Background:

The USAID Feed the Future Uganda Institutional and Systems Strengthening (ISS) Activity is a five- year Activity implemented by DT-Global Inc. The goal of the Activity is to support key national level Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Industry Apex Organizations (IAOs) that are vital to driving inclusive agriculture-led economic growth to fulfill their mandate, leading to pathways to prosperity, improved resilience, and better nutrition for the people of Uganda. The purpose of the Activity is to improve the performance and structures of MDAs and IAOs. This purpose will be achieved through the following four objectives: (I) Improve the internal processes of selected MDAs and IAOs, making them more responsive to the needs of their consumers, members, and the general public; (2) Improve the policy framework that supports the functionality of selected MDAs and IAOs; (3) Strengthen key capacity elements of select MDAs and IAOs to-perform their mandates; and (4) Strengthen the "structures" or key vertical and horizontal linkages within, between and among institutions so that they work together more effectively to achieve their goals.

The Grants Specialist will be responsible for providing management and quality assurance support throughout the entire grant process, from solicitation to closeout of grant under contracts awards, including writing project descriptions and performance measures and evaluating applicants, monitoring grant spending and performance compliance, preparing analyses and reports, and working with other departments, community groups, and organizations. The Grants Specialist will provide ongoing monitoring and supervision for grantees in implementation and support the grant closeout process in line with DT-Global and USAID regulations.

Responsibilities

1. Support grant conception phase through review of relevant documentation, provision of technical inputs, and participation in co-creation.

Task areas include:

a. Review grant application documents to ensure technical alignment with Request for Application (RFA) and/or Annual Program Statement (APS). Provide verbal and written feedback to ISS Activity Grants Team on gaps/issues and recommended next steps.

b. Provide technical inputs during co-creation sessions with potential grantees to improve clarity and reduce ambiguity in grant applications/proposals received.

2. Conduct quality assurance and compliance review of grant packages being prepared for submission to USAID for review and approval – liaising between the Activity’s team in Kampala and Home Office team to address feedback and finalize grant packages for submission to USAID.

Task areas include:

a. Review of full grant packages to identify any gaps/discrepancies in files required for compliance with the Grants Manual, USAID regulations, and local law.

b. Review of the Grants Activity Description (GAD) to ensure:

• Presentation is clear and the grant is technically sound and effectively designed.
• Clear, concise writing consistent with the full Grant Application.
• Consistency and clear linkages between sections within the document (e.g., between Description, Objectives, Activities, Results, Milestone Table, Deliverables, etc.).

c. Review of Grant Budget to ensure:

• Cost reasonableness.
• Sufficiently clear and detailed budget notes.
• Activities and initiatives outlined in the Statement of Work are sufficiently budgeted for and presented clearly and consistently in the budget.
• The basis for grantee leverage figures is sound and reasonable.

d. Review of Negotiation Memorandum to ensure:

• Methodologically sound from a competitive standpoint.
• Document outlines a clear process for development and eventual award of the grant.
• Clear, concise writing.

e. Review of Environmental Review Form (as applicable) to ensure:

• All activities are covered as presented in the grant documents.
• Technical inputs from the environmental experts are clear.

f. Guide and support team to address all feedback from the Home Office on the above- mentioned documents after feedback has been received.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field; master’s degree preferred.
• At least ten years of experience in grant development and implementation under USAID and/or other donor programs, with a preference for such experience under economic growth projects.
• Strong experience in and knowledge of USAID grant-making processes, procedures, and compliance.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail spanning review of different types of documents, from activity technical writing and grant budget review.
• Excellent language proficiency in spoken and written English
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including patience, diplomacy, willingness to listen, and respect for colleagues.
• Good ethical and unquestionable level of integrity
• Must be a Ugandan citizen.

Estimated Period of Performance:

The opening is a full-time position with a one-year contract renewable dependent on availability of funding and will require staff time of 40 hours a week.

Reporting:

The Grants Specialist - will report to Deputy Chief of Party