Regional Program Manager, USAID Kenya Integrated WASH Program
Closing Date: November 24, 2013
Job Title: Regional Program Manager, USAID KIWASH
Requisition Number: 006
Area of Interest: Water & Sanitation
Position Type: Full Time -2 positions
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Please Note: These positions are contingent on the awarding of funding by the donor.
Closing Date: November 24, 2013
Job Title: Regional Program Manager, USAID KIWASH
Requisition Number: 006
Area of Interest: Water & Sanitation
Position Type: Full Time -2 positions
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Please Note: These positions are contingent on the awarding of funding by the donor.
Job Description
The Millennium Water Alliance seeks Grant Managers for an anticipated 5-year WASH program in Kenya expected to be awarded by USAID in FY2014. KIWASH aims to provide at-scale adoption of sustainable models of WASH service delivery through (1) scaled-up market-based service delivery models; (2) increased access to sustainable financing/credit for WASH services; (3) improved access to integrated WASH and nutrition services; (4) increased environmental sustainability of WASH services; and (5) strengthened WASH services and water resource institutions. The project will incorporate sustainability of resources and services, upstream/downstream integration, and effective strategies to scale.
To achieve at-scale sustainable service delivery and stronger governance for resilient and sustainable management of WASH services and water resources in Kenya, MWA anticipates significant subgranting to local organizations. The Grants Managers will work with the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) to manage and implement the sub-grant program. The Grants Managers will be responsible for managing the administrative aspects of sub-grants to local implementing partners, including monitoring and verifying financial reporting from subgrantees. The successful candidates will be knowledgeable of USAID rules and regulations, excellent multi-taskers, knowledgeable in one or more WASH areas, and will support local capacity building specialists from Nairobi. Implementing activities will be primarily in the regions of Lake Victoria and Tana/Arth/Ewaso.
Specific Grants Manager responsibilities include the following:
• Support the DCOP in management and administration of the KIWASH subgranting program. Assist in planning, training, solicitation, selection, granting, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting.
• Ensure grant activities comply with MWA policies and USAID rules and regulations.
• Conduct pre-award training with DCOP
• Participate in any pre-award assessments
• Review the local organizations’ subgrant proposals, budgets, and budget notes
• Negotiate agreements with subgrantees
• Facilitate the disbursements of funds to subgrantees in accordance with grant terms
• Interface with DCOP and HQ staff to ensure appropriate and timely subgrant disbursements.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor and audit subgrantees
• Provide capacity building support to subgrantees, including training to enhance financial management systems, budgets, and reporting requirements under both MWA subgrant agreements and USAID rules and regulations.
• Supervise and mentor local capacity building specialists, who provide support in the field
• Coordinate and monitor the financial management of subgrants through regular site visits, periodic reviews and tests of transactions, and analysis of financial and administrative reports. Review and audit subgrantees’ reports, ensure subgrantees reporting timeliness.
• Review subgrantees’ expenditure to ensure that it is incurred in compliance with subgrant terms and USAID regulations
• Review subgrantee financial and administrative reports and works with subgrantee to correct and finalize reports as necessary.
• Provide regular updates to DCOP on subgrantee compliance, risks and challenges that may arise and offers solutions accordingly.
• Maintain and manage records of subgrant agreements including paper and electronic files, an inventory of all agreements, and a schedule of dates and deadlines relevant to those agreements.
• Conduct subgrants close-outs.
• Assist DCOP and other staff in preparing reports, capacity building plans, etc.
• Ensure grant activities comply with MWA policies and USAID rules and regulations.
• Conduct pre-award training with DCOP
• Participate in any pre-award assessments
• Review the local organizations’ subgrant proposals, budgets, and budget notes
• Negotiate agreements with subgrantees
• Facilitate the disbursements of funds to subgrantees in accordance with grant terms
• Interface with DCOP and HQ staff to ensure appropriate and timely subgrant disbursements.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor and audit subgrantees
• Provide capacity building support to subgrantees, including training to enhance financial management systems, budgets, and reporting requirements under both MWA subgrant agreements and USAID rules and regulations.
• Supervise and mentor local capacity building specialists, who provide support in the field
• Coordinate and monitor the financial management of subgrants through regular site visits, periodic reviews and tests of transactions, and analysis of financial and administrative reports. Review and audit subgrantees’ reports, ensure subgrantees reporting timeliness.
• Review subgrantees’ expenditure to ensure that it is incurred in compliance with subgrant terms and USAID regulations
• Review subgrantee financial and administrative reports and works with subgrantee to correct and finalize reports as necessary.
• Provide regular updates to DCOP on subgrantee compliance, risks and challenges that may arise and offers solutions accordingly.
• Maintain and manage records of subgrant agreements including paper and electronic files, an inventory of all agreements, and a schedule of dates and deadlines relevant to those agreements.
• Conduct subgrants close-outs.
• Assist DCOP and other staff in preparing reports, capacity building plans, etc.
Required Skills:
• Demonstrated knowledge of grant making cycle from procurement through monitoring and close out.
• Demonstrated analytical abilities. Accuracy with numbers, extreme attention to detail and thoroughness are critical.
• Superior analytical skills, attention to detail, and strong work ethic.
• Knowledge of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and financial accounting standards.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of financial and other sensitive information. • Strong understanding of one or more relevant topics, such as water supply, water treatment, sanitation, market-based solutions, product introduction, behavior change related to hygiene and nutrition, management of water resources, governance, productive use of water, and capacity development.
• Awareness of cross-cutting themes such as gender equity, Multiple Use Water Services (MUS), and climate change for inclusion into WASH and water resource management grant programming.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to maintain effective and satisfactory working relationships with people from diverse cultures.
• Capacity to work under pressure, prioritize multiple tasks, and meet inflexible deadlines; excellent time management, organizational, multi-tasking and leadership skills.
• Ability to independently as well as in a collegial manner with minimal direction.
• Excellent Microsoft Excel and Word skills. Conversant with Internet and other office tools. • Strong written and spoken English and Swahili.
• Demonstrated knowledge of grant making cycle from procurement through monitoring and close out.
• Demonstrated analytical abilities. Accuracy with numbers, extreme attention to detail and thoroughness are critical.
• Superior analytical skills, attention to detail, and strong work ethic.
• Knowledge of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and financial accounting standards.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of financial and other sensitive information. • Strong understanding of one or more relevant topics, such as water supply, water treatment, sanitation, market-based solutions, product introduction, behavior change related to hygiene and nutrition, management of water resources, governance, productive use of water, and capacity development.
• Awareness of cross-cutting themes such as gender equity, Multiple Use Water Services (MUS), and climate change for inclusion into WASH and water resource management grant programming.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to maintain effective and satisfactory working relationships with people from diverse cultures.
• Capacity to work under pressure, prioritize multiple tasks, and meet inflexible deadlines; excellent time management, organizational, multi-tasking and leadership skills.
• Ability to independently as well as in a collegial manner with minimal direction.
• Excellent Microsoft Excel and Word skills. Conversant with Internet and other office tools. • Strong written and spoken English and Swahili.
Required Experience:
• University degree in business administration, finance, commerce, or a relevant field such as environmental studies, international development, engineering, and/or public health.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working on sub-grant management and administration for development programs, preferably USAID-funded projects in East Africa. This should include oversight of RFAs, capacity building with local organizations, and grants administration and monitoring required.
• Minimum of 3 years in supervisory roles in donor-funded programs in Kenya or East Africa.
• Relevant experience in coaching and supporting local NGOs and businesses on technical or management level.
• Experience in accounting/auditing and knowledge of FAR and/or USAID regulations highly preferred.
• University degree in business administration, finance, commerce, or a relevant field such as environmental studies, international development, engineering, and/or public health.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working on sub-grant management and administration for development programs, preferably USAID-funded projects in East Africa. This should include oversight of RFAs, capacity building with local organizations, and grants administration and monitoring required.
• Minimum of 3 years in supervisory roles in donor-funded programs in Kenya or East Africa.
• Relevant experience in coaching and supporting local NGOs and businesses on technical or management level.
• Experience in accounting/auditing and knowledge of FAR and/or USAID regulations highly preferred.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
The Millennium Water Alliance offers sustainable solutions through advocacy, shared knowledge, and collaborative programming. Our vision mirrors our belief that no one should die or suffer chronic illness as the result of a water-related disease. With nine implementing NGO members, the Alliance demonstrates commitment to water and sanitation programs that embody the values of transparency, accountability, efficiency, and sensitivity in all their work.
We encourage applications from women and underrepresented ethnic, racial and cultural groups. EOE/M/F/D/V
How to apply:
Qualified Kenyan nationals are particularly encouraged to apply.
Applicants should forward a cover letter, CV in reverse chronological format, and a list of at least 3 professional references (name, contact information, and statement of relationship to the reference) toMWAKiWASHRPM@gmail.com .
