Afghanistan: Director--Strategic Grants--Afghanistan

Organization: Counterpart International

Country: Afghanistan

Closing date: 29 Mar 2016

Counterpart International helps people build better lives and more durable futures, community by community. We equip individuals, organizations and communities-our counterparts- to become solution creators in their own families, communities, regions and countries. We work with them in some of the world’s most challenging places to tackle social, economic, environmental, health and governance issues that threaten their lives and undermine their futures.

For more information on Counterpart, please visit our website at www.Counterpart.org

SUMMARY:

Counterpart International is seeking a Director, Grants and Contracts for its 5-year, USAID funded, Afghan Civic Engagement Program (ACEP). The goal of ACEP is to promote civil society and media engagement that enables Afghan citizens to influence policy, monitor government accountability, and serve as advocates for political reform. The program aims to achieve this goal through the following five program areas: (1) regular CSO engagement with government; (2) increase CSO and media thematic expertise in democracy and governance; (3) expand civic engagement; (4) improve access to independent news and public affairs information; and (5) increase CSO organizational capacity.

With the support and under the supervision Chief of Party (COP), the Strategic Grants Director will ensure that grants are issued following in accordance to the AWP and in full line with USAID compliance. S/he will appropriately coordinate with program departments to ensure technical content is fully respected, M&E team, finance and the communications department. The Strategic Grants Director will provide leadership and technical guidance to his department, ACEP staff, its grantees, and other partners by providing technical leadership in design and delivery of the ACEP grants.

This position is open to international and national candidates.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The Director’s primary role is to lead and build the current team of Grants Administration who are responsible for the organizational processes for sub-award administration, ensuring full compliance with local laws, Counterpart policies, and Client rules and regulations. Similarly, the Director will oversee the implementation of proper methodologies and procedures related to field sub-awards management and general grants and procurement operations in Afghanistan.

• The Director will also lead, train and manage the Grants team to ensure a high level performance and technical support to the program with an emphasis on collaboration with the various internal stakeholders.

• The Director further tracks and reports on the program’s development by ensuring quality control on all financial commitments proposed by Counterpart Afghanistan.

• The Director interprets and applies Counterpart policy to ensure that the terms are respected and implemented in accordance with Counterpart policies and capabilities as well as in compliance with RFA/RFP terms and conditions.

• The Director will liaise with the appropriate directorates when audit requests are received and will appoint local team members to serve as point person for these audits.

• The Director will provide support to the Chief of Party and relevant field staff to Counterpart on templates, policies and procedures, and applicable regulations related to Grants and Contracts, as well as Procurement.

• Collaborate with the local Finance department and HQ teams.

• Oversee and provide technical and expert training to the Grants & Contracts team, as well as establish performance goals for the department and supervisors.

• Track and report on the sub-grants and grantees as required and ensure solid training of grantees and officers in grants procedures, measures are in place to prevent any audit risks.

• Ensure the timely review, approval and submission of various internal reports and requests related to grants, financial transactions, payments and the monthly work plan.

• Ensure that a regular audit of the physical and electronic grants, sub-grant and procurement files is conducted, regular backups done and that all items are stored on the ACEP network server in a structured manner.

• Ensure the surveying and vetting of grantees and vendors is compliant with company and donor’s regulations and policies.

• Oversee the orientation sessions and technical assistance for grantees on grants standard templates and reporting formats requirements under the ACEP grants.

• Conduct final overview of sub-grants close-out.

• As directed by the COP, perform other tasks in support of the overall assigned activities.

Requirements • A minimum of 15 years of relevant Grants & Contract experience with international development organizations, NGO and/or for-profit in the development sector. At least 5 years in a managerial and/or supervisory capacity.

• Minimum of 7 years of experience with the administration of USG and non-USG awards (both contract and assistance) working knowledge and ability to interpret and apply USG regulation including FAR/AIDAR, CFRs, OMB Circulars and donor regulations, etc USAID, Dept. of State, and other international development donor experience, cost/price analysis, indirect rate development, indefinite quantity contracts, and grants and commercial contracting preferred.

• A graduate degree in Law, Business Administration, Economics or Accounting field; or other relevant field of study.

• Solid track record of Supervisory experience, including mentoring and advocacy for junior staff.

• Ability to multi-task and work under pressure with attention to details.

• Excellent cross cultural skills, ability to work in a diverse, multi-cultural NGO environment, with respect, professionalism and gender sensitivity.

• Technologically savvy including experience with: Share point, Microsoft Excel, Word and Power point, Navision, Lingo or other online training platforms.

• Demonstrated proficiency in English language, both written and spoken. Additional local languages (Dari or Pashto) preferred but not required.

• Able to travel to the provinces as needed and as security situations allow.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Additional local languages (Dari or Pashto) preferred but not required.

How to apply:

https://rew12.ultipro.com/COU1004/JobBoard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*AA454113748AD955