Grants Administrator at Palladium

• Act as the first point of contact for applicants, managing all day to day communication
• Work in collaboration with the Grants Team (comprised of a Grants Lead, Grants Manager and other officers) throughout the grant implementation to perform Due Diligence on potential grantees such that the team can take the necessary care, attention and discretion prior signing grant agreements and during the implementation. These include:
  • Ensuring adequate and transparent governance structures, and robust and reliable financial internal controls.
  • Assessing the capacity of grantees and subcontractors to effectively implement actions to strengthen their administrative and financial management systems.
  • Identifying projects in extreme risk markets that require enhanced due diligence.
  • Collating and verifying all documents received (e.g. references, background checks, etc.)
• Confirming eligibility of grantees. Perform formal evaluation of each application.
• Review all proposed budgets and project activities during the proposal stage to assess each applicant’s capacity to utilise budgets in the project time frame and ensure that all budgets are compliant with the guidelines set for the round.
• Review final work plans, evidence requirements and budgets with successful applicants, taking into account any conditions imposed by the Panel.
• Contribute to and prepare the grant allocation, disbursements, and forecast schedules, as required. (the GSMA will be responsible for processing payment to grantees).
• Contribute to training all grantees on the grant reporting requirements and the use of the reporting templates.
• Obtain and review evidence submitted by grantees as proof of milestone achievement.
• Contribute to identifying risks and maintaining a risk dashboard at portfolio level highlighting potential risks and issues and mitigation plans for each grant.
• Support in coordinating monthly portfolio review meeting with GSMA team and provide updates including on the risk dashboard.
• Review grantee’s quarterly financial reporting including the supporting documents for grant project expenditure (grant & match funded) incurred in the quarter.
• Carry out Midway & Final Spot Checks for grantees during grant implementation
• Contribute to reviewing grantreports to ensure accuracy and completion of activities and KPIs against proposals, timelines and project plans, and request additional information if necessary.
• Contribute to the provision and maintenance of portfolio level report per round with analysis on the financial status of each grantee, project progress, and highlighting potential risks (including delays) to the GSMA.
• Maintain relevant filing for key documents. Archive all grant-related documents and share with the GSMA
• Collect end of grant reports (project and financial).
• Work with team members in the preparation and completion of financial audits as required.
• Write overall assessment of the grant; provide feedback to grantees.

Relationship Management: 

• Develop and manage strong working relationships with the project’s contact points with the grantees, the GSMA, project partners and other stakeholders.
• Represent the project both with the client, and external audiences as needed
• Develop strong working relationships and a regular dialogue on project progress and challenges with the Palladium team working on the project.

Training:

• Provide necessary training, capacity building and information to grantees to enable compliance with the financial accounting, reporting and procurement requirements of their funding agreements.

Other Duties:

• Performing any other duties reasonably required by the Grants Manager.

Required Qualifications:

• Recent experience in a grants/funding or international development role
• Demonstrated financial acumen and experience with budget or project management
• Strong attention to detail and diligent approach to compliance matters
• Experience supporting Managers and Senior Managers in project delivery
• A positive team work ethic, and supportive attitude
• Experience communicating with different audiences/stakeholders. Fluency in English is essential.
• Fluency in French is desirable but not a requirement.
• Interest in International Development and/or Digital Technology Development would be an advantage.
• Confident working with IT systems, including databases and Microsoft Excel.

Deadline: Not specified.