Niger: Regional Grant Manager

Job Responsibilities:

• Manage a key aspect of the development, implementation and consolidation of the BRACED/SUR1M project creating the enabling environment to meet donor expectations in terms of timeliness and quality of donor deliverables, especially the donor-approved budget and budget updates at each Grant Year and ongoing financial reporting. Serve as a point of contact on finance and grant management to DFID as well as to public, private and non-government stakeholders, when needed.
• Consolidation of and analysis on the quarterly financial report to the donor with attention to timely submission of the disbursement request, and consolidation of analysis on the monthly financial forecast for submission to the donor.
• Manage financial processes in accordance with policies and provide proactive service delivery, advice, and support to CoP and project managers, staff, and sub-recipients in relation to managing the whole project cycle (Design, Start-up, Implementation, Close-out), ensuring efficiency and compliance with CRS' policies and procedures, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donors' rules and regulations, and legal requirements.
• Ensure integrity of accounting information by reviewing account issues for compliance w/ DFID reporting requirements and establishing quality control over accounting transactions and financial reporting. Oversee maintenance of supporting documentation for a reliable and easy to follow audit trail.
• Lead the preparation of accurate financial data, analysis and projections and support the CoP and Project Managers in interpreting data for decision-making and effectively managing financial risks, in particular, foreign currency risk.
• Oversee project close-out of administrative, logistics and finance activities i.e, disposition of project assets and files, financial account closure, office-closure, personnel etc.

• Oversee compliance with agency and donor requirements and local laws and regulations through periodic systems checks, review and assessment of CP's operations policies and procedures. Act as lead contact and responder to issues that emerge from internal and external audits and provide recommendations and guidance to implement improvements.

• Assess, evaluate and monitor sub-recipient financial management processes in accordance with policy and strengthen capacity of partner in financial accounting and transactions. Monitor disbursement/receipt schedules, alert relevant BRACED staff of due dates and escalate late submissions appropriately to promptly resolve and to build capacity where necessary.

• Oversee contractual agreements, in relation to the whole cycle (development, approvals, signing, amending, close-out) between CRS and sub-recipients, vendors and consultants to include the negotiation and execution in coordination with the relevant departments of CRS.

• Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of appropriate partnerships and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.

• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports (Finance and admin staff).

• Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Help ensure compliance with DFID grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to DFID. Contribute to ensuring coordination between program and operations leads. Contribute to ensuring the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per MEAL policy and procedures.

• Support CoP and Niger and Mali Country Program leadership to manage and mitigate risk through monitoring national and regional issues that may impact staff and programming. Ensure all staff understand and adhere to CRS staff safety and security policies and plans.

• Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Help ensure compliance with DFID grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to DFID.

• Maintain relationships with key staff of consortium partner organizations particularly with respect to finance and grant management. Contribute to coordination of the roles and activities of staff from other consortium member organizations in implementation in line with CRS partnership principles.

• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and recommend trainings and technical assistance.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Master's degree in Business, Finance, or Accounting, or International Development, International Relations, Law or a relevant technical area with a demonstrated competence in financial management.
• 5 years' relevant management and technical experience.
• 3 years' experience managing donor funds. Knowledge and experience in budget management.
• Recognized technical experience and qualifications in sector

• Demonstrated experience of successful management, including management of functions of complex, multi-activity projects.

• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.

• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.

• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

Personal Skills

• Very good strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Very good relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Required/Desired Foreign Language

• Fluency in English and French.

Travel Required travel may be required within and between Niger and Mali and to other destinations but most likely <25%

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory RGM will manage two to three Grant Accountants

Internal Regional and Country Program Heads of Finance and Operations, the CoP, and the project's Program Managers

External DFID, DFID's Fund Manager KPMG, project consortium members, and project Steering Committees

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Trusting Relationships
• Professional Growth
• Partnership
• Accountability

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Please follow this link to apply: https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/nghome.guid?c=1161051&d=External&r=5000284921806