Grants Manager at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Application Ref. Code: GMF7119
Location: Abuja, F.C.T
Department: Programs/FASTER
Job Band: 9
Reports To: Project Director

Project Summary

• FASTER (Faith-based Action for Scaling up Testing and Treatment for the Epidemic Response) project is designed as a new component of the global FOCUS (Faith-based Organization Capacity Strengthening for Universal HIV Services) project. Funded by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), FOCUS was developed with the intent of building FBO network capacity, assisting FBOs to contribute to HIV multi-sector planning for expanded service delivery, and documenting successful approaches. Led by CRS, FOCUS builds understanding of how to leverage the faith-based community’s contributions at sub-national and national levels, reinforcing mutual responsibility and country-driven leadership.
• FASTER takes FOCUS’ objectives to the next level by creating an enabling environment in Nigeria where government, civil society, the private sector, and FBOs can accelerate normative pediatric HIV case finding, testing, linkage to care and treatment, and adherence support by strengthening and streamlining joint coordination and provision of pediatric HIV service delivery.

Job Summary

• The CRS/Nigeria Grants and Compliance Manager is responsible for overall budget monitoring, compliance oversight of the USG, other donors and private fund awards and all related sub-agreements under FASTER project.
• S/he assists in the interpretation of USG and other donor regulations for local partners, field management staff and CRS management.
• S/he coordinates the assessment and identification of needs for training in compliance, budgeting and financial management and their implementation as well actively works with all sub-recipients on their grant management capacity.
• In coordination with the Project Director FASTER program staff, CRS Nigeria finance and compliance unit and global compliance and finance staff, s/he develops and implements strategy to prevent or minimize compliance-related liabilities.

Specific Job Responsibilities
Sub-recipients Financial Assessment:

• Lead the assessments of all sub-recipients using CRS HQ Finance’s guidance for stratification of the sub-recipients for FASTER grant.
• Assist the sub-recipients in preparing a Corrective Action Plan within sixty calendar days of the assessment or monitoring visit that addresses each of the identified weaknesses in any of the ten assessed areas scored below 75%.

Sub-recipients Financial Monitoring:

• Serve as the principal point of contact on Grant Management and compliance issues with Program Managers, CRS/Nigeria Finance and Compliance staff.
• Lead the training of the new CRS/HQ Sub-Recipient monitoring policy for FASTER project within CRS Nigeria.&
• Coordinate the development of Grant Management capacity building activities such as trainings at the sites in close collaboration with CRS Nigeria finance and compliance staff.
• Ensure FASTER project within the Country Program has in place and adheres to a schedule of planned monitoring visits of sub-recipients during each year. The basis for the selection, timing and frequency of its monitoring visits should be properly documented.
• Ensure financial and programming staffs participate in the financial monitoring, including site visits, of Sub-Recipient activities. The trip reports must indicate the monitoring steps performed, the processes reviewed, and the result of the testing and reviews.
• Ensure all monitors prepare and submit a written trip report for each visit to a Sub-Recipient.
• Review and analyze monitoring reports on a timely manner and sign off for further follow-up
• Work with sub-recipients to correct weaknesses detected by internal and external auditors, FASTER project management or CRS Nigeria finance and compliance staff.
• Ensure sub-recipients’ internal control systems are reviewed at least annually by auditors or CRS/FASTER project monitors effectively to ensure that their financial duties are adequately segregated.
• Ensure FASTER project Sub-recipients evaluate and effectively monitor their lower tier subrecipients.

Sub-Recipient Financial Support:

• Ensure that the CRS Nigeria finance and compliance staff provide direct technical support in all aspects of finance for Sub-Recipient under FASTER project
• Orient accounting and project management staff in relevant and appropriate donors’ financial management policies, procedures, and standards.&
• Ensure integrity of donor grants financial reporting and the effective control of financial assets. Regularly monitor and assess Sub-Recipient ability to accurately record and post all financial transactions and provide feedback to the Project Director and CRS Finance Manager.
• Advice and ensures on GAAP and basic accounting records to be maintained at SubRecipient.

Grants Management and Budgeting:

• In coordination with FASTER Project Director, prepare all required Sub-Recipient agreements and monitors grant amendments, update grant files, submit copy of amendment documents to CRS Nigeria and HQ finance and monitor grant expiry period.
• Ensure that donor required reports are prepared accurately and disseminated within the due dates.
• Coordinate with FASTER HQ finance team to ensure that donor reports are generated by HQ finance are sent out to the relevant donor.
• Review posted journals for errors and recommend correction when necessary
• Takes a lead on developing FASTER cash projections and communicate to CRS Nigeria and HQ finance units
• Review consortium members and or Sub-Recipient budgets and provide comments/recommend approval by the Project Director.
• Develop effective budget monitoring tools and implement them for all FASTER project subrecipients.
• Actively engage in budget discussions and generate feedback for FASTER senior management team on adverse budget variances in monthly BCR meetings and results from Sub-Recipient monitoring.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Administration or Finance, Organizational Development, Management or other relevant field.
• Minimum of 7 years relevant experience, preferably with an International Organization.
• Thorough knowledge of best practices in capacity strengthening with prior experience of integrating this with programming; Experience in curriculum design and development.
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through participatory adult learning, mentoring, distance education, and other formal and non-formal methods; Experience in the design of and delivery of training workshops.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills
• Familiarity with HIV/AIDS and working in PEPFAR projects is added advantage
• Excellent knowledge of computer software - MS Office (PowerPoint and Excel especially);
• Must be flexible and be able to work independently and as part of a team.

Required Foreign Language:

• Excellent written and spoken English.

Required Travel:

• Ability to travel up to 50% of time

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Global FASTER team, Project Director and team, Deputy Country Representative (Health and Livelihood), RTAs for Health and OVC, Deputy Country Representative (operations), and Security Managers/Focal Points.
• External: NASCP, NACA, CDC LAM, other donors, HIV and OVC Program Implementing Partners

Agency wide competencies:

• These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfil his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results:
  • Integrity
  • Strategic Mindset
  • Continuous Improvement & Innovation
  • Develops Talent
  • Builds Relationships
  • Accountability & Stewardship