SG&R’s Global Food Security and Agriculture portfolio is working to strengthen agricultural markets, engage youth and women as critical leaders of the on- and off-farm workforce, and tackle the dual burden of malnutrition around the globe. RTI’s work is helping foster stronger food systems, reduce malnutrition in all its forms, build resilience and engage the next generation of food security leaders. RTI is currently partnering on nearly 30 projects in East Africa, including activities focused on private sector-driven agricultural growth in Rwanda and market systems development in Kenya.

About FSNR activity and the Job

1. About the FSNR (Project)

The Feed the Future Liberia Food Security, Nutrition and Resilience (FSNR) activity is a five year grant awarded to Research Triangle Institute (RTI). The FSNR is implemented in partnership with BRAC, Dimagi and GiveDirectly and in collaboration with the government of Liberia, communities, and the private sector. The activity was awarded on 31^stof January 2023 and is expected to close by 31^stof January 2028. The purpose of the FSNR activity is to improve Liberia’s food and nutrition security and households’ resilience. This is a five-year activity that targets smallholder farmers, subsistence farmers, cooperatives, women, and youth groups in rural and peri-urban communities. The program is based in Monrovia, Liberia and provides programming in Lofa, Bong, Nimba, Margibi, Grand Bassa, and Montserrado communities. Overall, the FSNR aims at increase food production, reduce post-harvest losses and expand opportunities for small holder farmers to engage with the market.

The Associate Manager of Grants works closely with the technical specialists, the FSNR leadership, Procurement Specialist and Finance team.

Responsibilities

1. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS POSITION:

Project Description

The purpose of the USAID Food Security, Nutrition and Resilience (FSNR) Activity in Liberia is to improve Liberia’s food and nutrition security and households’ resilience. This is a five-year activity that will target smallholder farmers, subsistence farmers, cooperatives, women, and youth groups in rural and peri-urban communities. The FSNR main office is based in Monrovia but the activities are being implemented in Lofa, Bong, Nimba, Margibi, Grand Bassa, and Montserrado communities.

Position Description

RTI is seeking an Associate Manager of Grants for the Food Security, Nutrition and Resilience (FSNR) activity in Liberia. The Associate Manger of Grants manages the FSNR’s grant portfolio, providing support to the solicitation, award process and overall grant management. In close collaboration with the members of the technical team, the Associate Manager of Grants provides oversight the sub-grantees, taking periodic monitoring to ensure compliance with stipulated requirements. The Associate Manager of Grants works closely with the technical specialists, the FSNR leadership, Procurement Specialist and Finance team. This position reports to the Deputy Chief of Party and will be based in Monrovia.

2. POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES (KEY TASKS):
   • Grants amanagement and Reporting

• Developing the grants management program in collaboration with the project technical team; customizing the RTI Grants Manual, as necessary; with the input and oversight of the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Finance and Operations Director as well as RTI regional and global grants management team.
• Coordinate the project grant activity in adherence to the RTI policy and the terms of the project award; Provide training and orientation to staff on grants related matters.
• Provide guidance to project staff and leadership on grants management, grants processes, USAID rules and regulations, policy and procedures, selection of grant and award process
• In collaboration with the Technical team and project leadership, prepare Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) including Request for Applications (RFA), Annual Program Statements (APS), Expression of Interests (EOI).
• Coordinate the constitution of the selection committee to review applications; coordinate the review process following the eligibility and selection criteria.
• Perform pre-award assessment of selected applicants to establish capacity, responsibility and risk determination; perform debarment checks.
• Preparation of the grant award package, including the Memorandum of Negotiations in collaboration with the Technical team, preparation of grant agreements and modifications for approval, per RTI’s procedures.
• Create grants and modifications in RTI’s Grants Management System (GMS) uploading all required grant documentation and submit grants for approval; Ensure accuracy of information and completeness of documentation in GMS.
• Develop and support the implementation of a risk-based grants monitoring plan; Ensure technical team are conducting grantee monitoring on a regular basis and documenting monitoring activity; ensure monitoring reports are uploaded in GMS.
• Ensure grantee reports and invoices are reviewed and signed by technical team before submission to finance for payments.
• Maintain grant files for grants and ensuring audit trail for all necessary grant documentation; monitor grant expenses, and provide regular updates on grant status; Ensure grantees comply with terms of their grant agreement and USAID policies.
• Providing technical assistance as required to build capacity of local partners and grantees.
• Support institutionalization of best practices and any guides, as needed; participates actively in the iGAPS organized regional knowledge sharing forums.
• Performing closeout of completed grants.

• Acquisition of assests and equipment for In-Kind Grants

• Work with the FSNR leadership team, the Procurement Specialist, andregional Procurement manager to facilitate acquisition of equipment and assets required for inkind support to .
• In collaboration with the prospective grantees, develop technical specification of the equipment, and where applicable draft request for approval by the donor for restricted equipment.

• Develops tracking tools, templates, and provide guidance on maintenance of equipment and asstets provided to the sub-grantees
• Work with the FSNR communications officer to brand/mark equipment provided to sub-grantees, and manage disposition process during closeout.
• Monitor and tracks the assets and equipment provided to the sub-grantees, ensuing that the equipment are being utilized for the intended purposes.

• Manage the assets and equipment disposition for all assets/equipment provided to the grantees.

• Compliance

• The associate manager of grants is responsponsible for risk and compliance management and ensure total compliance with RTI policies and USAID regulations
• Coordinates with RTI regional grants and home office grants team team to ensure grants activities are in compliance and aligned with FSNR priorities.
• Supervise sub awardees and staff to ensure their activities are following the grants manual and stipulated requirements and USAID regulations
• Coordinate with other technical specialists and review Compliance and alignment of deliverables and milestones.

• Coordination and Collaboration

• Coordinate field visits with the respective field offices and collaborate with the front line staff in capture, at least, 4 success story per month from each grantees
• Manage relationships with sub-grantees, and ensures effective communication at all levels.

• Monitoring, documentation and Archiving

• Proactively takes field monitoring and document successes and challenges being encountered by the grantees
• He/she ensures documentation, filing and archiving of grants documents
• Monitors budget utilizations of the sub-grantees

1. KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• INTERNAL:

RTI home office and country team, the FSNR Management and Technical resource persons; Regional Grants Manager, CoP/ DCoP; FSNR Regional Operations Manager, Technical teams for FSNR/ Field staff FSNR / implementing partners under FSNR [BRAC, GiveDirectly and Dimagi].

• EXTERNAL:

Sub-grantees’ Representative, Ministry of Agriculture Extension Department, Local Government officials and structures in operational areas; other National Government officials and structures as appropriate, NGOs and private sector actors.

Qualifications

1. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree and 5 years of experience, Master’s degree and 3 year of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of USAID administrative rules and regulations including Automated Directive Systems (ADS) and USAID Standard Provisions highly preferred
• Strong financial and administrative management, organizational and interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and ability to work in a team-oriented setting
• Demonstrated knowledge of Grants Management, preferably on USAID projects
• Strong oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in a multicultural setting.
• Experience working on agriculture, nutrition or resilience programming a plus.
• Adance user of Microsoft Office Suite and other computer applications.
• Strong planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to work under pressure, and with multiple concurrent demands.
• Fluency in written and spoken English required.
• Ability to work and travel throughout Liberia.
• Good analytical and presentation skills
• Excellent written, verbal, and cross-cultural communication skills
• A self –starter demonstrating strong problem solving skills.
• Willingness to travel approximately 40% of the time to field sites to strengthen capacity building support, monitoring and sub-grantees.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Computer skills: Advance user of MS Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and Google apps
• Knowledge of reporting procedures, best practices, guidelines, methods, and approaches in strengthening grants management and reporting
• Adherence to highest standards of ethics and data integrity
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven track record of working in challenging (both rural and urban) field locations
• Proven ability to perform under pressure and prioritize with multiple competing demands
• DISCLAIMER CLAUSEThis job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.