USAID SCALING UP NUTRITION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (SUN TA)

Contracts and Grants Manager

DAI works at the cutting edge of international development, combining technical excellence, professional project management, and exceptional customer service to solve our clients’ most complex problems. Since 1970, DAI  has worked  in  150  developing and transition  countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, health and nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS, avian influenza control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and host-country governments.

1. Project Background:

The Scaling Up Nutrition Program is a cross-ministry and multi-donor program to reduce stunting in Zambia through implementation of the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) 1,000 Most Critical Days Program.

SUN TA provides support and direct technical assistance to sub-national local government departments in target districts to plan, implement, coordinate, and monitor integrated nutrition-sensitive and nutrition- specific activities to reduce the rate of stunting among Zambian children under two and improve the nutritional status of pregnant and lactating mothers. USAID has identified two main objectives that address stunting, including (1) Adequate Quantity and Quality of Dietary Intake among Target Groups; and (2) Adequate Health Conditions for Biological Utilization of Nutrients. SUN TA interventions increase access and availability of safe, diverse, nutritious food; adoption of better child feeding and household hygiene practices; and access to improved health, water, and sanitation services. The project prioritizes sustainability by improving intra-household joint decision making and building the capacity of local government and their stakeholders to ensure coordination, accountability, and learning, following the Scaling Up Nutrition model.

2. Location:

Lusaka, with possible travel to the provinces

3. Salary Grade :10

4. Objective:

Under the supervision of the Team Lead Operations, the Contracts & Grants Manager supports the administration of contracts and grants awarded under the SUNTA prime contract. S/he conducts site visits as needed. S/he leads the inception and administration of grants awarded as well as contracting short and long- term consultants and service vendors. The position also has responsibility for grant-making operations, matters relating to grantee risk management and compliance, and stewardship of donor funds.

5. Tasks and Responsibilities:

Contracts Management and Administration:

• Write and evaluate expressions of interest (EOI) and requests for proposals (RFP) covering a wide range of transactions
• Maintain reporting, correspondence and documentation related to contracts and grants.
• Monitor contracts and grants delivery and moving forward with close-out, extension or renewal of contracts and grants
• Solve problems related to sub-awards
• Prepare and execute purchase order and/or sub-awards according to DAI and USAID policies from inception to close-out including modifications
• Develop/Maintain a system to track purchase orders, subcontracts, and/or sub-awards through development, review, approval, implementation, and close-out
• Standardize administrative procedures for efficient sub-award management and ensure completeness of sub-award documents
• Serve as a primary point of contact for SUN TA technical and operations staff with questions on contractual issues or transactions,
• Advises the program’s senior management of risk involved; and provide supporting information in disputes concerning contractual issues
• Interact with technical staff to ensure completion and quality of deliverables prior to payment of invoices, and ensure sufficient supporting documentation is provided and approvals obtained.
• Review monthly financial reports from sub-awardees to ensure financial compliance and accuracy with USAID and DAI policies and standards
• Other duties as assigned.

Grants management

• Prepares tender and grants documents
• Participates in the strategic planning and drafting tenders for all project activities
• Maintains an orderly and complete filing system for all grant files and a grants database
• Verifies items billed against items ordered and reconcile differences through follow-up with third-party vendors
• Schedules reporting requirements and payments for grants.
• Conducts regular review and site assessment for grants. Compiles observations, findings, and convenes key stakeholders for discussion and decision-making when necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

6. Reporting and Supervision:

The Contracts & Grants Manager will report to the Team Lead Operations.

7. Qualifications:

•  Bachelor’s Degree or its International Equivalent – in Business Administration, Legal Studies, or Related Field, Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of 10 years’ professional work experience with at least 5 years in Contracts and/or Grants Management position in a US AID Funded project
• Advanced knowledge of USG rules and regulations applicable to Contracts and Grants.
• Experience managing infrastructure contracts/activities is highly desired
• Organizational skills are required for this position to ensure due process and that record of documentation is filed professionally and accurately for internal and external audit.
• Excellent reading comprehension skills and demonstrated ability to analyze complex contracts clauses.
• Strong communications skills and ability to collaborate effectively
• Proven problem-solving skills and exceptional stakeholder relations with both internal and external parties
• Willingness and ability to travel to sub-district levels