The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking an accomplished professional with demonstrated experience in drafting and negotiating funding awards to fill the newly created position of Regional Grants and Contracts Manager in order to lead the SSA regional portfolio and support CIP’s driven initiatives and projects.
The Center:CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its vision is of roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP works with partners to contribute high quality science, technology, and capacity strengthening for sustainable science-based solutions. CIP is headquartered in Lima, Peru, with staff and activities in over 30 locations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. CIP is a member of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research, a network of 15 research centers mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 50 donor members.
The position:Regional Grants and Contracts Manager will report to the Head of Grants and Contracts, will have the Regional Director for SSA as co-supervisor and will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The primary objective of this position is to lead the management of SSA Regional Grants and Contracts portfolio; ensuring that proposals comply with donor and CGIAR requirements, procedures and guidelines in the post award phases of the CIP project life cycle. The function will build the capacity of CIP field based staff on the subject of G&C compliance.
Manage the SSA regional portfolio of awards (donor, prime, sub-recipient), MOUs, and Host Country Agreements (HCA) as G&C’s contact point, acting as a liaison between the G&C HQ unit and the SSA Regional Director, Program leaders, Project Managers and regional staff;
Review of all funding and partner award transactions, in collaboration with other functional areas such as program, finance, intellectual property, administration, and/or HR for their approval and signature;
Responsible for the drafting, negotiating and approval-for-signature of partner sub-recipient agreements and technical collaboration MOUs;
Supports the Regional Director with legal presence queries and drafting of Host Country Agreements for HQ review;
Ensures adherence to applicable delegation of authority policies, as they relate to signatory powers and thresholds;
Convene with HQ stakeholders in regular meetings to ensure communication on contractual aspects of projects, identify issues requiring action and ensure follow-through on deliverables;
Develop and maintain shared learning with HQ and SSA country constituencies regarding G&C;
Maintains an up-to-date database and repository of all SSA regional signed awards, MOUs, and HCA in OCS;
Deliver training for regional or country office staff on a variety of G&C topics;
Identify support needs of sub recipients in areas affecting G&C compliance and timely delivery; and contribute to providing training and check-ups;
Participate in the development of institutional policies, guidance documents and procedures and in thinking creatively and critically on ways to streamline operating procedures;
Support the HQ technical reporting function by ensuring timely follow up with SSA Principal Investigators on submission deadlines and response to donor queries;
Participate in project life cycle reviews and meetings on behalf of the G&C SSA function (PNM meeting, start-up meeting, closeout meeting).
Selection Criteria:
Bachelor’s degree in International Development, business or related field. Preferably with post graduates studies;
Relevant four years of experience drafting and negotiating funding awards, with at least two multinational development organizations. Focus on agricultural research is a plus;
Proven expertise of leading large funding initiatives, knowledge of USAID and other donors rules and regulations preferred;
Knowledge of USAID ADS Chapter 303 and ADS 308 Awards to Public International Organizations is a plus;
Project Management Certification is desirable;
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple or tight deadlines and projects;
Excellent critical thinking, problem solving and decision making skills;
Partnership management skills;
Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English;
Willingness to travel.
Conditions: This position is local thus limited to Kenyan nationals and permanent residents. The employment contract will be for two yearterm with possibility of renewal. CIP prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal and professional growth. The successful candidate will receive a compensation package comparable with similar organizations and in line with the candidate’s qualification and experience.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants should apply online through our CIP’s Job Opportunities website (http://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/ ), including a letter of motivation, a full C.V with the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. Screening of applications will begin on 20 May, 2015 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged, however only short listed candidates will be contacted.