Abt Associates
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Grants Manager
Job Identification: 101682
Job Category: Business Operations
Locations: Abt Associates, Kathmandu, NP
Apply Before: 05/02/2022, 04:29 AM
Opportunity
Abt Associates seeks applications for Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Grants Manager to serve on the USAID-funded Agriculture Partnership Hub, an anticipated five-year project beginning in Fall of 2022 based in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The purpose of this activity is to increase the availability, accessibility, and use of agricultural inputs and technology to improve Nepal’s agricultural productivity. This will contribute to improved resilience, competitiveness, and inclusion in the agricultural sector. The Activity will be implemented through four interlinked objectives: Objective 1: Demand-and supply-responsive and financially viable seed system improved; Objective 2: Soil fertility management and fertilizer distribution system improved; Objective 3: Climate adaptive and sustainable irrigation management system improved; and Objective 4: Agricultural mechanization enhanced. The Grants Manager will serve as a member of the project’s core management team.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
- Oversee the project’s grants program, which will administer milestone-based grants to businesses and other eligible entities contributing to improved resilience, competitiveness, and inclusion in Nepal’s agriculture sector.
- Develop RFPs that will be used to help develop the capacity of private sector organizations, civil society organizations, and other associations dedicated to agricultural input market system development crucial to achieving the Activity’s objectives and purpose
- Working with Abt’s home office, develop the grants manual for submission to USAID and prepare periodic updates as needed.
- Working with technical teams, draft Grant Program Statements defining grant objectives and application requirements; issue solicitation documents.
- Organize and lead grant launching events to inform potential applicants about grant programs.
- Design grant review guidelines for evaluators, including scoring formats; convene grant committee meetings.
- Participate in negotiations with applicants, prepare the negotiation memoranda and awards.
- Ensure compliance with USAID procurement regulations and local laws, including tax requirements.
- Maintain the grant tracking system to ensure timely and correct execution of all grant agreements.
- Liaise with technical team leads to ensure effective grant execution and payment.
- Make periodic visits to the organizations and institutions that are executing projects supported by grants funds.
- Keep relevant project staff informed about upcoming deadlines on deliverables.
- Review invoicing from grantees and ensure that payment requests are supported and justified.
- Facilitate the technical approval and payment of grantees for work completed
- Ensure a successful and compliant close-out of grant activities
- Collaborate with the project’s M&E staff to collect and analyze data for monitoring, learning, and reporting.
- Foster a culture of achievement, innovation, and adaptability on the team and among partner
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, agricultural development, or similar field and at least 12 years of experience strengthening and mobilizing national and international business development service (BDS) firms to deliver business services to agricultural input enterprises; working with venture capital/impact investors, business incubation service providers, and/or working with financial institutions OR Master’s degree (preferred) and at least 10 years of relevant experience
- Experience managing USAID-funded grants under contract
- Experience in capacity development of local partners is required
- Experience in program coordination, monitoring/evaluation, and/or agricultural development
- Ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently and independently
- Strong analytical and interpersonal skills
- Excellent organizational and time management skills, as well as experience supervising others
- Fluency in English is required
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree + Twelve years of relevant experience, or Master’s Degree + Ten years of relevant experience, or PhD+ Eight years of relevant experience
Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.
