Grants Officer at Plan International

Location: Maiduguri, Borno

Role Purpose

• Project to fill the food gaps through the provisoion of blanket supplementary feeding and general food disrtibution. The food security is essential to ensure adequate nutrition and prevent hunger.
• The concept of food security optimal nutrition and lack of hunger and undernutrition are interlinked but not synonnymous.
• The nutition of women is critical not only for the life the women and pregnancy outcome for those that are pregnant but also those of their families (particularly children) community and the country at large.
• The project will be implemented by Plan International Nigeria in 2 wards in Gwoza LGAs of Borno state.

Dimension of Role

• The purpose of this role is to support the grant administration, coordination and management of donor funded projects in Maiduguri state.

Key Roles / Responsibilities

• Support the grant unit in coordinating, and monitoring the implementation of the donor funded project and programs
• Support the full cycle of grants management activities from pre-award assessments, monitoring/compliance visits and close-out procedures
• Manage assigned portfolios, in collaboration with the program team and finance team
• Maintain a grant tracking mechanism in order to effectively follow up grant activities and to determine progress. Track contractual obligations.
• Ensure grant management procedures are followed and donor compliance requirements are met.
• Support budget preparation, modification and reflect same on the SAP system
• Review and ensure donor reports are coherent, accurate and submitted timely. Maintain monthly reporting compliance tracker for assigned portfolios.
• Ensure timely set-up of grants in SAP system and monitor compliance.
• Ensuring projects are implemented in compliance with Plan International guidelines and relevant donor regulations.
• Maintain and update grant files (electronic and hard copy files)
• Document and share key compliance issues with Plan International staff and partners setting ground for compliance management
• Draft Funding Approval Document (FADs) and ensure they are fully executed.
• Coordinate grant audit exercise and ensure no exceptions/disallowances
• Participate in monthly BVA and coordination meetings a to review project progress with clear action points
• Carry out income reconciliation and pre-financing tracking
• Ensure proper close out of projects
• Support Humanitarian and project managers to prepare annual grants budgets for the donor funded projects in Maiduguri state.
• Support the assessments of partner/grantee organizations.
• Review partner budget and provide support and guidance where necessary
• Support in training staff and partners on donor policies, rules and regulations.
• Conduct and document regular partner visits to ensure compliance with grant agreement.
• Monitor partner burn rate and offer timely advice to the partner and programs team for prompt action and decision-making.
• Monitor and track grants related performance measurement indicators to improve performance.
• Fulfill Plan’s Child Protection Policy at all times.
• Perform any other duties that may be assigned.

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 three years of experience working in project and/or grants management
• Experience in developing and interpreting donor budgets.
• Experience working with multi donor projects
• Experience with donor funding regulations, procedures and reporting requirements
• Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities and implications to community.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Good communicator with strong organizational, time management and analytical skills.
• Excellent inter-personal, 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:

• 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).