Regional NORAD Grants Advisor 196 views0 applications

Context of the position

Established in 1949, SOS Children’s Villages International (CVI) is a dynamic, international social development organization working globally to meet the needs and protection of the interests and rights of children without parental care and those who are at the risk of losing it.

Within the Eastern and Southern Africa region, SOS CV International is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and has member associations in Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia/Somaliland, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius, Angola and Madagascar.

Job Summary

The NORAD Grant Advisor supports the implementation of the partnership agreement between SOS-Norway, ESAF Regional Office, SOS-Malawi, SOS-Mozambique, SOS-Tanzania, SOS-Zambia, SOS-Zimbabwe, SOS-Nigeria and SOS-Swaziland in terms of programme development-related tasks, processes, grants and project management. The partnership agreement defines the conditions for the co-operation to implement and comply with the NORAD/ SOS-Norway framework contract 2016 – 2019. This involves coordination of programme and financial planning, monitoring and reporting, in line with donor and organisational requirements, facilitating learning and exchange, and leading in contract management of the NORAD/ SOS Norway framework programme. S/he also supports sharing and cross-learning among the NAs and with other programmes implemented by SOS Austria (ADA), SOS Denmark (DANIDA), SOS Netherlands, SOS Luxemburg or SOS Belgium and others.

Main clients:**

• NORAD/ SOS-Norway/ Grieg supported National Associations in the region: (particularly national and location FS and IPD Managers but also Gender, Child Protection and Advocacy Advisors)
• SOS-Norway
• Head of PD, FDC Director
• ESAF PD Director, PD Advisors for Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Swaziland
• Regional PD, co-workers (FS Advisor, Gender Advisor, Child Protection Advisor, Advocacy Advisor and M&E Advisor)
• Regional Finance Office and IPD

Key performance areas and main responsibilities:

The NORAD Grant Advisor sets up and supports implementation of the NORAD/ SOS Norway/ Grieg Framework Programme 2016-2019 in cooperation with Regional PD, FDC, IPD Advisors and the SOS Norway Programme Advisor. Through technical support, regular monitoring and programme reporting, the coordinator supports the smooth implementation of the current NORAD/ SOS Norway/ Grieg Framework Programme as well as the SOS Norway umbrella budget, in particular the umbrella component, in close cooperation with the SOS Norway Programme Advisor.

Coordination of NORAD/ SOS Norway/ Grieg framework programme: implementing, monitoring and evaluation, reporting

· Ensure project implementation and management according to the project plans and the achievement of the goals and results defined in the partnership agreement as well as Results framework and budgets, programme quality and compliance of donor requirements of all project interventions throughout the whole project cycle.

· ‘Flag’ any issues of concern arising from monitoring of NORAD/ SOS Norway and Grieg framework activities, to the regional office (PD) and SOS Norway and develop follow-up steering measures if necessary.

· Facilitate and support the implementation of the umbrella budget in close co-operation with IOR PD, HR, IPD and Finance, National Programme Directors, Regional PD and Family Strengthening Coordinators in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Swaziland and SOS-Norway.

· Ensure proper communication flow between the NAs, IOR, and SOS Norway and within the federation. Facilitate regular virtual meetings.

· Maintain the NORAD Workspace and ensure internal and external communication about the project.

· Plan and facilitate (including logistical support and documentation) regional workshops on capacity building in cooperation with SOS-Norway and the relevant regional and national offices.

· Participate in and support facilitation of planning and review workshops in the NAs.

· Support the NORAD/ SOS Norway/ Grieg supported National Associations to define and update (on a yearly basis) activity (and financial) plans based on the goals and results defined in the NORAD/ SOS Norway/ Grieg contracts and framework.

· Coordinate the external evaluation of the NORAD programme in co-operation with SOS Norway Programme Advisor and IOR PD Advisor.

· Report on umbrella budget activities, coordinate all narrative and financial reporting from NAs and ensure that narrative and financial reporting matches ensure and keep track of deadlines as defined in the partnership agreement to ensure donor servicing meets required level of professionalism.

· Overview over the budget in close co-operation with the NORAD Finance Advisor and SOS Norway Programme Advisor; ensure budget consumption based on NORAD funding guidelines.

· Support the knowledge management component; make use of the Grant workspace with implementing partners and ensure all files (electronic and paper) are complete, numbered and filed (implementation plans, narrative and financial reports, workshop documentation, audit and evaluations, donor communication & approvals, etc.).

· Identify and suggest possible synergies within NAs, the region, across different regions and other frameworks and grants (e.g. SOS Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Luxemburg and Belgium).

Lead in Donor Contract Management and NORAD Grant Compliance

· Lead in preparing, reviewing and modifying memoranda of understanding on grant agreements as needed between the federation (PSA-GSC-NA).

· Lead day-to-day aspects of donor reporting processes to ensure the timely submission of high quality implementation plans, narrative and financial reports.

· Ensure on the spot budget monitoring. Conduct monthly review of variances & financial reporting, provide feedback to FS Managers on over/under spending and/or other risk areas.

· Coordinate with the Regional NORAD Finance Advisor and NA Finance teams to ensure timely submission of budget modifications and financial reports.

· Follow-up on processing of financial ‘refundables’ claims, from GSC and NAs, for NORAD/ SOS Norway Grant.

· Monitor and facilitate compliance of programmes with donor and SOS requirements and raise issues affecting external/internal compliance to PD-FDC-PSA.

Technical support PD

The NORAD/ SOS Norway/ Grieg Framework coordinator cooperates with the regional PD advisors in order to link the NORAD Framework Programme to the programme developments of SOS CV in ESAF region. Furthermore, the PD advisor supports NAs in developing and ensuring programme quality.

· Coordinate technical support to NAs (organisational development, M&E, Gender and child protection).

· Link with programme development in ESAF region: collect and document existing practices and experiences related to key topics for FS within the region (in particular Community Empowerment in FS, Gender and Child Protection).

· Close contact to NAs (visits, regular communication) to provide technical support to ensure programme quality, provide quality checks on reporting and support NAs in results based reporting.

· Link technical advisors (advocacy, gender, child protection) with NAs to provide them with necessary support.

· Promote and organise opportunities for peer-to-peer exchange, with a focus on face-to-face interaction, whether at workshops or through programme visits/exchanges; to support capacity building of co-workers, for improvement of programme practice.

· In close consultation with the relevant PD advisors and regional M&E Advisor, promote the effective implementation of programme monitoring and evaluation systems and tools in the NORAD funded national associations. This includes tracking implementation of key systems and tools, including the programme database, programme self-evaluations, internal control reviews and audits; and highlighting required improvements.

Technical support IPD

The NORAD/ SOS Norway/ Grieg Advisor supports the local resource mobilization (IPD) and donor partnership building of NAs and the regional level by practical “hands-on support” and staff capacity building.

Main tasks:

· Support NAs and the ESAF IPD advisor in scanning and identifying potential donors and development partners within the region and countries.

· Support the National Associations and the ESAF IPD advisor to identify suitable projects/programs and develop respective proposals.

· Support NAs, the ESAF IPD and advocacy advisor to liaise with potential donors and development partners within the region and countries.

· Strengthen the competences of the key IPD and advocacy contact persons in the National Offices.

· Support the rollout of the “train the trainer” IPD training package and support the training of staff in NAs.

· Monitor and assess the quality of project proposals and narrative and financial reports and identify gaps and bottlenecks for further actions.

Technical qualifications and personal skills:

· Excellent drafting ability and communication skills, both oral and written

· Excellent analytical skills – ability to quickly understand and internalize complex topics, and collate and integrate information from a wide range of sources in the production of written outputs and communication materials

· Demonstrated experience in grant administration, project development, finance, including guiding a project from the conceptual stage through to implementation

· Sound understanding of contract and grant management issues

· Understanding Programme systems, policies, procedures a distinct advantage

· Excellent interpersonal consultation and communication skills, ability to dialogue with national authorities and institutional structures, interact with high-level government officials and to establish harmonious working relationships and motivate all members of a team is required.

· Negotiation skill mainly in engagement with government and other partner organizations.

· Client management experience and skills is required.

· Stakeholder management experience is required.

· Knowledge and understanding of different cultural background

Qualifications

· Master’s degree in finance or business administration with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience working in financial management and grants management of international organizations.

· Experience managing NORAD grant and have expert knowledge in NORAD rules and regulations.

· Experience in providing Organizational Capacity Development Technical Assistance

· Experience with NORAD programming and policies.

· Familiarity with NORAD Grant Management procedures.

· Ability to work with a high level of independence, using own initiative

· Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills and ability to work effectively on a team.

· Documented experience conducting Child Rights Situational Analysis and/or similar evaluation process, including use of such for structured advocacy purposes

Note: This job description outlines only the general scope of activity and the basic tasks and responsibilities associated with his/her position. It may be supplemented with a more detailed definition of tasks, responsibilities and work-plan and is subject to change at the discretion of the direct superior.