Grants and Compliance Specialist

Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR) is an indigenous non-profit institution that works to accelerate positive health, social and economic reforms through high-quality program design and implementation, capacity building, implementation of scientific research and knowledge generation, as well as agenda setting and stakeholder convening across human development sectors.

SCIDaR is currently recruiting for an ongoing Investing in Innovation program (i3) project. The i3 project is a 24-month, Pan-African initiative to support data-driven innovations in health product distribution through a new value-creation network that brings together donors, industry actors, and institutions to co-deploy highly risk-tolerant funding, access to markets, and development support. The program will identify new innovators across the African continent, attract the best companies with risk-tolerant funding, help them grow, and link them to the global community.

Description and Objectives

The Grants and Compliance Specialist will take the lead in assuring the quality management of local and international sub-grantees from inception to closure. S/he will oversee the capacity-building component of the project, with a focus on strengthening internal systems, financial management of the sub-recipients, and building their competence in overall program management. The role holder will lead and develop a team of grant and contract professionals who will be responsible for all aspects of incoming and outgoing awards review, negotiation, risk assessment, and reporting. This includes working with the Legal counsel on drafting agreements, interpreting document language, and applying and ensuring adherence to rules and regulations from the funder.

Responsibilities

1. Serve as the principal point of contact on grant management and compliance issues with the local sub-grantees, finance, and compliance staff.
2. In conjunction with the Legal counsel, draft sub-grant agreements, sub-contract agreements, and vendor contracts
3. Lead the review of any new granting mechanisms to ensure adherence to donor requirements related to eligibility for the local sub-grantees, budget presentation, acceptability of cost allocation, and other proposal requirements.
4. Identify compliance gaps and related solutions – including differences between donor and SCIDaR’s internal policies and procedures.
5. Manage the disbursement of funds to Consortium partners, Sub-grantees, and vendors; and also ensure that the funds are liquidated promptly.
6. Maintain dashboards for all Sub-grants, contracts, and vendors on the project.
7. Lead site visits to Sub-grantees to assess the adequacy of internal controls, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and partner policies and procedures.
8. Report findings to program management including proposed follow-up with sub-grantees based on issues that surfaced
9. Maintain a comprehensive understanding of GAAP and basic accounting records ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements governing the award
10. Monitor budgets and expenses at least monthly and ensure commitments to local partners do not exceed the available budget.
11. Track and ensure timely receipt and review of monthly expenditure reports from Sub-grantees/ Local partner organizations in line with approved agreements and budgets

Duty Station

The role is in SCIDaR’s Head Office in FCT but will require a periodic visit to sub-grantee offices outside the FCT, to monitor their internal control system and ascertain the extent of compliance with expectations on the grant.

Required competencies

Core requirements

1. Demonstrated experience analyzing financial documents and processes, interpreting contractual requirements and grants, operating instructions, program management, policies, and procedure manuals.
2. Demonstrated experience in managing multiple sub-grants concurrently
3. Strong knowledge of BMGF grant agreements, funding mechanisms, and requirements;
4. Excellent skills and experience in collaborative working relationships with medium-to-senior-level government leadership;
5. Significant experience in networking and communicating with developing country governments, international organizations, bilateral donors, civil society representatives, and senior-level government officials is desirable;
6. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality for sensitive issues and projects.

Required Education and Experience

1. Master’s Degree in Business, Procurement, Accounting, Finance, Management, Auditing, Economics, or related field;
2. Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in the NGO sector in Senior Grants/Compliance Management positions with progressively increasing responsibility in the management of a successful sub-granting portfolio, preferably with a bilateral or multilateral program;
3. Demonstrated experience in working with high-level government, civil society, and donor institutions with in-depth understanding and experience of working with proposals and contracts from international donors;
4. High proficiency in data management and reporting with professional certification (CPA) is a requirement;
5. Experience in complex planning and budgeting processes including the ability to provide clear guidance on donor policies and procedures;

Equal employment opportunity statement

SCIDaR is an equal employment employer. We do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable laws.