and procedures from inception to close-out.

Specific Responsibilities:
1. Grants Management
• Develop or adapt formats, procedures, and regulations to be used for formulating, negotiating, executing, monitoring, and closing sub-grants according to USAID regulations.
• Collaborate with other programme staff in designing/revising mechanisms to solicit Activity plans or proposal applications (if applicable), award sub-grants, negotiate terms of reference, and monitor and report on financial activities as appropriate.
• Assist technical staff in reviewing implementing partners’ periodic work plans and budgets
• Work with the Senior Finance and Grants Manager and Alliance Secretariat to ensure that the Grant Management Manual is kept up to date and
amended as required.
• Support the close-out process with the Alliance Uganda implementing partners.

2. Donor Compliance
• Develop mechanisms for making payments and monitoring/reporting fi nancial performance, in accordance with USAID requirements and guidelines and those established in the agreements with sub-grantees.
• Administer the grants according to criteria and guidelines set forth by the Alliance in relation to USAID requirements, contractual agreements and the Alliance Uganda Grants Management Program Manual and guidelines.
• Review financial reports and records submitted by sub-grantees in order to help them improve or maintain acceptable standards that enable them to generate reliable information and reports that are compliant with donor requirements.

3. Support to Grantees
• Develop financial capacity assessment tools for local partners and grantees
• Build the technical support strategies and plans according to the needs identified after the financial assessment of grantees.
• Conduct training workshops, one on one technical support and mentoring for local partners’ staff in grants management and other fi nance areas as necessary.
• Provide regular field-based support to sub-grantees to track work progress, provide guidance and support, and ensure consistent quality of work is performed in grants management; conducting performance plans and reviews; implementing and assuring adherence to Project policies, guidelines and values;
• Providing administrative and logistical support to the technical review process
• In conjunction with partners and other staff support grantees to adhere to organizational policies and procedures, and other recommendations for fi nancial and programmatic accountability.
• Follow up on financial capacity building plans and monitor the grantees that have received training to ensure that they are applying the knowledge
acquired appropriately.
• Work with and support finance and programmatic personnel during the budgeting process.

4. Manage the Grants Information System
• Provide inputs and support on the definition of financial and programmatic selection criteria to be followed in the granting process.
• Develop monitoring tools for Program staff to review compliance issues during support visits.
• Maintain all the fi les, generate and share out all grantee information that will facilitate decision making and donor reporting.
• Work with partners and staff to develop monitoring plans/schedules and through periodic visits, follow-up the grantees to assess implementation and compliance with the grants agreements.
• Assist in developing work plans, monitor progress, track expenses, and prepare reports under the guidance of the Senior Finance and Grants Manager.
• Analyze financial data on sub-granting; report on performance trends and compliance with the budgets and agreements.
• Review the Quarterly reports and Grant Information System Reports submitted by the implementing partners. Work conditions
• The position is based in Kampala, with approximately 30% time spent in the
field providing support supervision and monitoring of TSO grants.
• Required Qualifications and Experience
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or other related fi eld
• Minimum of 5 years experience,3 of which must be in US Federal funded grants/contracts administration and management. Preferably with international non-governmental organizations.
• Experience in the development or implementation of contracts/grants and compliance training.
• Excellent communications skills (oral and written), including editing and proof reading
• Proficient computer/software skills, including good command of MS Word and Excel
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to work independently, assess priorities and manage a variety of activities with attention to detail
• Ability to interact professionally with colleagues, contractors, vendors, and awardees
• Willingness to travel up to 30% of time.

How to apply:
Suitable candidates for the above post should submit applications with detailed curriculum vitae, copies of academic certificates, name and address of three referees and a day time contact telephone number to the International HIV/AIDS Alliance offices addressed to:

The Chief of Party,
International HIV/AIDS Alliance in Uganda, SUNRISE-OVC Project,
Plot 19, Kawalya Kaggwa Close, Kololo,
P. O. Box 40333, Kampala, Uganda
Email: allianceug@allianceuganda.org

All applications should be delivered and registered at the above address during offi cial working hours (8.30am- 5.00pm) not later than Friday, November 30, 2012. Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Deadline: 30th Nov 2012