Job Summary

Democracy International is seeking to hire a Grants Manager for the NASSEEJ project in Tunisia. This position is open to Tunisian nationals. The Grants Manager will work with program staff to ensure an accurate, timely, efficient and transparent process for the entire grants life cycle, from proposal to close. The Grants Manager will oversee and act as the expert for all aspects of the grant making process, including: all grant administration policies, systems, and documentation to ensure compliance, approvals, incorporate best practices, and ensure excellent controls. 

The NASSEEJ project aims to empower Tunisian citizens to act and advocate for specific issues and effect change at the local, regional, and national level in advancing Tunisia’s development and build the legitimacy and sustainability of the civil society sector.

Responsibilities

Grants Design and Solicitation Process

• • Facilitate the process of evaluation of grant applications to ensure adherence to grants management policies, assess grantee risk level, and advise on appropriate grant mechanisms and creative, and compliant, uses of grants. 
  • Work with NASSEEJ partners to develop grant budget estimates and review for allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and consistency, as well as compliance with applicable USAID regulations and DI policies, as outlined in the DI Grants Manual.
  • Assess administrative and financial capacity of grant applicants.
  • Support organizational capacity assessment (OCA) process for each grantee and support grantees to address OCA-identified capacity needs in collaboration with NASSEEJ’s capacity building specialist.
  • Incorporate learnings, best practices, and innovative approaches into grant design, identifying and building upon previously tested uses of grants and successful programs.
  • Ensure proper negotiation of the terms and conditions for grant agreements, ensure the correct type of grant is selected, work with grantee and NASSEEJ programs team to finalize grant agreement for approval, and draft approval documents necessary for approvals from USAID.
  • Generate, review and present all aspects of grant agreements at kick off meetings, and during implementation, with grantees, including schedules, roles, responsibilities, and timelines.
  • Lead problem solving and adaptive iteration with the operations and program team to learn, adapt and improve throughout the grant design and solicitation process.

• Identify, with the Programs and Operations teams, including NASSEEJ partners, any appropriate or special award conditions and/or necessary capacity building for the grantee to strengthen the results, minimize risk, and ensure compliance. 

Grants Activity Management

• Work with grantees and NASSEEJ team to ensure that activities are implemented in accordance with activity design, terms and conditions of the grant. 

• Provide guidance in the implementation of the grant activities, including closure and disposition plans.

• With direction from the Program Director, serve as the NASSEEJ focal point for a portfolio of grantees. Share information with grantees ensuring cohesion and supporting collaborative engagement. Attend meetings and events hosted by partners. Provide updates and collaborate with NASSEEJ and DI Home Office staff on grant monitoring.
• Monitor submission of grant deliverables and reports. Coordinate with other members of the team for review and approval. Monitor and track procurement activities and delivery status of goods/services, as applicable, for grants.
• Coordinating with NASSEEJ team and partners, develop and build the capacity of local organizations and grantees to ensure successful implementation and compliance with the grant agreement, as well as to support their sustainable development as an organization.
• Ensure complete backup documentation for payments to grantees is submitted to NASSEEJ finance team.
• Troubleshoot grants management issues and challenges with grantees, Programs and Operations staff, COP, and USAID as requested/as needed.
• Track any leverage, contribution, or program income as required in the grant agreement and ensure compliance with audit requirements for grantees, as appropriate.
• Ensure timely and well documented close-out of grants, ensuring completeness and quality of grant files.

Compliance and Reporting

• Ensure compliance with approved Grants Manual, referenced USAID regulations, DI policies and procedures, systems, and internal controls, and applicable local laws and tax policy.
• Ensure that all grant activities are properly documented from the start of implementation to grant close-out using DI and NASSEEJ operations and grant management systems.
• Document and share learnings with the Directors, and COP to ensure best practices and improvements are incorporated into future grant programming.
• Perform regular spot audits of grant files to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance.
• Support the Operations Director and DI Home Office team in delivering procedures and policy training, guidance, and interpretation for program staff as well as grantees, in consultation with DI Home Office and USAID as appropriate.
• Support and use grant budget/funds monitoring tools.
• Submit progress and status reports as required.
• Track overall Grant Fund amounts in total, by buy-in, and by grant, including both awarded and obligated amounts.
• Work with the NASSEEJ MEL team to ensure their portfolio of grants and their impact is aggregated, validated and disseminated.
• Work with the Program Director and Communications Specialist to ensure success stories and grantee portfolios are shared and publicized, as relevant and appropriate, with USAID and on relevant social media platforms.

Required Qualifications, Skills, & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or international equivalent in social sciences, humanities, or business and finance. 
• 8+ years of experience working in international business and grants management, with experience in USAID grants management strongly preferred
• Experience in the administration of large, complex USAID-funded grants and contracts is required.
• Budgeting and accounting skills required. 
• Proven expertise in process management and creative problem-solving
• Proven knowledge and understanding of USAID rules and regulations and ability to flexibly and creatively apply these rules and regulations for tailored fit-for-purpose procurement processes and contracts or agreements
• Ability to identify time sensitive demands & inquiries and respond effectively
• Demonstrated exceptional customer and client relations (both internally & externally); ability to provide sound business judgment and contractual oversight.
• Strong client and stakeholder management skills across all levels, from international stakeholders to local organizations.
• Excellent organizational skills with a willingness to take initiative and be proactive in the procurement process.
• Excellent communications, facilitation, and negotiation skills
• Excellent writing, speaking, and reading skills in English required; fluency in Arabic required.
• Ability to work in a fast-moving, fluid team setting with multiple stakeholders.

Reporting Requirements

The Grants Manager will report directly to the Operations Director and the Program Director.

Direct reports may include the Grants Officer.