Grant and Controlling Specialist

Internal/External Vacancy

Light for the World is an international disability and development organization whose vision is an inclusive society where no one is left behind. We enable crucial eye health services and help empower people with disabilities in some of the poorest regions of the world.

Our programs include:

• Eye Health preventing blindness and promoting eye health for all
• Education ensuring children with disabilities receive quality, inclusive education.
• Work enhancing access for persons with disabilities to opportunities for employment and self-employment
• Neglected Tropical Diseases elimination and control of neglected tropical diseases.

We focus on the poorest and hardest to reach because thats where we will have the biggest impact. We create change through local people, organizations, and structures because we want our impact to last.

To strengthen our highly committed and passionate team, we are looking for a Grant and Controlling Specialist with the following Job Brife and and Major responsibilities.

Job Brief

Reporting to the Head of Finance and Operations and with a functional link with the USAID/RTI Act-East Programme Manager in Addis Ababa, Program Coordinator and Grant Lead in HQ, The grant and Controlling Specialist is responsible for USAIDs financial compliance and risk management working with program staff and partner organizations to assist them in planning, granting, budgeting, and financial management. S/he oversees partners financial reporting, budgeting, auditing, and donors compliance to agreed Light for the Worlds procedures and policies as well as donors requirements. S/he adheres to international standards and aims to build the financial and budget management capacity of partner organizations through training monitoring and support. S/he is also responsible for ensuring all stakeholders involved in the implementation of the projects understand and uphold both Light for the World s financial policies and procedures and proactively manage contracts and risks within respective projects and programs as per the donors requirement. The Grant & Controlling Specialist will have the main responsibility for project budget planning, Donors financial report preparation, quality assurance, peoples management, reviewing and verifying financial requests by partners ensuring the timely transfer of funds to the respective partners; ensuring compliance with donor requirements, analyzing financial reports received from respective partners, assisting partners in the financial statement preparation and timely and quality reporting.

Major Responsibilities

• Ensure in-country implementation of agreed internal financial processes, as well as Grant processes about the programs, particularly USAID/RTI Act- East.
• Ensures Collaboration with Accounting & Programmes
• Ensuring compliance with donors, Light for the Worlds, and local government procedures in financial planning, implementation, and reporting of grants by engaging relevant stakeholders including Light for the World staff and implementing partners.
• Deliver reports and results in the context of internal needs as well as donor and government requirements.
• Ensure capacity building of partners and staff members on key guidelines and procedures to create a common understanding of all the requirements with respect to implemented grants by relevant stakeholders.
• Implementing orientation and coaching in the field and organizing in-house orientation sessions.
• Play people management role and collaboration with different teams including Grant team. Besides, develop, coach, mentor the field program finance staff as well.
• Set-up systems or amend existing ones in a participatory manner to respond to the changing needs of the organization.
• Collaboration work with the international Grant and control team to ensure internal process and external reporting compliance in addition to being a communication channel for grant management purposes.
• Manage reporting requirements on progress reports, monthly spot checks, performance reports, Governmental Reports, and Equipment Inventory Reports.
• Ensure compliance with internalandexternal (donor) financial guidelines including procurement, financial management and reporting.
• Receive and review periodic grants reports for all sub recipients and ensure proper allocation of expenses, reasonability of expenses and allowability as per donor guidelines.
• Periodic review of local partner internal controls and policies for advice on strengthening and transaction verification through monitoring and supervisions.
• Provide technical support, follow-up, monitoring and supervise the sub recipients to ensure full compliance meet with the donors requirements.
• Provide financial capacity building to program staff and partners.
• Provide mentorship to field level staffs and sub recipients and capacity development to them to manage, plan, implement, monitor, and report on grants awarded.
• Regular review and update Grant Management Standard Operating Procedures and relevant documents governing awards as needed.

What we can offer as an employer:

We are offering an outstanding opportunity to bring about change through an international development organization with strong expertise, a growing profile, and a dedicated team.

The location of employment is Addis Ababa with 25% field travel time within the project areas

Terms of Employment:One-year contract with the possibility of extension based on performance.

Reporting Line:Head of Finance and Operations

Qualifications:

• A bachelors degree and masters degree in accounting, finance, or related field. Additional qualifications and certifications are a plus.
• A minimum of 8-10 years of professional work experience on USAID grant management on NTDs program or related health programs, with a strong background in nonprofits or grantmaking and/or project management systems.
• Experience in USAID grant management particularly Fixed Amount Award(FAA) management is an advantageous.
• Experience in budget management of 2-4 Million USD per annum.
• Financial or business management and analysis skills
• Experience managing large-scale projects.
• A good understanding of accruals accounting is required. Strong organizational, time management, problem solving, decision making, team work orientation, and analytical skills, able to set up and roll out systems that support the overall operation of the organization.
• Computer literacy with a high level of knowledge and practice using Microsoft Office, notably Word, Excel and PowerPoint and financial software packages.
• Knowledge of post-award compliance best practices.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to explain policies and procedures/rules and regulations clearly.