Grants Director - Innovation Fund at Creative Associates International

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic development and post-crisis stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike. 

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Grants Director - Innovation Fund

Requisition Number: 17-0209
Location: Abuja

Position Summary

• The purpose of the AgCompete project is to strengthen agriculture productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers in Nigeria.
• The project will be composed of three main components:
  • Design of the Agriculture Competitiveness Fund for private sector partnerships and funding to catalyze technological innovations;
  • Administration of the Agriculture Competitiveness Fund to develop private sector partnerships and provide grants; and
  • Technical assistance that directly supports, coordinates, and organizes qualifying recipients to achieve the Missions food security objectives.
• The project will contribute to the Mission’s overall Feed the Future strategy, which looks to improve agriculture competitiveness of smallholder farmers in Nigeria.

Reporting & Supervision:

• Reporting directly to the COP, the Grants Director / Innovation Fund will support the COP and the AgCompete to ensure the innovation fund meets its objectives to catalyze new investment in Nigeria agribusiness and agriculture value chain development.

Primary Responsibilities

• Ensures that innovation fund meets its objectives.
• Liaises with the value chain development team to identify companies/enterprises with potential to contribute to a stronger Nigerian market system through provision of agriculture inputs, expanded processing and trade, linkages to post-harvest handling and storage; and promotion of domestic consumption of key value chains.
• Oversees a grants management team, ensuring that grants are in compliance with USAID and Palladium policies and procedures, and ensuring that grants manual and related program documents are compliant with USAID regulations.
• Oversees development of a grant tracking system to ensure the timely and correct execution of all grant agreements.
• Maintains communication with recipients to ensure smooth administration of sub instruments;
• Ensures compliance with agreement/sub-agreement terms and conditions.

Expected Outcomes

• Develops grants manual to be approved by the client;
• Delivers compliant tracking of grants manual;
• Achieves component deliverables.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• At least a Master's Degree in Business, Economics, Accounting, Finance or other relevant field (or, alternately, a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field and 5 additional years of relevant experience);
• At least 7 years of relevant work experience, including experience with a Contractor or international NGO managing an office or program;
• Prior relevant experience with USAID or USAID-funded projects is required;
• At least 5 years of experience in grants management;
• Experience managing projects and/or an office with culturally diverse teams;
• Prior experience in Nigeria required;
• Excellent oral and written English required.

Application Closing Date
31st July, 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
 
Note

• Local and regional candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
• Position contingent upon donor funding.
• Only finalists will be contacted.  No phone calls, please.