Grants Manager

Palladium is seeking a Grants Manager for the STEP DFID funded programme in Lebanon. The project aims to support SMEs to grow their business and create sustained jobs for low-skilled Lebanese workers as well as temporary jobs for Syrian refugees. This will be done through the provision of grants and wage subsidies to support job creation.

Outline of Position

The Grants Manager will be required to manage all the Grants and BDS disbursed through the Programme team.

Key Responsibilities, Duties and Tasks

Overall portfolio management:

• Support design, process flow and implementation of the eligibility, application and selection criteria for the Investment Fund
• During Inception phase, key lead in finalizing the STEP Handbook based on input from DFID and the Independent Evaluator; ensure input from core team and integration with overall programme strategy and activities
• Manage the overall grant portfolio and ensure activities are on track to meet targets and impact metrics
• Prepare the grant allocation, disbursements, and forecast schedules, as required
• Track all financial disbursements to grantees
• Review of site visit reports and following up on action points with SME Lead, Relationship/Portfolio Managers, BDS Lead and MEL Manager
• Ongoing identification and management of relevant operational risks; engaging key stakeholders and ensuring solutions are implemented in a timely manner

Implementation of grant management processes:

• Development of key templates for applications, selection and reporting
• Training and capacity building of programme team and partners to support above activities
• Review of grantee applications and supporting compliance documentation to ensure completeness, consistency and adherence to the grant terms
• Oversee due diligence process and support selection process in close coordination with programme team and partners
• Issue grant agreements
• Review project budgets and advise the Team Leader accordingly
• Review the Fiduciary Risk Assessment Reports to identify key risk areas
• Project Monitoring: Review, analyse and assess grantees performance against KPIs as per grant agreement; ensure milestones are met in order to release grants
• Review grantees' financial reports and request any additional supporting documentation for release of grant funds
• Coordinate project expenditure verification and audit
• Serve as Relationship Manager for a select few grantees who necessitate strong financial oversight due to the size or risk profile of the grant--including being the first point of contact for such grantees and managing relationships between assigned grantees and the programme
• Coordination with MEL Manager, SME Lead and Relationship/Portfolio Managers to track, monitor and report progress
• Inputs to regular reporting to DFID and internally within Palladium

Grant Management Policies and Procedures:

• Focus on continual improvement in the grant management processes ensuring at all times that the grant management function is operating efficiently and effectively
• Ensure that the STEP Handbook which includes the Grants Manual is up to date regarding grant management policies and procedures
• Maintain a comprehensive information management and filing system that ensures all client contractual documents, reports, key correspondences, etc. are appropriately filed in up-to-date and consistent soft and hard libraries available as needed
• In concert with the finance team, assist program technical leads and operations staff with understanding the reporting and other compliance requirements of the grants
• Ensure timely and accurate payments are made to Grantees throughout the life of the Grants Program

Training, Supervision and Leadership:

• Training, supervision and coaching of the team and partners with regards to grants management issues
• Working with Relationship/Portfolio Managers in making sure that their relevant portfolio is well managed and up to date
• Training of grantees on reporting to programme standards

Experience Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or any other relevant field; Master's degree preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of experience managing grants for international donors (preferably UK Aid programmes);
• Experience in managing Grants Information Systems is an asset
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure with limited guidance;
• Fluency in Arabic and English;