Jobs and Careers

TERM: 

Full-time

JOB DESCRIPTION: 

The Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC), is looking for a Grant Scheme Manager (locally contracted, full-time, f/m) for the project “Local Empowerment of Actors for Development in Shirak Province of Armenia (LEAD4Shirak)”. The Project worth 4.5 Mio. Euros will be implemented over a period of 48 months. To support the ADC Office for Technical Cooperation in Yerevan (OTC) in ensuring a successful implementation of this Project, ADA is recruiting an experienced Grant Scheme Manager for a maximum of 34 months starting in December 2021.
Under the overall supervision of the International Project Team Leader the incumbent will contribute for the delivery of Output 4 and Output 5. The Grant Scheme Manager will be in charge to establish an appropriate and efficient grant scheme management system for local projects from various project promotors under the Local Development Strategy developed by local partnerships (Local Action Groups). The Grant Scheme Manager will be responsible for the correct use of available funds and the implementation of respective control and verification processes regarding the grant scheme support. He/ she will support the setup of the financial reporting system between LAGs and project promotors as well as the LAGs and the LEAD4Shirak Project.
The Grant Scheme Manager will develop grant application packages. He/ she will support the LEAD4Shirak team in planning and carrying out information campaigns regarding the development of local projects and preparing applications for funding. The Grant Scheme Manager will also prepare training materials and deliver trainings for team members, LAG management and potential applicants regarding the application and funding process.
This position is based in the project office in Gyumri with frequent trips to Shirak marz (province) communities.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

- Establish an efficient and correct grant scheme management system regarding the delivery of grant support for local projects compliant to EU and ADA regulations;
- Design the finance reporting system between the LEAD4Shirak Project, Local Action Groups (LAGs) and the final beneficiaries of the grant scheme support;
- Consider the legal status of LAGs when designing the grant scheme management system;
- Develop and lead work processes regarding the application submission, processing, controls (administrative and on the spot), payment claim processing and execution of payments;
- Elaborate a sound system for the authorization and execution of payments as well as payment accounting and regular reporting to the senior finance manager;
- Develop application packages for applying for funds including application form, list of justifying documents, simple business plans;
- Develop guidelines for applicant with practical examples in user-friendly manner;
- Establish a price reference system to check submitted cost items for funding against market prices;
- Develop and review procurement of good and services from grant beneficiaries;
- Develop trainings and training material for potential applicants and LAGs;
- Deliver train-the trainer approach to build capacity of Project team members, specifically for field advisors, and LAGs to support the information dissemination to applicants on the grant scheme;
- Draft and prepare the approved grant agreements for further proceeding in close cooperation with the Finance Manager;
- Ensure regular monitoring and controlling of the awarded grants together with the Field Advisors;
- Review the narrative and financial reports from the grant recipients and recommend corrective actions;
- Exchange information with the twin project LEAD4 Lori and Tavush on best practices and lessons learnt from the grant scheme management;
- Recommend necessary adjustments in grant scheme management in line with EU and ADA regulations;
- Effectively liaise with the project stakeholders and grant scheme beneficiaries;
- Ensure compliance with ADA’s Environmental, Gender and Social Impact Management (EGSIM) Manual regarding the grant scheme management;
- Regularly monitor the risks related to grant management like incorrect use of funds, failures of funded projects, etc;
- Support the drafting of regular project reports;
- Carry out any other duties as required by the Supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

- University degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or other related field; post-graduate degree (master level or higher) is an asset;
- At least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in the management of grant schemes of development programmes and projects of similar scope and nature; experience under an EU-funded schemes is an asset;
- Good understanding of sound financial management and disbursement of funds;
- Work experience with small-scaled projects from rural project promoters is an advantage;
- Understanding of LEADER/CLLD methodology and local development combined with proven ability of applying these principles;
- Sound understanding of donor procedures and rules applicable to funding received from large institutional donors, in particular with European Union external actions;
- Understanding of international development cooperation principles and quality standards, including cross-cutting issues is highly desirable;
- Proven management skills;
- Good written and oral communication/ reporting, presentation skills in English language; knowledge of German language would be an advantage;
- Demonstrated gender, diversity and environmental competence, ability to integrate the gender perspective into tasks and activity;
- Full proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint applications;
- Ability and willingness to travel within Shirak and work flexible hours;
- Excellent interpersonal/ social and communication skills;
- Adherence to the highest standards of ethics and integrity;
- Valid driving license (category B); mechanical gear is an asset;
- Self-motivation, decisiveness and hands-on mentality;
- Ability to meet tight deadlines;
- Ability to work in multinational and multicultural environment.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: 

Interested candidates are welcome to send a cover letter and CV, as well as other relevant documents to: ******.***********@***.**.** with the subject line “LEAD4Shirak - Grant Scheme Manager”.
ADA retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration. Women are particularly encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence and no application fees or information with respect to bank account details are required by ADA for our recruitment process. Please note that in the event of an invitation for an interview, ADA is unable to reimburse costs incurred. Candidates must expect that references from previous employers will be requested by ADA. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. No phone calls please.

Please clearly mention in your application letter that you learned of this announcement through Career Center and mention the URL of its website - www.careercenter.am. Thanks.

REMUNERATION/ SALARY: 

The minimum salary for this position depends on qualification and experience and is based on a full-time employment.

ABOUT: 

The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) has been delegated by the European Union (EU) to implement a strategic project focusing on development of Local Empowerment of Actors for Development in Shirak province of Armenia (LEAD4Shirak). The overall objective of the action is “to promote inclusive and sustainable growth and improved livelihoods of rural population in Shirak marz through support to community-driven local development initiatives and partnerships" by focusing on the following specific objectives:
Specific Objective 1: A sustainable mechanism for mobilizing local actors for development according to the EU LEADER approach is set up in Shirak marz;
Specific Objective 2: The implementation of community needs-based projects according to the EU LEADER approach has been supported in Shirak marz.

The Project envisages achievement of the following results:
Output 1: The regulatory framework and delivery system for CLLD/LEADER are effective in Shirak marz;
Output 2: At least 2 representative Local Action Groups (LAGs) have been established and are operational;
Output 3: Local stakeholders in two LAGs have elaborated an inclusive, gender-sensitive and sustainable multi-annual community-driven Local Development Strategy (LDS) and an Implementation Plan (IP) that represents the needs, interests and potentials of the local population;
Output 4: Local economic and social initiatives and innovations have been supported based on the priorities set up in the LDS and according to the grant and support scheme;
Output 5: LAGs and local stakeholders have been involved in lively exchanges, capitalising on the CLLD/LEADER approach and furthering its sustainable anchoring in the institutional fabric of Armenia.