Latest Job Advertisement at DAI Ghana
POSITION: Grants/GESI Director
Project Background
DAI is implementing the Strengthening Regional Peace and Stability (SRPS) in West Africa Program, which has been supported by USAID for five years. The program supports West African efforts to address the risks of instability from democratic backsliding and conflict, with a focus on targeted governance, conflict, and violence prevention, peacebuilding, and preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) interventions throughout the region.
The initiative will work with regional partners and governments that demonstrate a willingness to share authority and redistribute resources, all of which are critical for decreasing marginalization, violence, and conflicts. Program interventions will address fragility causes, with an emphasis on good governance, conflict prevention, and response, and P/CVE initiatives in select Sahel and coastal West African nations.
Position Description:
The Grants/GESI Director will be responsible for the daily strategic design, management, and implementation of a large grants portfolio throughout SRPS project nations, as well as ensuring that gender, youth, and social inclusion (GESI) concerns are integrated into all program operations.
S/he will also negotiate grant terms and conditions and examine budget estimates for allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and consistency in accordance with USAID, DAI, and SRPS Grants Manual.
The Director will collaborate with technical, financial, and monitoring teams to produce grants that meet program goals, maximize impact, and promote women, youth, and underrepresented groups. The role also involves developing new grant-making methods and ensuring grantees can efficiently implement projects using GESI best practices.
A Senior Grants Specialist, Grants Manager, and field office Grants Officers will report to the Grants/GESI Director.
Tasks and Responsibilities
The following are the key responsibilities of the Grants/GESI Director:
Lead Grants Design and GESI Integration:
- Design and implement Grants Under Contract (GUC) to correspond with project objectives and USAID GESI priorities.
- Collaborate with technical and partnering teams to create grant programs that promote inclusive development and meet the needs of excluded communities.
- Innovate and test grant-making strategies to involve different sectors and recipients, with a focus on increasing access for women-owned, youth-led, and minority organizations.
Grant Applications, Reviews, and Awards:
- Oversee the whole grantmaking process, from Notifications of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) and Requests for Applications (RFAs) to selection and award.
- Ensure transparent and equitable processes using GESI-sensitive selection criteria.
- Lead the grant proposal evaluation process, ensuring that all financial and technical requirements are met and that GESI criteria are applied consistently.
- Negotiate grant terms and budgets, ensuring that technical deliverables and financial components comply with USAID laws, SRPS objectives, and GESI priorities.
Capacity Building & Risk Mitigation:
- Provide technical assistance and capacity building to grantees, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to improve grant management and project implementation success.
- Develop and implement risk management methods to reduce financial, operational, and reputational risks, while adhering to USAID and internal grant standards.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:
- Work with the MEL Director to establish effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks for grant activities. Track financial performance and GESI-related outcomes.
- Include GESI-specific indicators that quantify contributions to gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion.
- Deliver accurate and timely financial and progress reporting on the Grants portfolio to senior management and USAID.
System Management & Compliance:
- Manage the grants management system (GM+) to ensure proper recording, reporting, and auditing of grant operations.
- Conduct frequent audits of grant files and processes to verify they meet USAID and GESI requirements.
- Continuously develop grants management processes and tools to increase efficiency, compliance, and effect while keeping a strong focus on GESI.
Leadership and Collaboration:
- Lead and mentor the Grants team, ensuring they have the right tools, skills, and support to efficiently manage the portfolio.
- Serve as the primary point of contact with USAID and other grant-related parties, enabling open communication and issue resolution.
- Collaborate with the Communications and Environmental Compliance teams to ensure grant activities are consistent with environmental protections and GESI standards.
Required Skill or Experience
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree is necessary, with a master’s degree desirable in related subjects such as international development, business, social studies, or gender studies.
- A minimum of 11 years of grant administration experience for USG-funded programs, with a focus on GESI integration and a good grasp of gender and social inclusion in development contexts.
- Proven track record in grant process management and financial oversight.
- Proficient in overseeing the whole grant lifecycle for big, USG-funded programs, ensuring compliance and effective implementation.
- Strong budgeting, financial analysis, and cost control skills are required to ensure grant financial integrity and risk mitigation.
- Expertise in including gender, youth, and social inclusion in grant design, implementation, and evaluation to ensure equitable results.
- Skilled at creating and implementing M&E frameworks and GESI-specific indicators to evaluate grant impact and advise decision-making.
- Effective at leading and mentoring cross-functional teams while building a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
- Excellent communication and negotiation abilities for establishing and sustaining relationships with USAID, partners, and other stakeholders.
- Ability to optimize grant administration processes and use novel ways to increase efficiency and effect.
- Capable of preparing concise, accurate reports and documentation for donors and internal stakeholders.
- Strong interpersonal skills are required to function well in multicultural environments and interact with a diverse population.
- Bilingual fluency in French and English is required, allowing for efficient communication in bilingual environments across Africa.
Reporting
The Grants/GESI Director will report to the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) – Operations and collaborate with technical teams, the MEL Director, and external stakeholders to ensure the Grants portfolio is effectively managed, with a focus on social inclusion and gender equity.
How to Apply for this Job at DAI Ghana
Closing Date: December 17, 2024
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