RTI International is an independent organization dedicated to conducting innovative, multidisciplinary research that improves the human condition. With a worldwide staff of more than 4,000 people, RTI offers innovative research and development and a full spectrum of multidisciplinary services. Universities in North Carolina founded RTI in 1958 as a centerpiece of the Research Triangle Park.
RTI is currently seeking to fill vacancies for the Kenya Crops & Dairy Market Systems (KCDMS) Activity which is part of the Feed the Future program, America’s initiative to combat global hunger and poverty.
In this regard, USAID is partnering with RTI International on a 5-year cooperative agreement (KCDMS Activity) to help increase agricultural production and reduce poverty and malnutrition in Kenya. The project will also spur competitive, resilient market systems in Kenya’s horticulture and dairy sectors.
We are currently seeking applications for the following positions:
Grants Coordinators – Wote and Kisumu based
(2 Positions for each location)
The Grants Coordinators are responsible for the management of the KCDMS Grant Program in 12 counties of operations in Kenya.
They will develop Request for Application (RFA) packages and manage the competitive selection process; Provide guidance and training to grantees; Perform pre-award surveys of potential grantees to assess financial, program, and organizational capabilities; Maintain grants information management system; Reconcile financial and technical reports; Conduct monitoring visits; and ensure all grants are closed out
appropriately.
appropriately.
Key Responsibilities
Pre-Award Management
· Support in the various stages of the competitive selection process of grantees until completion
· Carry out pre-award assessments for prospective grantees to assess financial, program, and organizational capabilities
· Work with selected grantees to ensure budgets are in line with programmatic, cost and KCDMS project priorities
· Prepare grant award documents for approval, this will include: grant agreements, budgets and negotiation memorandums
Post-Award Management
· Prepare cash requests for all grants ensuring amounts requested are reasonable and within approved budgets
· Review financial reports from grantees to ensure financial compliance against approved grant budgets
· Conduct regular disbursements and expenditure reconciliations with Finance Office to ensure grant and finance records are up to date
· Conduct site visits and giving feedback to grantees as appropriate on areas that requires improvement in their systems and procedures
· Track on a regular basis all questioned and disallowed costs and follow-up on resolution of the same
· Identify grantee financial training needs and provide technical assistance where needed and assist in developing training materials and resources for RTI International
· Maintain and update hard copy grant and work process files. The files should be clearly labelled and organized for ease of reference
· Maintain the Concept note and business proposal (CNBP) tracker
Close-Out
· Ensure that all project advances and commitments are liquidated, and outstanding advances cleared for all grants
· Prepare relevant close-out documents for approval by the Grants Manager to include, close-out checklist, letters and modifications to de-obligate residual funds where applicable
· Work with the grantees to ensure that all inventory/disposition documentation or in-kind acknowledgement forms are obtained on close-out of all grants as applicable
· Ensure grantees submit final project reports and documents
· Ensure that all grantees’ expenses are correctly coded for booking
· Coordinate to ensure that grantees financial records are properly labeled and filed
· Assist in review of grantees invoices/reports
· Assist in ensuring that financial policy and procedures are followed by grantees
· Carry out financial reviews for the grantees reports
· Contribute to monitoring and evaluation, learning, and reporting and provide technical oversight and support all data tracking by the in M&E staff of the sub-grantees with particular attention to Grants Management
· Contribute to Social Inclusion activities in line with Grants Management
Any other duties as assigned
Qualifications
· A university degree, in BCOM/ Business management. Master’s degree is an added advantage
· Qualifications and/or experience in project accounting, audit and grants management
· 3 years professional experience in Grant Management, preferably with USAID
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Social Inclusion Coordinator
Kisumu Based
(1 Position)
The Social Inclusion Coordinator in collaboration with marketing and production systems units will coordinate and participate in the Implementation of the KCDMS marketing and production strategy and ensure that women, youth and other marginalized groups benefit equally from the KCDMS Activity.
S/he will be responsible for ensuring implementation of marketing and production programs and will collaborate with other members of the project team to scale up activities to promote and meet the needs of women, youth and other vulnerable populations.
Key Responsibilities
· Coordinate and work with component teams to integrate women, youth and other marginalized groups in project activities especially marketing and production systems
· Work closely with the M & E unit in the respective regions to ensure that social inclusion data is collected, and all assessment/analysis information is used to manage project implementation
· Support the development of targeted social inclusion (women & youth) capacity building interventions through identification of BDS support, mentoring and coaching of youth led and women led agribusinesses
· Identify, develop and facilitate implementation of strategies to increase understanding among young people and women about profitable business opportunities across entire value chains, reducing stigma and misconceptions about entering the agricultural sector.
· Participate and contribute to project activities organized by other components and ensure full participation and integration of women and youth in those activities including B2B meetings, field days, policy dialogues, etc.
· Facilitate and Support development of youth led and women led agribusiness database to facilitate implementation of Social inclusion interventions and strategies
· Support project, county staff, and implementing partners in their understanding of social inclusion strategies in the market system; and ensure all activities incorporate appropriate inclusion considerations
· In liaison with Regional Manager, develop relationships and collaborate with other USAID funded programs working on mainstreaming women and youth in market systems and agricultural value chain projects in the areas of coverage
· Assist private sector partners in developing and implementing social inclusion into their activities through the KCDMS activity
· Collect and share learnings, success stories and best practices related to social inclusion in market systems
· Participate and contribute towards program surveys, assessments, reviews and reporting while ensuring social inclusion considerations
· Represent the social inclusion component in meetings and stakeholder forums within the project coverage area
· Compile weekly, and quarterly reports
· Support Nutrition sub component at the regional level
· Contribute to grants management with particular attention to social inclusion
· Contribute to monitoring and evaluation, learning, and reporting and provide technical oversight and support all data tracking by the in M&E staff of the sub-grantees with attention to social inclusion
· Any other duties as assigned
Qualifications
· Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Agricultural Economics or Agribusiness with 6 years’ experience.
· Master’s degree in the same field will be an added advantage
· Minimum of 3 years’ experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in mainstreaming social inclusion, working with women and youth in development programs
· Experience in social inclusion activities is an added advantage
· Experience in marketing and production systems will be an added advantage
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Finance Specialist
Nairobi Based
1 Position
The Finance Specialist 1 is responsible for coordinating grants and accounting procedures of the KCDMS Activity.
S/he supports the project by working closely with the Finance and Grants teams. S/he is aware of, and adheres to USAID’s and RTI’s financial, procurement and grants procedures. S/he will be expected to undertake other finance related activities within the department.
Key Responsibilities
Under the direction of the Senior Accountant, the Finance Specialist will:
· Provides leadership to Grants management process and payables
· Review expenses and reports before they are booked into QuickBooks
· Respond to and perform audit functions for the grantees
· Perform budget Vs expenses analysis
· Any other duty as may be assigned
Qualifications
· Master’s degree with at least 1-year relevant experience or Bachelor’s degree with at least 3 years’ experience
· CPA qualification or equivalent required
· Prior grants, audit and budget management experience is required
· Project accounting, auditing and budget proposal preparation will be an added advantage
How to Apply
To apply, please email your cover letter and CV to hrapplications@nb.rti.org by 28th December 2018.
Applicants must include the POSITION TITLE and PREFERRED LOCATION in the subject line of the email.
Please do not attach copies of certificates.
We regret that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Please Note: RTI International does not use agents or require any form of payment in the recruitment process.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V
