World Bank USDF Project Jobs - Grant Specialist at Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) ~ Ugandan Jobline Jobs

Organization: Private Sector

Foundation Uganda (PSFU)

Project Name: Uganda Skills

Development Facility (USDF)

Funding Source: World Bank

Duty Station: Kampala,

Uganda

Reports to:  Project Manager

The Government

of Uganda has applied for credit from the World Bank towards Implementation of

the Uganda Competitive Fund for employer-led short term training (Uganda Skills

Development Facility -USDF). The Uganda competitive fund for employer-led

short-term training is part of the Skilling Uganda Project addressing

prevailing skills imbalances and shortages in Uganda. An important element of

the initiative is to facilitate collaboration between training providers and industry

to promote demand driven skills development with special attention to

innovative modes of training. The Fund is an IDA-funded project expected to be

managed by the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU). The grant component of

USDF aims at;

·        
Component 1: Supporting

training activities that lead to improved productivity and competitiveness in

the formal and informal sectors, hereby creating new income opportunities

·        
Component 2: Providing

funding primarily for the improvement of the quality and relevance of existing

skills systems

·        
Component 3: Prioritising

innovative new approaches to skills development with special attention to micro

and small enterprises.

Job Summary: The Grant

Specialist will be responsible for the timely implementation of  USDF in accordance to the laid down

guidelines and ensure the highest level of honesty, integrity and transparency

in processing grant awards that are geared towards enhancing the productivity

and competitiveness of the enterprises. He / she will also play a key role in

linking the facility to the ultimate beneficiaries.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

·        
Act as the first line of contact for potential and

actual grantees to equip them with information about the grant eligibility

criteria and operational procedures.

·        
Ensure that the competitive scheme for each window

under Component 3 is implemented on a timely efficient and effective manner

that is consistent with the established guidelines and procedures.

·        
Partake in the review of the proposals and ensure

that all proposals received are well documented and filed, including

preparation of all necessary documentation to enable submission to the

Technical evaluation team; ensure accurate documentation of results and where

necessary seek clarity from the technical evaluation team for purposes of

ensuring transparency and alignment to agreed principals.

·        
The incumbent will also participate in appraisal of

applications and preparation of recommendations and documentation ‘packages’

for the Grant Committee;

·        
Work closely with other implementing team members,

conduct regular on-site visits to a random sample of grantees to assess

progress of sub projects vis-a-vis agreed results, timelines and budgets. Based

on the implementation progress, recommend further payments to these consulting

firms if their reports are consistent with the findings on the ground by the

Grant Specialists. Otherwise, if inconsistencies are found, agree with the

consulting firms on concrete next steps to address these inconsistencies and on

evidence to be presented to the Project Coordination Unit to support their next

payment; and also identify potential problematic sub projects by emerging

challenges and flag them for discussion and identification of mitigation

measures to the Project Manager.

·        
Work in liaison with the consulting firms and with

the Financial Management Specialist of the Project Coordination Unit to prepare

quarterly progress reports on the financial and physical implementation of

Component 3;

·        
Routinely review and analyze documentation of communications

and reports in relation to the various aspects of Component 3;

·        
Submit regular briefs on the progress shown in

Component 3 to support the Project Manager to bring relevant officials up to

date on activities implemented, accomplishments, problems encountered and

solutions executed, with respect to Component 3;

·        
Work in liaison with the Project Manager to provide

potential grantee private sector enterprises and associations with guidance in

defining their skills development needs and help them  determine the training support services that

are most beneficial, practical and cost effective for their growth.

·        
Provide regular support to the Project Manager on

progress of the facility activities and potential areas for facility

improvement and promotion of the targeted beneficiaries.

·        
Participate in the competitive grant promotional

activities for private sector growth.

·        
Actively participate in the preparation of work plan

and procurement plan for the component which will include:

·        
Comprehensive reviews of all sub grantee work plans

and budgets including capture of inputs required for integration in the overall

sub component work plans and budgets; and

·        
Ensure the overall work plan for the sub component

reflects the comprehensive sub grantee work plans including capture of inputs

required in the execution of fiduciary duties of your position.

·        
Perform other relevant duties as required by the

Project Manager in line with program objectives.

Qualifications, Skills and

Experience: 

·        
The applicants should preferably hold a Master’s

degree in Business, Economics, Financial Management or related fields.

·        
At least seven years’ track record in granting

experience with donor funded programs.

·        
Working knowledge and experience in the

manufacturing, construction or agriculture sectors will be an added advantage.

·        
Comprehensive 

understanding and appreciation of formal and informal sectors in Uganda.

·        
Excellent analytical skills to be supported by a

sample of written reports.

·        
Excellent computer skills including but not limited

to MS Word, Excel, Project and Power Point

·        
Excellent writing and communication skills including

making presentations and public speech.

·        
High degree of integrity, versatility and clean

record.

All candidates

are encouraged to deliver their application letters, updated curriculum vita

and photocopies of academic and professional certificates to the address below.

Please clearly indicate the position being applied for on top of the envelope.

Private Sector

Foundation Uganda (PSFU)

P. O. Box 7683,

Kampala- Uganda.

Deadline: Wednesday, 19^th

August, 2015