Grants Officer 189 views0 applications

Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provide equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status. The re-design and implementation of the Market Development Component for the Zimbabwe Livelihoods and Food Security Programme (LFSP) Phase 2 seeks to improve markets that are most active and relevant to smallholder farmers in 10 targeted districts. The component will support farmers by first identifying the underlying causes of the non-performance of markets and then work in close partnership with local actors to invest in providing tailor made and lasting solutions for economic activities benefitting poor farmers.

The programme is due to start on February 1st, 2019 and run for 2 years and 2 months.

Using a combination of innovative interventions, the project will:
* Scope and understand existing market systems that are relevant to smallholder farmers in the target districts and the extent to which they are working to serve the needs of poor smallholder farmers – and where the market systems are failing this target group, take appropriate action to correct those failings;
* Promote sustainable systemic change by better alignment of key market functions and players with the incentives and capacity to work more effectively;
* Seek large scale impact through prioritizing interventions that benefit significant numbers of poor people; and
* Pursue a facilitative approach that will provide a catalytic role in the market without displacing and distorting current market functions or players

The Grants Officer will be responsible for the overall administration, compliance and implementation of the project’s grants ensuring compliance with DFID and Palladiums grant and procurement guidelines. The position reports to the Deputy Team Leader but works in close collaboration with the Operations Team and Programmes Team.

The tasks and responsibilities assigned to the Grants Officer will include:
* In collaboration with the Programme team, the grants officer will participate in the identification of market actors and possible interventions.
* Undertake due diligence process and participate in the selection process in close coordination with Fund and Operations Manager such that LFSP-MD can take the necessary care, attention and discretion prior to signing grant agreements with potential grantees.
* Carry out thorough financial assessments of grantee accounting and financial reporting systems to ensure adequate and transparent institutional and governance structures, and robust and reliable financial internal control systems.
* Prepare grant agreements and grant amendments in compliance with DFID and Palladiums compliance framework.
* Ensure adherence to the grant agreements including monitoring the compliance of grantees in relation to their funding agreements, ensuring that all funds are acquitted within agreed timeframes and that financial reports are submitted in agreed formats.
* Review grantees’ financial reports and request any additional supporting documentation for release of grant funds
* Review and approve work plans and budgets submitted by the grantees and manage the provision of funding to grantees monthly.
* Prepare the grant allocation, disbursements, and forecast schedules, as required
* Develop and implement a grant tracking system to ensure the timely and correct execution of all grant agreements including tracking of all financial disbursements to grantees.
* Ensure timely and accurate payments are made to Grantees throughout the life of the Grants Program
* Assess the institutional capacity of grantees to effectively implement LFSP and recommend actions to strengthen their administrative and financial management systems.
* Training of grantees on reporting to programme standards
* Serve as Relationship Manager for a select few grantees who necessitate strong financial oversight due to the size or risk profile of the grant–including being the first point of contact for such grantees and managing relationships between assigned grantees and the programme
* Manage the overall grant portfolio and ensure activities are on track to meet targets and impact metrics
* Review of site visit reports and coordination with Provincial Market Leads, M&R team and STTA to track, monitor and report progress.
* Maintain a comprehensive information management and filing system that ensures all client contractual documents, reports, key correspondences, etc. are appropriately filed in up-to-date and consistent soft and hard libraries available as needed
* Coordinate project expenditure verification and audit
* Inputs to regular reporting to DFID and internally within Palladium
* Continuous improvement in the grant management processes ensuring that the grant management function is operating efficiently and effectively
* Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, or any other relevant field. Master’s degree is advantageous.
* At least 7 years of experience in international development, with at least five years of experience of working on grants program or in a similar role. Experience working with DFID is advantageous
* Previous contract development and grant management experience required;
* Well-developed organizational skills and the ability to combine attention to detail with a view of strategic priorities.
* Knowledge of contracting regulations, contract procedures and reporting
* Excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills, including the ability to manage large budgets and client expectations