Job Summary:

Recovery in Sudan for Improved Nutrition and Growth (RISING II)is an anticipated 18-month Emergency Food Security Program, supporting the vulnerable returnees and residents in all five states of Darfur to sustainably improve their livelihoods and nutrition, setting the foundation for expansioninto increased development programming in subsequent phases.RISING II builds on from a first phase of funding from USAID in 2019 in three states of Darfur, complementing an ongoing 4-year integrated livelihoods, natural resource management, and nutrition program, Taadoud IIfunded by DFID,also operating across Darfur.

CRS is seeking a Grant and Compliance Manager to ensure successful management of the grant through the establishment and use of best practice project management systems, providing expert advice on donor requirements and regulations, supporting contract negotiation and review and helping to build staff capacity to ensure compliance with contractual and donor regulations. This includes supporting reporting on all aspects of USAID and DFID grants, including performance and income reporting. It also includes providing compliance support related to safeguarding, risk management, due diligence and asset management. The post-holder will work closely with all INGO, NNGO and private sector partners to improve compliance quality across the consortium. In this role, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives, coordinating, reporting and providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partner(s) advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your attention to detail and relationship management skills will ensure that the project for which you are responsible applies best practices and constantly works towardsimproving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

The Grant and Compliance Manager, under the direct supervision of the RISING II Chief of Party, working closely with the Taadoud II Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Program Managersand CRS/Sudan Finance team will be responsible for the following;

1. Financial Management and operational compliance

• Review of donor contracts to inform decision making during contract execution
• Undertake activities to ensure donor compliance is achieved including audit support; on site verification and data quality via field visits.
• Provide guidance to programming and operations staff regarding donor requirements including development and management of cash flows, invoicing, internal and external finance reporting as well as the development of budgets to ensure accuracy and consistency
• Support procurement processes and ensure donor requirements are met and reflected in sub-contracts and sub-grants including supporting vetting as required.
• Develop mechanisms to minimize risk programmatically and financially
• Identify, share, adapt and create tools and training to support excellence in grants management
• Identify compliance gaps and related solutions – including differences between donor and internal CRS policies and procedures, including cost allocation.
• Work closely with CRS subrecipients to ensure monthly financial and liquidation reports are submitted to CRS and are fully supported with financial evidence from the partners.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of program finances and progress status, review actual financial performance against the budget, and explain variances on a regular basis.
• Review budget comparison reports to ensure adherence to restrictions on line item flexibility and accepted costs. Support follow up actions to resolve any identified problems.
• Design effective budget monitoring tools, generate and review monthly reporting and lead regular meetings with Chiefs of Party and other managers to review issues and trends identified.
• Support forecasting and reporting for CRS and partners to ensure that expected funding is recorded accurately to support income tracking and reporting

2. Internal Control Assessment

• Ensure adherence to record keeping as per donor and CRS Internal requirements. Monitor application and address gaps as needed.

• Ensure timely closure of finance audit recommendations related to donor compliance; participate in preparation, implementation and monitoring of related action plans.
• Lead site visits to partners to assess adequacy of internal controls, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and partner policies and procedures. Report findings to program management including proposed follow-up with sub-grantees based on issues surfaced.
• Perform ongoing monitoring and assessment of partner capacity to record and post transactions.
• Ensure adequate response and monitoring to implement recommendations of all financial audits and partner capacity assessments
• Lead implementation of the Sub-recipient Financial Management policy. Ensure all partners are effectively assessed; categorized and all corrective actions are fully implemented.
• Organize external audits in accordance with grant requirements.
• Provide guidance and support for the timely assessment of partner financial management capacity and ability to adhere to any specific donor requirements.
• Work on initiatives to address audit findings and accountability issues related to RISING
• Monitor implementation of action/corrective action plans relative to both internal and external audits in the grant management area

3. Partnerships and capacity building

• Capacity building and support to ensure grants are managed in compliance with donor requirements; lead workshops for project staff to understand contractual obligations and donor compliance requirements, development of contract templates and training among others
• Provide both on the job, formal training, coaching and mentoring for seconded staff, CRS, ministries and partner staff
• Identify staff and partner capacity gaps and providetailored capacity building as appropriate.
• Oversee and roll out safeguarding measures and tracking.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration or accounting, required.
• Minimum 5 five years relevant work experience with an NGO or INGO.Additional education may substitute for some experience; additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Experience managing USG and/or other donor grant awards.Knowledge of USAID and/or DFID regulations required.
• Very strong finance background, auditing experience a plus.
• Demonstrated ability in building capacity, providing training and technical assistance.
• Excellent interpersonal, representation, communication, coaching and facilitation skills.
• Good command of spoken and written English.
• Self-guided, strong organizational, time management and planning skills.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel and other appropriate software). SUN System/ Q&A exposure and competence will be an added advantage, or ability to learn quickly.

Personal Skills

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work well multi-cultural environment
• Proactive, results-oriented, problem-solving and service-oriented
• High attention to detail, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to operate independently with limited remote supervision
• Flexibility, and ability to react positively to changing circumstances

Required Languages: Fluency in English and Arabic required; other languages will be considered a plus

Travel Required: Position is based in Khartoum. Ability to travel up to 60% to Darfur required.

Supervision responsibilities: N/A

Key Working Relationships

• Internal: RISING and Taadoud Chief of Parties and Deputy Chief of Party, Program Managers, Operations staff.
• External: Consortium and local partners,Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC).

Agency-wide Competencies: These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Trusting Relationships
• Professional Growth
• Partnership
• Accountability

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. Equal Opportunity Employer

How to apply:

• If interested, please submit a cover letter, resume, and copies of your education and work certificates to Sudanjob.net