Grants & Procurement Specialist at RTI International: (Deadline 6 November 2023)

Overview

Project Description 

RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute providing research, development, and technical services to government and commercial clients worldwide. The Food Security and Agriculture division within the International Development Group is implementing the Feed the Future Rwanda Kungahara Wagura Amasoko boost economic growth by facilitating increased high value agricultural export.

Kungahara Wagura Amasoko applies a market systems approach supporting Government of Rwanda, the Private Sector and Civil Societies to fulfill their mandates and align incentives to promote investment. Focusing on 13 districts, the project aims to foster an inclusive and resilient environment in which high-value agricultural export businesses can thrive. This is being achieved through 2 key objectives (i) facilitating an inclusive and resilient policy and regulatory environment and (ii) supporting local actors to attract investment.

Job Summary: (Summarize in a paragraph)

The Grants and Procurement Specialist will provide technical assistance, support and review all grants generated by the Feed the Future Rwanda Kungahara Wagura Amasoko (FTF KWA) Project in Rwanda.

The incumbent of this position will have to administrate the FTF KWA program following Rwanda, RTI and USAID norms and procedures and is responsible for preparing reports as well as quarterly accrual reports for KWA Project.

This position will provide support to the COP, DCOP and Municipalities, and will be supervised by the Finance and Operations Director.

Responsibilities

Grants:

• Participate in grants management process & subcontracts for local organizations, including grant proposal tracking, review, and approval process.
• Maintain financial management files for grants and ensure audit trail for all necessary grant documentation.
• Maintain grant trackers for the pipeline and payment projections for grant management and fund disbursements; ensure trackers are updated and accurate on a weekly basis.
• Provide support during audit exercise.
• Monitor grants and procurement tracker on a daily basis.
• Support the Grants Manager to administer the Rwanda FTF KWA Grants Fund through day-to-day monitoring of all grant activities from fund set-up to closeout.
• Ensure all grants are administered in compliance with USAID policies and procedures, FTF KWA contract requirements, RTI policies, and other regulations.
• Ensure timely communication with potential grantees and suppliers with a customer service focus.
• Ensure timely financial disbursements and compliance with grants financial management policies, monitor all grant expenses, and provide regular updates on grant status.
• Support the Grants Manager to provide technical assistance as required to build the capacity of local partners, grantees and project staff in grants management and procurement.
• Prepare the request funds disbursements to grantees & subcontractors, paying close attention to targets, program progress, and projections.

Procurement:

• Contribute to the supply chain management efforts up to and including logistical support from the ordering point through the follow-up, expediting, and delivery of the required goods and/or services.
• Prepare RFQ(s) for assigned procurements such as materials, equipment, commodities, and services.
• Understand and ensure compliance with legal guidelines, Federal Export Control (if applicable), contracting principles, sourcing and price/cost analysis requirements.
• Conduct cycle inventory reconciliation and conduct planned inventory and post spraying inventory exercise and maintain updated asset and inventory records for FTF KWA.
• Manage and track the procurement goods and services for the project and grantees in compliance with approved procurement plans to ensure best value and within required lead times for a variety of requirements in Rwanda. Obtains technical input on specifications, costs, and quality.
• Effectively negotiate with suppliers on a wide variety of commodities (e.g., agricultural technologies, office equipment, vehicles) and services for the best overall value to the project and to manage the project’s procurement budget.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business Administration or relevant field and 6 years of experience or Bachelor’s Degree and 8 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 5years of experience supporting operations of grant programs is required.
• Prior experience with USAID-funded projects is highly desired.

Skills & Abilities 

Skills and abilities required to perform the essential job duties of this job are listed below. An addendum that clarifies additional skills and abilities for incumbents in this job may be used in addition to this description.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is required to obtain and transmit information to municipalities.  Ability to plan, develop, manage, and evaluate projects of the scope and complexity describe above is required.
• A very good knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques, and practices of the professional field of specialization indicated.  Knowledge of the municipalities finance, perspectives, objectives and priorities. Knowledge of Rwanda regulations. Availability to travel.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Interested candidates should submit their detailed CV, a cover letter detailing their interest in the role and relevant qualifications, and copies of degree from a recognized academic institution.

Applications should be submitted not later than November 6th, 2023.