Grants Officer

26 June 2024

Kyiv/Lviv

AGRI-UKRAINE GRAIN EXPORT LOGISTICS

USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) is one of USAID’s core partners implementing the $350 million Agriculture Resilience Initiative – Ukraine (AGRI-Ukraine) that was established in 2022 to bolster Ukrainian agricultural exports and alleviate the global food security crisis exacerbated by the war. Under AGRI-Ukraine, ERA partners with public and private companies to complement and leverage urgently-needed grain transportation and transshipment investments.

INFRASTRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS

ERA also directly supports the Government of Ukraine, including the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (SARDI), the State Customs Service and Ukrainian Railways, to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s border crossing points (BCPs). Modern and more efficient border infrastructure and customs procedures will reduce export costs and increase export capacity, enabling  Ukraine to scale trade and advance its path to EU integration.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Grants Officer is responsible for proficiently managing and administering a sizable and complex array of grants under contract, many with local organizations unaccustomed to the complexities of administering USG funds. The Grants Officer leads in the provision of technical and administrative support in building capacity of local sub‐grantees to effectively manage grants in support of the work necessary to achieve results.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Work closely with program technical teams and Grants Director to identify grant concepts into implementable solutions (including solicitations) to further work plan objectives.
  • Administer the grantee selection process to ensure that policies and procedures are upheld as outlined in the approved Grants Manual.
  • Consult the technical teams in preparing a clear and comprehensive grant SOW to eligible grantees.
  • Negotiate grant terms, specific conditions, standard provisions and budgets with selected grantees.
  • Review and analyze budget estimates for allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and consistency.
  • Review and assess the capacity of a prospective grantee to manage the type of grant considered, make recommendations to the technical teams and Grants Director on the appropriate grant type and suggest specific conditions.
  • Co-develop capacity building plans for grantees, as appropriate.
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable USAID grants-under contract regulations, the approved Grants Manual, and DAI internal grants management procedures and forms. Maintain all required grants management documentation and ensure entry of grants information in project management system.
  • Manage and consult with the technical teams to ensure deliverables are to standard.
  • Provide continuous assessments of grantee performance delivery against project objectives through regular review of grantee progress towards deliverables and milestones, escalate issues to Technical Leads and Grants Director for troubleshooting.
  • Provide procedures and policy guidance and interpretation for grantees to ensure adherence to their grant agreement.
  • Work closely with the Grants Financial Officer to ensure that accrued grant liabilities are accurately tracked, and progress payments are processed on a timely basis.
  • Review all requests for payment or reimbursement for accuracy, compliance, and sufficient detail to ensure compliance with the grant agreement. Submit requests for payment to the Finance unit for further payment procedure.
  • Maintain meticulous electronic grant records in the project management system as per checklists and procedures.
  • Work closely with the grantee, the technical teams, and the Grants Director to ensure timely closeout, disposition, and final reports for grants.

JOB EXPECTATIONS:

In this position, you are expected to share the DAI four core values:

  • Integrity: commit to civil and ethical behavior, play by the rules, and do the right thing;
  • Responsibility: be accountable to clients, partners, grant recipients, beneficiaries, colleagues, and communities where we work. If you fall short, you own up, fix the problem, and get it right the next time;
  • Excellence: adhere to the highest technical and professional standards in innovation, learning, and service;
  • Global Citizenship: respect the cultural diversity and treat everyone everywhere with professionalism and dignity to make the world a better place.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Minimum of 3 years’ experience in international business and grants management, with experience in USAID grants management preferred.
  • Demonstrated record of achieving results in grants management with international development programs.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and written and oral communication skills.
  • Language requirements are as follows:
  • English level III (General working proficiency) Reading/Writing/Speaking. Preference will be given to the candidates with English level IV (Fluent).
  • Ukrainian Fluent.

WE OFFER

Contract length: 12-month employment agreement with a possibility of extension.

Benefits Package:

  • 28 calendar days of annual leave
  • 10 days of internal well-being paid leave per annum
  • Medical Insurance for ERA staff and their families
  • Life Insurance for ERA staff
  • Coverage of all expenses for the business trips
  • Military reservation is possible and granted if you are on a relevant military register

Start date: July 2024

Application process

All applicants must send a cover letter and updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English to ukraine@dai.com

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.

Closing date for applications: July 12, 2024.

For further information about DAI GLOBAL LLC, please consult our website era-ukraine.org.ua.