I. Job Title. Grants Specialist

II. Project Name and Scope. USAID IPA is a five-year project with an aim to strengthen Pakistan’s business enabling environment and build the capacities of Pakistani institutions which are focused on investment promotion activities especially related to improving the ecosystem for foreign direct investment (FDI), and, most importantly, to increase the bilateral trade and investment between the United States and Pakistan.

The IPA Fund has a prime objective to buy down risk of firms registered in Pakistan through grants to support trade & investment deals, leverage Pakistani private sector investment (PSI) to support FDI and increase U.S.- Pakistan bilateral trade/investment. The IPA Fund supports firms to scale-up their business solutions through innovative approaches to improve business processing standards. The IPA Fund encourages that its funds are mobilized to benefit women and youth as well.

III. Position Classification. Long-Term Local Professional Staff.

IV. Estimated Duration of Assignment and Location. Long-term. Duration of IPA contract, this position will be based in Islamabad, Pakistan.

V. Reporting Responsibilities.  Ultimate day to day field supervision and authority for all project personnel and all aspects of project activities rests with the Chief of Party or his designee, and in the Chemonics headquarters, with the project management unit (PMU) Director. The individual holding this position shall take no managerial or technical direction from any individual who is not formally employed in the chain of command between the individual and the Chief of Party, the Chief of Party’s designee, or the PMU Director.

For all routine responsibilities and technical duties, either directly or indirectly related to this position description, the individual holding this position shall directly to, and be supervised by the Senior Grants Manager.

VI. Position Objective and Specific Tasks.

The Grants Specialist will be responsible for assisting in designing and executing rounds of calls for grants based on themes as per the project work plan. The Grants Specialist responsibilities will range from providing support in technical design, financial management and administration to mentoring, provision of technical assistance, research and advocacy for grant program rounds.  

As directed by the Senior Grants Manager, the Grants Specialist shall perform the following functions:  

• Assist in managing the competitive process for the different rounds of program grants, from solicitation to close out; including proposal screening and selection of grantees.
• Assist in managing the grants process including assessment and oversight, with a strong emphasis on due diligence, value-for-money and cost effectiveness.
• Screen and appraise grantee applications for funding from a concept note stage, followed by, if successful, by a full proposal. The grants team must ensure that appropriate due diligence is carried out on grantees’ to assess whether their policies adhere to USAID requirements. Due diligence checks will include assessment of financial management and accounting practices and systems, environmental protection, etc.
• Work with the MEL team to ensure that USAID specified objectives of the grants program are measurable and reported at all stages.
• Draft periodic reports/ well-articulated success stories on the grant program rounds for the project management as well as the donors.
  • Perform other duties as required or assigned by Senior Grants Manager, the Chief of Party, or the PMU which are consistent with the qualifications, scope of work and general requirements of IPA.
• Conduct all business in a manner that respects local culture.
•  Always maintain high ethical standards, avoiding any actual or perceived conflicts of interest
• Abide by all local laws, USAID regulations, and US Embassy/USAID project directive.

• Contribute to the technical and financial implementation of the IPA Fund by taking lead on post award aspects of grants as per the approved grant agreements and grants manual.
• Prepare monthly grants tracker and work on projections and variances and grant modifications.
• Coordinate with the grantees and provide feedback to Sr. Manager regarding grantee progress as per the agreed milestones/agreements.
• Identify and report potential problems/issues which might affect grantee’s ability to achieve milestones or targets on time. Where required prepare a corrective action plan for grantee.
• Work with the finance team to ensure the timely release of grant payments to grantees.

VII. Policy and Procedures.  With respect to all policies and procedures related to this position, written guidance in the form of the Project’s Field Personnel and Operations Policy Manual will be issued and updated from time to time that will clarify, modify, and/or establish Project policies and procedures that govern either directly or indirectly the duties and responsibilities of this position.  It is incumbent upon all Project employees to stay apprised of all policies and procedures in the Project’s Field Personnel and Operations Policy Manual, as updated. In addition, should at any time the individual holding this position shall be unclear as to the meaning of any policy and/or procedure presented in these files, or any verbal instructions given by the employee’s supervisor, the employee has the right to request written clarification from the Chief of Party or his/her designee.  By signing below, the individual holding this position confirms that the individual has read and understands the Project’s Field Personnel and Operations Policy Manual, as updated.

VIII. Educational Requirements and Qualifications.  The individual holding this position shall possess the following:

A. Qualifications.

• Master’s degree/equivalent to Master’s Degree or higher related to finance, business administration, economics, or commerce
• At least 7-8 years of experience in managing donor-funded, large-scale grants program design and administration
• Preference given to candidates with USAID grants experience
• Applicants with experience in private sector lead economic growth initiatives will be given preference
• Ability to perform successfully as a member of a multiple project-related teams
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills
• Strong computer literacy skills required in word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, web browsers, and email
• Strong commitment to Chemonics values including integrity
• Ability to foster and demonstrate a workplace inclusive of creating opportunity, serving others, building trust, innovation, and exceeding expectations
• Advanced English and Fluent Urdu required; other Pakistani languages preferred

IX. Authorized Workday/week

The work week shall conform to the work week in Pakistan which starts on Monday and concludes at the end of the day, Friday.

In the intreset of time, applications will be reviewed and processed on a rolling basis.