Senior Grants Management Associate at - Nairobi, Kenya - Root Capital

Description

Root Capital is an agricultural impact investor that grows rural prosperity in poor, environmentally vulnerable places in Africa and Latin America by lending capital, delivering financial training, and strengthening market connections for small and growing agricultural businesses.

Position Overview

The Senior Grants Management Associate is responsible for grants set up, technical and financial monitoring and general donor compliance through accurate and timely coordination with different areas of the organization, using standardized processes and facilitates qualitative and quantitative information for reporting purposes during the life of the grants.

Responsibilities
Grants set up and kick off (20%)

Construct materials to facilitate the implementation of committed activities and budget execution, as well as other administrative donor compliance requirements, coordinating with other teams of the organization to ensure the success of the grant.

Communicate donor commitments to key stakeholders, budget availability and other compliance requirements in a timely manner.
Establish links between implementation teams, and other administrative functions so that all grant management activities are smoothly implemented.
Manage post-award document and system update.

Monitor technical, programmatic and administrative activities (40%)

Monitor technical and programmatic activities related to the grants assigned.
Monitoring intermediate results against commitments and targets for the grants assigned.
Communicate to relevant staff about upcoming deadlines and deliverables, thereby ensuring smooth completion of work responsibilities.
Assess and monitor budget management and use of available funds of the grants assigned.
Present strong rationale analysis around implementation or budget variances.

Identify and develop strategies in coordination with the Grants Manager to optimize the grant management aligned with the donor needs.

Communicate as needed any programmatic and budget variances to the Grants Manager, supporting further communications with key stakeholders.
Engage in the administration of all aspects of the grant management process.

Grants reporting (40%)

Prepare and/or support financial reports using project-reporting templates and systems when needed and in direct coordination with Accounting.

Deliver quantitative and qualitative information related to the progress compared to commitments, budget execution, and other compliance deliverables requested by the donor for reporting purposes.

Collaborate with the implementation managers and other key staff members as needed in the validation of information gathered.
Participate in the internal report debrief as needed along with the Grants Manager.
Complete special projects as assigned.

Required Skills and Experience

At least 6 years of experience in a non-profit setting working with grants.
At least 4 years of Project Management experience.
University degree in Economics, International Relations, Development Studies, Business management or any other relevant field.
Master degree on Project Management or similar preferred.
Experience in data collection and analysis (quantitative and qualitative) and database management.
Fully conversant in Microsoft Office packages is essential.
Strong communication skills.
Proactive, service-oriented mind-set and a self-starter.
Ability to trouble-shoot routine situations.
Collaboration skills.
Fluent English language skills .
Technical expertise in areas such as poverty reduction, agricultural value-chain development; economic growth, job creation, small and medium-size enterprise business development
Passion for Root Capital's commitment to worldwide poverty alleviation and environmental conservation.
Authorized to work in Kenya.