Grants Coordinator, UMCOR Sudan

LOCATION: Sudan – Khartoum with field visits to Darfur and South Sudan
REPORTS TO: Head of Mission, Sudan

Purpose: The Grants Coordinator (GC) plays an important role in the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) management structure in Sudan and South Sudan. UMCOR-NGO’s program areas in Sudan and South Sudan focus primarily in the fields of emergency relief and transitional development, which include but not limited to the following sectors: water and sanitation, food security, health, education/child protection, shelter, camp coordination, and community development. The position is based in Khartoum and includes travel to Darfur and other regions of Sudan, with 50% of the time spent in South Sudan. The contract is for an initial period of twelve (12) months with the possibility of extending depending upon performance and funding.

Essential Functions:
The GC will be responsible for coordination of grants that are being implemented in Sudan and South Sudan. The GC will be responsible for ensuring that Field Program Managers provide timely and accurate program reports. As well, the GC will be responsible for monitoring and evaluation of the programs through monitoring and evaluation visits to field sites in Sudan and South Sudan Missions. Additionally, the GC will be responsible for identifying funding opportunities and coordinating UMCOR's application, including developing project concepts and proposals. S/he identifies programmatic areas underserved by the NGO sector and which UMCOR with its mission or wider institutional knowledge is well placed to fill.

Program Management Responsibilities
• Assists program staff in managing grants that have been awarded by providing them with the tools to ensure compliance with contractual obligations listed or referred to in the grant agreements signed by UMCOR
• Prepares and submits grants amendments (change in scope, budget, nature or location of the projects)
• Liaises with UMCOR HQ with regard to grant issues including tracking sheets, changes, compliance issues etc.
• Liaises with donors on grant implementation, compliance and reporting matters in coordination with the HoM, and Program Managers in the field
• Coordinates flow of information between Program Managers, Khartoum. Juba and Headquarters on the status of programs being implemented; i.e. challenges, successes and lessons learned
• Works closely with Program Managers to conduct periodic needs assessments in the field
• Works with indigenous and local NGOs, CBOs, and FBOs to establish networks and partnerships for program design
• Maintains and monitors schedule for grants reporting and tracking of donor reports
• Compiles and submits all grants reports in line with measurable objectives, activities, indicators and timelines as indicated by the donor
• Liaises with UMCOR HQ staff with regards to reporting content and submission guidelines and coordinates with UMCOR Sudan staff on a consistent and continual basis
• Coordinates with the Finance Director to ensure cash installments from donors are requested in a timely manner in accordance with the grant’s dictate
• Trains staff on proposal development processes, needs assessments, site selection, objectives/indicators, log-frame, monitoring and evaluation
• Participates in projects monitoring and evaluation
• Other duties as may be assigned by the Head of Mission.

Funding Opportunity Responsibilities
• Develops and maintains relationships with key institutional donors in the field and at Khartoum and Juba levels;
• Assists HoMs with Country Program Design strategic planning;
• Prepares capacity and capability statements in sector areas of responsibilities;
• Liaises with donors in order to identify funding and make applications;
• Identifies, negotiates, and secures key sectoral prime and sub-award partners for proposal submissions, including international and local NGOs, contractors, CBOs, and FBOs; maintains ongoing relationships with key partners and develops new partners;
• Develops proposals and concepts according to appropriate guidelines; while project assessment, information gathering and design is conducted in the field, the GC ensures that all information required for a properly structured proposal is gathered and put into a comprehensive format acceptable to the donor;
• Liaises with the UMCOR HQ staff to allow for adequate HQ proposal review/approval prior to submission and to resolve proposal questions; and
• Analyzes proposal issue/rejection letters and conducts “lessons learned” evaluations with recommendations to improve grant capture rate.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Master’s degree in International Development or related field;
• At least 5 years of field experience with INGOs; experience and knowledge of developing countries especially in Africa is preferred;
• Familiarity with USAID regulations, strong background in program design and implementation, donor liaison and fund-raising are key requirements; and
• Successful past relations with international donors is critical.

KNOWLEDGE:
• Knowledge and ability to provide foreign and US Government grant oversight
• Understanding of operational budgeting to support proposal design and program activities
• Knowledge of USAID and Institutional Donor policies and procedures related to grant applications, grant management, monitoring and impact evaluation.

ABILITIES:
• Must possess highly developed organizational skills;
• A team player with good interpersonal, team building and representational skills;
• Ability to work in post conflict environment and drought affected regions with limited resources; and
• Ability to understand the cultural and political environment and to work well with local authorities in a diplomatic manner.

TO APPLY:
Please apply through our website http://jobs-mcor.icims.com/umcor_jobs/jobs/candidate/login.jsp?jobid=1334 by creating a profile, completing an application, related screening questions and uploading your resume and cover letter.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Applications received by September 9, 2011 will receive immediate review. This position will remain open until filled. No telephone inquiries please. We appreciate your interest in the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The United Methodist Committee on Relief, NGO is an Equal Opportunity Employer