Job Detail

Roots of Peace is a humanitarian organization whose mission is to rid the world of landmines and other remnants of war by transforming toxic minefields into thriving farmland and communities, through a focus on sustainable, organic farming practices. Roots of Peace is implementing the 3-year, USAID-funded Agriculture Marketing Program.

AMP Project Description:

The Agriculture Marketing Program (AMP) is a three-year USAID-funded program that follows on the successes of the ten-year USAID Commercial Horticulture and Agricultural Marketing Program (CHAMP). The program works in 12 provinces of Afghanistan, focusing on increasing farm production and domestic sales through interventions aimed at farmers and agribusinesses. During the first two years of the program, AMP worked with leading Afghan processing and export firms to increase export volumes and values, introduce new agricultural products to the market, diversify export markets and increase value-added processing. The program's market-based, demand-driven approach focused on supporting private sector growth and sustainability, thereby creating demand for agricultural products that drive job growth in rural areas. Women are incorporated into all areas of program implementation.

In its final fiscal year of implementation, AMP has pivoted to an approach that addresses food security challenges precipitated by the emerging economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. This approach comprises three key strategies:

1. Connecting Farmers to Domestic Markets
2. Increasing Value-Add of Agriculture Products, Extending Shelf Life of Products
3. Support for Remote Rural Areas

Activities include:

• Increasing farm productivity and food security through Farmer Field Schools and other activities aimed at building farm capacity.
• Expanding the number of agricultural products through value addition and product diversification, such as processed jams and sulfur dried apricots.
• Linking farmers with traders, and traders with buyers in domestic markets, such as through domestic food expos and B2B meetings.
• Building the capacity of agribusinesses to maximize output and quality for domestic markets.
• Supporting initiatives such as improved post-harvest handling infrastructure for traders, including packing houses, cold storage, and improved packaging.
• Addressing important supply chain and trade impediments that restrict the sale of high value agriculture products.

AMP works primarily with private sector agribusinesses, farm producers and other USAID-funded agricultural programs. Specific attention is given to support the participation of women and youth in AMP activities.

Senior Grants Specialist is responsible for grants management and will develop and execute grants management strategies to achieve the Project targets. The Senior Grants Specialist is responsible for ensuring all Project procurement and subcontracting activities are achieved according to Project deadlines and in compliance with donor rules and regulations. S/he takes the lead in all issues related to grants management for the related project, under the supervision of the COP.  He/she will oversee the administration of all types of grants, including submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI), pre-applications conferences, pre-award, post-award, the day-to-day management and close out of the grants program. The  Snr. Grants Specialist  will work closely with the Finance &  Procurement departments . The  Snr Grants Specialist , in reviewing the grant applications, proposals, contracts, sub-contracts, and the documents, will perform due diligence work to ensure current grants are aligned with donor compliance and make recommendations, as needed.

Task & Responsibilities

• Adhere to the ROP Grants Manual, to establish Project specific policies and procedures for the issuance and management of different types of grants, including developing/adapting templates, procedures, and regulations to be used for formulating, negotiating, obtaining approvals, executing, monitoring, processing funds request, ensuring compliance with the award documents, modifying and closing the grants according to the organization/donor regulations;
• Where appropriate, assist the grantees/GPNs in developing the work plans, budgets, monitoring progress, tracking expenses, preparing reports, and following up on grantees’ complaints with the terms of their agreements;
• As needed, conduct field visits to monitor grantee implementation of activities. Ensure that implementation of activities is in accordance with the donor and ROP regulations.
• Review and analyze grant budget estimates for allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and consistency.
• Manage and support the grants requirement and implementation for the organization.
• Develop complete grant packages with the required back-up documentation for each grant (i.e., In-kind Grants, Fixed-Award Amount, and combinations of these grants etc.) and work with DCOP/COP and Finance Director  to obtain the required Contracts Management Services (CMS) and UNDP Approval.
• Draft for review and signature pre- and post-award documents (i.e., grants applications/proposal, contracts, plans/justifications, pre-award).
• Establish and maintain a proper filing system to maintain a complete record of all types of grants issued by the project in the field.
• Establish and maintain proper contracts tracker, processes, documentation, and monitor and record budget and payment information and contract deliverables.
• Routinely review and verify grantees’ statements of expenditures to ensure the accuracy of sub-grant-related data and assist in preparing spending status for each sub-grantee on a schedule determined by the COP.
• Assist in the preparation/modification of sub-grantee budgets, keeping a track record of any changes during the award period.
• Create correspondence to grant applicants and grantees as necessary.
• Prepare reports and participate in the review of grant applications.
• Request final reports from grantees if reports have not been filed in a timely manner.
• Oversee the preparation and timely submission of grant applications/proposal, contracts amendments, and budget transfers.
• Compile and evaluate price and / or cost data with all elements of cost in contractor proposals and making competitive range determinations.
• Provide regular updates on the status of implementation of subcontracts to DCOP and COP.
• Report consistent and accurate financial data on sub-contract activities.
• Other responsibilities and tasks as assigned by Project leadership.
• Financial and Risk Management related to institutional grants