Company Profile

Creative Associates International Inc. is a dynamic and fast-growing professional services firm that specializes in international development in the areas of education, democratic transitions and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Washington, DC, the firm has a field presence in 30 countries worldwide with a strong and diverse portfolio that includes global contracts with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other clients including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense. The firm has earned a solid reputation among its clients and missions worldwide and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike. 

Job Description

Accra, Ghana – Grants Officer
USAID West Africa Reacting to Early Warning and Response
Communities in Transition

Position Summary
Based in Accra, the Grants Officer Consultant will provide administrative and technical guidance and support to the Grants Manager and the Chief of Party on the design and implementation of grant applications, guidelines, and regulations for the small grants mechanism in Ghana. This is a six month consultancy position for USAID/West Africa’s Reacting to Early Warning and Response Data (REWARD) project.

Reporting & Supervision:
The Grants Officer Consultant will report to the Grants Manager, located in Accra, Ghana.

Primary Responsibilities
The Grants Officer Consultant will have principal responsibility for:

• Providing advisory assistance to NGO grant applicants in Ghana and assist the review of grant submissions.
• Analyzing and evaluating grant submissions for technical and budget soundness and compliance with USAID regulations, recommending award actions to the contract team;
• Coordinating the issuance of awards and maintain contract documentation through the upkeep of a small grants database; and
• Assisting with the preparation of scheduled and special reports, studies and analyses regarding the small grants program.
• Provide administrative and technical guidance and support to the Grants Manager on the design and implementation of grant applications, guidelines, and regulations for the small grants mechanism in Ghana.
• Support grant development and negotiation prior to the signing of grant agreements with grantees.
• Assist with the conduct and coordination of trainings and workshops in Ghana
• Identifying and providing recommendations for suitable local grantees
• Maintain strong working relations with grantees professionally and efficiently to ensure value for money, and to minimize the potential for fraud, corruption, inefficiency and waste.
• Conduct regular monitoring of grant implementation to track milestones, compliance, timelines and deliverables including through the analysis of Miles stones completions, periodic reports and provision of feedback to grantees, and regular site visits to grantee.
• Analyze grantee fund disbursement requests in a timely manner and make recommendations where necessary.
• Update and maintain project’s grantee database for Ghana
• Track and update project monitoring and evaluation indicators and data for Ghanaian sub-grantees and send information to Grants and M&E Managers.
• Other tasks as necessary and agreed upon

Required Skills or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in management, financial analysis or accounting desirable; Master’s degree preferred;
• At least three years’ experience with subgrants management, preferably in Ghana; minimum of three years working in international development;
• Solid understanding of USAID regulations and procedures pertaining to grants management;
• Demonstrated ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects;
• Ability to analyze technical and cost proposals and prepare reports and recommendations on whether or not applicants should be funded;
• Ability to analyze budget line items for compliance with budget guidelines;
• Proven records maintenance and database management skills;
• Speaking, writing and reading fluency in English and local languages of Ghana.

Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.