Director, Grants & Innovation, Kenya Private Sector

Project Overview and Role:Palladium isseeking a Director, for Grants Innovation for an anticipated USAID-fundedeconomic growth program which is anticipated to begin in . The USAID/Kenyaand East Africa Feed the Future (FtF) Private Sector Activity (PSA) will be a5-year program focused on accelerating agriculture-led growth in Kenya throughpartnerships with large agricultural sector firms (such as processors andoff-takers) and expansion of smallholder farmer out-grower schemes. Theanticipated activity will focus on creating jobs and generating large scaleincreases in sales/exports in the agriculture sector cost-effectively and,ideally, through a sustainable and locally-led vehicle. The activity would combine tools used inUSAID’s traditional private sector development activities with tools used tomobilize finance and investment into one mechanism – supporting a range ofagricultural firms to expand investments and operations via a blended financeapproach. For more information on the potential project, please consult theRFI: .Duration: 5 years (anticipated start in July)Location: Nairobi, Kenya Primary Duties and Responsibilities: Oversee grants administration, compliance and implementation procedures, and ensure compliance with USAID grants regulations, including procurement regulations Lead and coordinate technical design of innovative grants approaches to meet the technical strategies of the Inclusive Business Model, Financial Institutions and Business Advisory Service Providers teamsDesign and conduct grants solicitation and advertisements utilizing Palladium’s Pay for Results methodologiesOversee grants commitments, taking into account probability-weighted pipelines and other tools to manage grant agreements against obligated amountsEnsure design of grants are aligned with the project’s technical strategy and results-based methodology and in compliance with USAID rules and regulationsOversee pre-award risk assessments of granteesIn accordance with Palladium’s USAID-approved Grants Under Contract (GUC) manual, develop and execute all aspects of the GUC process, including development of the GUC manualDesign and prepare Grant Review Guidelines for evaluators, including scoring formats Convene the Grant Committee Meetings, lead negotiations with applicants, and prepare the Memorandum of Negotiations and Responsibility Determination Statement, awards and execution Negotiate, in collaboration with Palladium HQ, grant terms and agreements, with potential granteesConduct grants tracking and reporting, ensuring timely usage of grants funds as per annual work plans and coordinating issue resolution with other teamsIssue instructions and provide guidance to grantees for the Branding and Marking Plan and Monitoring and Evaluation of grant implementation practices Direct and oversee grants close out and final reporting Other tasks as deemed necessary Required Qualifications:Knowledge of USAID grants policies, procedures, and reporting requirements Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance or a related field in international business management, finance, accounting and/or auditing experience.Experience in managing grants under contract for USAID-funded programs of a similar sizeExperience in managing innovation grants, performance-based grants, or other mechanisms to algin performance incentives with an activity’s strategic objectivesPrior experience in a management role on a USAID funded program highly desiredexperience managing staffDemonstrated experience coordinating and collaborating with various stakeholders and grant awardeesKnowledge of blended finance preferredAdvanced knowledge of computers and MS ExcelLocal Kenyan candidates are preferredWritten and oral proficiency in English required