Grants Officer - ASPIRE at Plan International

Role Purpose

• The purpose of this role is to support the country Grants Coordination processes and management.

Dimensions of the Role

• To maintain organization-wide adherence to meet internal and external grant management quality standards, donor guidelines, and related compliance processes, and management.

Accountabilities
Grants Administration and Management:

• Support the Country’s Business development unit on resource mobilization activities in Plan Nigeria Country office.
• Support the Grants Manager in coordinating, and monitoring the implementation of donor-funded projects and programs
• Managing donor grants transactions effectively and efficiently and ensuring quality reporting
• Support in establishing a grant tracking mechanism in order to effectively follow up grant activities, determine progress
• Support proposal development process by working with program staff, writing budget narratives, editing proposals, and ensuring proper proposal and grant management procedures are followed.
• Ensuring that reports to donors are submitted timely; that reports are coherent and accurate (quarterly, interim or final reports).
• Ensuring that grants are implemented in compliance with Plan International guidelines and relevant donor regulations.

Grants Management Information:

• SAP administration, including regular updates on grant through daily review and monitoring of SAP dash Board.
• Ensure timely set-up of all grants in the SAP system and corresponding modifications effected.
• Maintain and update grant files for assigned portfolio (Soft and Hard Copy files)
• Document and share key compliance issues with Plan International staff and partners setting the ground for compliance management.
• Draft Funding Approval Document and ensure all Funding Agreement Document (FADs) files are updated on a regular basis. This will include the hard copies and soft copies.
• Participate in the onboarding process of new partners, starting from solicitation, pre-award assessment, award and closeout.

Management Reporting:

• Support the Grants Manger in generating the Income report.
• Provide support to program and finance teams on reporting compliance.
• Provide strategic report(s) on status of grants for decision-making by Management.
• Support with monthly Country Office Pipeline reporting.

Budget Monitoring Activities:

• Coordinate BVA meetings and document action points.
• Participate in annual Budget Preparation at field level.
• Support Budget holders in proposal budget costing and review.
• Support CSOs in Budget preparation and Amendments.

Compliance and Audit:

• Participate in regular audit of PIN’s procedures, practices, and documents to identify possible areas of improvement
• Create and manage effective action plans in response to audit queries and compliance violations.
• Assess PIN’s operations to determine compliance risk.
• Ensure all employees, partners and vendors are educated on the latest donor regulations and processes.

Sub-Recipient and Partnership management:

• Participate in due diligence exercise when selecting Partners
• Ensure grantee adherence to PIN and donor funding requirements and provide the information required on donor regulations. 
• Manage the compliant close-out of grants awarded by the PIN.
•  coordination of timely payment based on approved milestones; work closely with partners to complete any delayed or incomplete milestones.

Technical Expertise, Skills and Knowledge
Essential:

• A Degree in Development Studies, Business Studies, or Social Science (Master’s Degree or equivalent in International Affairs, Development or related subject will be an added advantage).
• At least four years of experience working in project and/or grants management and proposal/business development/design.
• Experience in developing and interpreting donor budgets.
• Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities and implications to the community.
• Proven ability to develop and write grant proposals and concepts and track record in winning proposals.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Good communicator with strong organizational, time management and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, cultural and diplomatic skills.
• Strong writing and editing skills with close attention to detail.
• Ability to juggle competing priorities, meet demanding deadlines and work under pressure in unstable security environments.

Desirable:

• Excellent proven skills in developing, writing grant proposals
• Good research, negotiation and problem-solving skills
• Effective working with and through partners
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Strong strategic thinking and interpersonal skills 
• Excellent communication skills.
• High proficiency in MS office tools (with excellent Microsoft Excel skills).