Oti Lebanon Grant Specialist

The Lebanon Civic Support Initiatives (LCSI) project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Office of Transition Initiative (OTI).  The project provides in-kind grants to a variety of institutions in Lebanon, including Lebanese non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community based organizations, or informal groups, to implement project activities.  The project aims to increase social cohesion in vulnerable communities primarily in the North. Specific Duties, Responsibilities, and Accountabilities Assist in the design, development and implementation and program monitoring and evaluation of grant-making and grants management policies, procedures, and practices, in coordination with the Chief of Party, Operations Manager, and other staff. Provide policy guidance and interpretation for other OTI Lebanon project staff involved in grant making and grants management as well as sub-grantees. Analyze and evaluate grant applications, proposals and grant agreement/award documents to ensure adherence to established grants management policies. Ensure proper negotiation of the terms and conditions for sub-grants (both cash and in-kind) and review and analyze budget estimates (for cash or in-kind grants) for allocability, reasonableness, and consistency. Under the direction of the Chief of Party and Operations Manager, establish the overall policies, practices and procedures relating to all aspects of grants under the OTI Lebanon project, contributing to the preparation of the Activity Management Guide that will guide the implementation of grants and other project activities.  This will include specific procedures relating to grant solicitation and selection, grant awards, grant implementation, grant monitoring and evaluation and grant close-outs. Ensure the proper preparation and execution of grant documents and grant disbursements consistent and compliant with USAID and Chemonics requirements, procedures and best practices. Documentation required will include items such as negotiation memos, grant activity forms, branding and marking plans, or others.  In coordination with the Finance Manager and Procurement Specialist, assess recipient capabilities related to activity implementation and advise them on how to enhance them. In coordination with the Finance Manager and Procurement Specialist, analyze, assess, and assist with budgetary and financial aspects of grant proposals, recipient financial management capacities and planning for implementation/procurement and cash disbursement needs for grants implementation throughout the life of the project.  The Grants Specialist will work with other team members to ensure adequate cash flow for grant activities throughout their implementation. Ensure effective liaison between project staff and grant recipients; provide project grant recipients with technical advice and assistance in areas such as financial management, and financial sustainability, procurement requirements and implementation planning. Work under the supervision of the Chief of Party, and in close coordination with the Operations Manager, Project Development Officers, Finance Manager, Procurement Specialist, OTI Transition Advisor, and other team members on all matters relating to grants.   Job Qualifications Strong management and administrative skills, preferably with respect to managing cash and in-kind grants. Good analytical ability and knowledge of community-based organizations and an up-to-date understanding and knowledge of political and social conditions inLebanon. Demonstrated experience in assessing recipient organizations’ grant-worthiness, as well as their financial, administrative and program planning capacities. Patience, good humor, and an ability to get along well with people in a team, sometimes in demanding and/or busy circumstances. Experience and/or good understanding of donor organizations. Field experience with NGOs preferably inLebanon, and experience in, monitoring and evaluating field projects, and ability/willingness to travel throughout the country on a regular basis. At least three years relevant experience in the management and administration of grants and/or donor-funded projects, such as activity management, financial management, procurement, and/or sub-contracting.   Demonstrated experience in activity management focused on ensuring that procurement, finance, logistics, and programmatic aspects are being implemented on-time and in accordance with the specifications of the approved activity. Familiarity with USAID Contract Management and Grants Management policies and procedures is desirable but experience with other donor funded projects will be accepted.