Grant Assistants-Field Office

Founded in 1975, Chemonics International Inc. (Chemonics), is a US-based international development consulting company, operating in over 75 countries worldwide. Chemonics was recently awarded the five-year, $44.9 million USAID-funded Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) project in Ethiopia. The purpose of this Activity will be to support accelerated access to safe, adequate, inclusive, and resilient WASH services targeting urban and peri-urban areas. The Activity will work to achieve this through four complementary objectives: 1) Enable and professionalize WASH service providers; 2) Foster markets for pro-poor and inclusive WASH services; 3) Strengthen WASH planning, budgeting, and service delivery oversight; and 4) Strengthen accountability among urban WASH sector actors. The USAID Urban WASH Activity will be implemented in up to 10 urban cities in Ethiopia namely, Adama, Bishoftu, Mekele, Bahir Dar, Dessie, Kobolcha, Shashemene, Hawassa, Harar and Dire Dawa.

Purpose

Chemonics seeks Grants Assistant for the USAID Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Activity. The Grants Assistant will support the Addis Ababa-based Senior Grants/Subcontracts Manager and the Grants Officer with the oversight of all grant activities in their assigned region, including ensuring efficient and proper controls for USAID grant compliance and reporting; coordinating training and grants administration with NGOs grantees; and reviewing and submission of financial reports as required for each grant in the field. This position will report to the Regional WASH Services Lead, with frequent oversight and coordination with the Senior Grants/Subcontracts Manager. 

The Grants Assistant position will be based in Adama, with frequent travel to Bishoftu.

Responsibilities  

• Support the Senior Grants/Subcontracts Manager in all aspects of grant management for the Urban WASH grants portfolio in target areas, ensuring grant effectiveness and compliance with USAID and Chemonics procedures throughout the development, solicitation, and closeout cycle.
• Assist in scheduling proposal evaluations, pre-award assessment visits, and training.
• Support the Senior Grants/Subcontracts Manager in reviewing all sub-grant applications, deliverables (in collaboration with technical specialists), and financial reports for quality, contractual consistency, accuracy, and compliance with USAID regulations.
• Support grant-level procurement, budget, and deliverable tracking; conduct field visits to support activity implementation and monitoring.
• Review sub-grantees' liquidation and financial reports, providing summaries to the project’s Senior Grants/Subcontracts Manager monthly.
• Maintain comprehensive grant files for all documentation generated per grantee, ensuring they are up to date.
• Support project audits, grantor audits, or monitoring visits as required.
• In close coordination with the Senior Grants/Subcontracts Manager and Grant Officer, regularly update grant trackers or other tracking tools, and attend and contribute to grants-related meetings.
• Under the guidance of the Senior Grants/Subcontracts Manager, and working closely with Urban WASH team members, provide mentoring support to grantees to strengthen and improve grant management capacity for enhanced performance.
• Travel to field locations, as needed, to support the Senior Grants/Subcontracts Manager and Grants Officer in award negotiations, implementation, and close-out.
• Promote the highest levels of honesty, integrity, openness, and transparency in administering grants award processes and procedures.
• Perform other grant management-related tasks assigned by the Senior Grants/Subcontracts Manager and by immediate supervisor, the Regional WASH Services Lead.

EEO Statement  

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Business Administration, or related fields required.

Skills and Experience:

• 1-2 years of experience in grants management, accounting, and financial management.
• Demonstrated proficiency in financial administration, budgeting, and forecasting management.
• Familiarity with USAID grant rules and regulations; previous experience with USAID-funded projects preferred.
• Strong record-keeping and documentation abilities.

Key Competencies:

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaborate and foster partnerships with U.S. government agencies, donor agencies, international organizations, and the private sector.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities, adaptability, and integrity.

Technical Proficiency:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Language Skills:

• Fluency in English with excellent oral and written communication skills required.
• Proficiency in Amharic, Afan Oromo preferred.

How To Apply

Please apply by using link. Applications must be submitted by the end of the day on July 31, 2024. Early applications are strongly encouraged and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No telephone inquiries, please. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.