The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) enables governments and empowers people to reform laws and strengthen institutions to promote peace, justice, sustainable development, and economic opportunity. We contribute to creating stable and inclusive societies where every person can live free from fear and want, in dignity and under the rule of law.

Reporting to the Field Project Manager, SAJNA, the Grants Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day activities of the SAJNA Grants team and will take the lead in designing, planning, supporting, and monitoring the implementation of IDLO’s (sub)grants. This will include (but will not be limited to) facilitating cooperation between project, core, and operations teams, and ensuring that contracts and deadlines are efficiently managed and that the deliverables of implementing partners (IPs) and grantees are accurately tracked and in compliance with IDLO and donor rules.

Functions / Key results expected

Summary of Functions:

• Plan and execute the grantmaking process.
• Ensure timely and quality monitoring and reporting of (sub)grants.
• Manage the SAJNA Grants team.
• Any other relevant tasks requested by the supervisor.

Key results expected:

Plan and execute the grantmaking process.

• Ensure compliance with IDLO’s policies and procedures, including its Guidelines and Toolkit of templates, workflows, and business processes for working with implementing partners or (sub)grantees.
• Act as the primary point of contact between the Country Office and the implementing partners or (sub)grantees as relates to sub-grant management, compliance, and reporting.
• Ensure close collaboration with the Program Coordination Unit (PCU) throughout the sub-grant management process.
• Ensure all communications, records, and supporting documentation from implementing partners and (sub)grantees are properly kept.
• Facilitate the drafting of Call for Concept Note(s) or similar, ensuring they respond to assessed justice needs and are in line with the SAJNA project’s objectives.
• By well-defined criteria, support the selection of the implementing partner or (sub)grantee, including by conducting the sanctions due diligence and facilitating any organizational assessment as needed.

• Liaising with relevant units within IDLO, support the drafting of the sub-grant agreement; facilitate any budget reallocations and/or amendments.
• Lead on assigned project events and deliverables, as tasked by the Field Project Manager (including planning, budgeting, execution, and reporting on tasks).
• Ensure collaboration and coordination amongst local partners to share lessons learned and best practices.

Ensure timely and quality monitoring and reporting of (sub)grants.

• Review project documents, correspondence, reports, and work products for quality and relevance for approval by the Field Project Manager to support disbursements to the implementing partners or (sub)grantees.

• Ensure project deliverables meet quality standards and proactively seek input from relevant core teams and internal experts.
• In coordination with the Field Project Manager, collaborate and communicate regularly with the Finance team to build accurate financial forecasts, including reviewing financial reports identifying areas of over- or under-spending, and flagging any urgent budgetary issues.
• Work closely with the Monitoring and Reporting team to track relevant indicators.
• Support the partners in their reporting requirements.
• Draft, collect, and provide input to weekly, quarterly, and annual reports as well as other types of reports or internal briefings as requested.
• Facilitate the regular review of and update of the work plan and the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plan in cooperation with the Field Project Manager and the Monitoring and Reporting team.
• Identify and report difficulties or possible changes in the funding strategy, objectives, results, or activities to the Field Project Manager and make recommendations for timely and optimal course corrections.
• As needed, undertake site visits to monitor sub-grant implementation.
• Support the evaluation and audit of implementing partners and (sub)grantees if necessary.

Manage the SAJNA Grants team

• Lead Grants team members effectively by providing clear direction, addressing staff development, and performance management through ongoing dialogue and mentoring to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively, and efficiently to ensure quality delivery, high performance, and staff well-being.
• Ensure fair and efficient distribution of tasks and manage absences and approvals.
• Address possible conflicts positively and constructively; encourage initiative and maintain effective working relationships.

• Motivate and support team members to foster a teamwork approach in meeting objectives and goals, in particular with project, core, and operations teams.

Impact of results

The Grants Manager will work in close coordination with the Project Team Manager and the Field Project Manager to manage the grants team and the planning, implementation, monitoring, and oversight of (sub)grants under the SAJNA project. The Grants Manager will be instrumental in ensuring that the Grants team operates efficiently and nurtures a collaborative team dynamic.  The Grants Manager will work with HQ colleagues, as well as across the Country Office to ensure the project is successfully communicated to all internal and external national stakeholders and that these stakeholders are ready and motivated to collaborate and attain the project outcomes and goals, in line with the agreed proposal and budget.

The key results have an impact on the overall performance of the Country Office and success in the implementation of the project.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

“Hard” skills (Knowledge and Skills)

• Knowledge of justice sector context in Afghanistan, including issues and needs.
• Excellent project management skills with solid experience in managing and monitoring grants.
• Strong understanding of donor regulations and requirements, including major donors in the development and humanitarian sectors.
• Excellent organizational skills and experience with basic financial management skills including developing and monitoring budgets and financial reporting.
• Strong command over written and verbal communication.
• Familiarity with standard program/project and data management tools, as well as results-based management and monitoring and evaluation principles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with extensive experience drafting and editing documents in English.
• Verifiable experience with program budgeting and forecasting.
• Proven ability to see through tasks set and deliver results.
• Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel (including building financial formulas), and PowerPoint. Proficient use of other ICT and internet software.

Competencies

• Works well with others and actively participates.
• Shows good judgment in prioritizing assignments, planning work, and managing multiple deadlines.
• Shares information, contributes, encourages, and motivates others to become involved in team activities.
• Provides constructive feedback and willingly helps others. Contributes to a fair environment that fosters collaboration and cooperation.
• Acts as a role model and offers guidance to colleagues.
• Takes initiative to share knowledge, experiences, and information with others.
• Accepts and gives constructive feedback (up, down, and across) to develop and motivate others.
• Self-motivated and dynamic with a willingness and ability to use initiative to assist the organization in achieving its objectives.
• Asks questions, listens to others, and tailors language and tone to the environment.
• Keen sense of ethics, integrity, and commitment to IDLO’s mandate.

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in international development, law, public administration, business administration, project management, or other relevant social sciences.

Experience:

• At minimum eight years of verifiable relevant professional experience in the field of grants management with donors, and international organizations. Experience in working with organizations implementing programs in the areas of Rule of Law or Justice Sector Reform would be an advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Verifiable fluency in English and Dari and/or Pashto is required.

Location:

• The position will be based in Kabul and requires the ability and willingness to travel within Afghanistan.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome applications from qualified and diverse candidates.

IDLO is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance at all levels within its workforce. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for IDLO vacancies.

IDLO does not tolerate sexual exploitation or abuse, any kind of harassment, including harassment of a sexual nature, or discrimination. As such, IDLO will conduct careful reference and background checks of all selected candidates as part of its selection process.

The application deadline is 10 January 2024 (23.59 Hrs. Kabul time)